Summary
Highlights
The lesson introduces community action core values, beginning with human rights and social justice. The objectives include defining these concepts, explaining how human rights are practiced in the Philippines, and discussing justice according to the Constitution.
Human rights have evolved significantly. Historically, they were not universally recognized, with privileges limited to select groups like royal families. Key milestones include the Magna Carta (1215), balancing the king's power and protecting citizens, and the English Bill of Rights (1689), which promoted freedoms and elections. Post-World War I, the League of Nations was formed to resolve international disputes, followed by the United Nations after World War II, which adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with 30 articles to restore human dignity.
The principles of human rights are enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, specifically in Article 3, known as the Bill of Rights. This document, adopted from the 1948 Universal Declaration, outlines a person's basic rights and privileges, designed to protect against violations by the government or individuals. The Bill of Rights contains 22 sections.
Important terms in the Bill of Rights include: 'Due process of law' (Section 1) ensuring fair methods before imprisonment; 'Search warrant' and 'Warrant of arrest' (Section 2) for lawful searches and arrests; 'Right of privacy' (Section 3) – the right to be left alone unless there are grounds for intervention; 'Freedom of expression' (Section 4), allowing free speech but with accountability for libel; 'Religious freedom' (Section 5), the right to worship without interference; 'Liberty of abode and travel' (Section 6); 'Access to official records' (Section 7) – the right to know government transactions; 'Right to form associations' (Section 8); 'Obligation of a contract' (Section 9) which binds parties to agreements; and 'Writ of habeas corpus' (Section 10) an order to produce a detained person and justify their custody.
Section 22 of the Bill of Rights prohibits 'ex post facto law,' which would retroactively criminalize an act or increase its punishment, and 'bill of attainder,' which would punish someone without a judicial trial. These prohibitions ensure fairness and due process.
Several government agencies address human rights: the Department of Justice, which investigates crimes, prosecutes offenders, and provides legal assistance; the Commission on Human Rights, an independent office investigating human rights violations; and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which protects the welfare of Filipino workers.
Social justice involves fair relations between individuals and society, measured by the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges. Article 13, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution promotes social justice through freedom of initiative and self-reliance.
Freedom of initiative is the ability to independently assess and act on community concerns, empowering individuals to drive change. Self-reliance is the ability to make independent decisions and have confidence in one's judgment, fostering leadership and carefully analyzed plans for community implementation.
In community action, social justice requires considering diverse characteristics and backgrounds to identify needs. Planning and decision-making should be democratic, consulting community members to create inclusive programs. No one should be excluded based on socioeconomic status, gender, age, or education, and there should be full involvement of community members in implementing plans.