Why Have a Bill of Duties to Complement the Bill of Rights—A Primer
By Jose V. Abueva
In its Draft Constitution for a Federal Republic of the Philippines with a Parliamentary Government, the Citizens’ Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP) proposed a New Bill of Duties and Obligations to complement the Bill of Rights in the 1987 Constitution
(Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations, CMFP Draft Constitution)
We argued that, together, the Article on the Bill of Rights and the proposed Article on the Bill of Duties and Obligation, would be very helpful in our civic education and the training of responsible and accountable citizens and leaders. While respecting freedom of worship and expression, we also urged that citizens should be encouraged and assisted by concerned leaders and institutions in their voluntary spiritual development—to round out their civic and political education.
Our society seems to suffer from an excess of selfish individualism, (Wala akong paki-alam sa inyo. Bahala na kayo.); materialism (materialismo, hindi espiritual); and secularism (makamundo, hindi maka-Diyos).
On the other hand, we have these important reminders over many years.
“Bayan muna, bago ang sarili! This is a nationalistic reminder to all Filipinos as a sign of our love of country.
As Jose Rizal said: “…the thought of my whole life has always been love of my country and her moral and material development.” (1892)
In his Dekalogo (1893), Andres Bonifacio said: “Always bear in mind that the true love of God is the love of country, and that this love is also the true love of thy fellowmen.”
Apolinario Mabini said: “Procure thy country’s happiness before thine own, making her a kingdom of reason, justice and labor, for if she is happy, happy will also be thou and thy family.” (1898)
For his part, Manuel L. Quezon said: “ We must imbue our whole citizenry with a spirit of heroic patriotism. For a country as small and with such limited wealth as the Philippines, ordinary patriotism is not enough to insure its security. Heroic patriotism is necessary—a patriotism that is devotion, loyalty, and courage that rises to the heights of self-sacrifice.” (1939).
To the Catholic Church: “Filipinism, which is nationalism for Filipinos, means hard work and generous sacrifice for the welfare of the Philippines in the temporal order, genuine love of Filipino culture in its nobler aspects, sincere appreciation of our historic past, honesty in public as well as in private life, mutual cooperation in common endeavors, scrupulous administration of public affairs, faithful compliance with laws, unselfish acceptance of the burden of services required by the nation, payment of taxes and sincere love for national symbols and institutions.” (1959)
And as John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
Therefore, as citizens in a developing democracy we should balance our emphasis on individual rights and privileges with a much stronger sense of collective and communitarian duties and obligations. In this way many more citizens can become patriotic, responsible and effective—in solidarity with our kapwa Pilipino. We can build a cohesive national community and a peaceful, just and humane society.
Citizens of progressive nations like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, the Scandinavian countries, and Germany have a deep sense of their duties and obligations to the community and the nation.
Accordingly, the CMFP Draft Constitution has Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations immediately after Article IV. Bill of Rights. The 1935 Constitution and the 1987 Constitution do not have a Bill of Duties and Obligations of citizens. The CMFP is improving on Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations in the 1973 Constitution.
(Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations, CMFP Draft Constitution)
We argued that, together, the Article on the Bill of Rights and the proposed Article on the Bill of Duties and Obligation, would be very helpful in our civic education and the training of responsible and accountable citizens and leaders. While respecting freedom of worship and expression, we also urged that citizens should be encouraged and assisted by concerned leaders and institutions in their voluntary spiritual development—to round out their civic and political education.
Our society seems to suffer from an excess of selfish individualism, (Wala akong paki-alam sa inyo. Bahala na kayo.); materialism (materialismo, hindi espiritual); and secularism (makamundo, hindi maka-Diyos).
On the other hand, we have these important reminders over many years.
“Bayan muna, bago ang sarili! This is a nationalistic reminder to all Filipinos as a sign of our love of country.
As Jose Rizal said: “…the thought of my whole life has always been love of my country and her moral and material development.” (1892)
In his Dekalogo (1893), Andres Bonifacio said: “Always bear in mind that the true love of God is the love of country, and that this love is also the true love of thy fellowmen.”
Apolinario Mabini said: “Procure thy country’s happiness before thine own, making her a kingdom of reason, justice and labor, for if she is happy, happy will also be thou and thy family.” (1898)
For his part, Manuel L. Quezon said: “ We must imbue our whole citizenry with a spirit of heroic patriotism. For a country as small and with such limited wealth as the Philippines, ordinary patriotism is not enough to insure its security. Heroic patriotism is necessary—a patriotism that is devotion, loyalty, and courage that rises to the heights of self-sacrifice.” (1939).
To the Catholic Church: “Filipinism, which is nationalism for Filipinos, means hard work and generous sacrifice for the welfare of the Philippines in the temporal order, genuine love of Filipino culture in its nobler aspects, sincere appreciation of our historic past, honesty in public as well as in private life, mutual cooperation in common endeavors, scrupulous administration of public affairs, faithful compliance with laws, unselfish acceptance of the burden of services required by the nation, payment of taxes and sincere love for national symbols and institutions.” (1959)
And as John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
Therefore, as citizens in a developing democracy we should balance our emphasis on individual rights and privileges with a much stronger sense of collective and communitarian duties and obligations. In this way many more citizens can become patriotic, responsible and effective—in solidarity with our kapwa Pilipino. We can build a cohesive national community and a peaceful, just and humane society.
Citizens of progressive nations like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, the Scandinavian countries, and Germany have a deep sense of their duties and obligations to the community and the nation.
Accordingly, the CMFP Draft Constitution has Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations immediately after Article IV. Bill of Rights. The 1935 Constitution and the 1987 Constitution do not have a Bill of Duties and Obligations of citizens. The CMFP is improving on Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations in the 1973 Constitution.
What is the proposed Article V. Bill of Duties and Obligations in the CMFP Draft Constitution?
Section 1. Loyalty, obedience, cooperation. It shall be the duty of the citizen to be loyal to the Federal Republic of the Philippines and to honor the Philippine flag, to defend the State and contribute to its development and welfare, to uphold the Constitution and obey the laws, pay taxes, and to cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and preservation of a peaceful, just and orderly society.
Section 2. Correlative duty. The rights of the individual impose upon him or her the correlative duty to exercise them responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.
Section 3. Human life, dignity, rights. Citizens shall respect the life and dignity of every human person and help uphold human rights whenever these are threatened or violated. The State and the citizens shall prevent and prohibit the killing of humans in any form and for whatever purpose.
Section 4. Duty to work. It shall be the duty of every citizen to engage in gainful work and to work well to assure himself/herself and his/her family a life worthy of human dignity.
Section 5. Civic, political participation. It shall be the duty and obligation of every citizen qualified to vote to register and cast his or her vote at every election, to participate actively in other public and civic affairs, and to contribute to good governance, honesty and integrity in the public service and the vitality and viability of democracy. Citizens shall enhance their civic efficiency and political effectiveness by their involvement in people’s organizations, non-governmental organizations, civic and professional associations, community associations, or political parties, as well as in discussions on public issues.
Section 6. Promote equity, social justice. In their own homes, in the workplace, and in their various organizations and institutions, citizens shall cooperate in the promotion of equity and social justice for the good of all.
Section 7. Responsibility of youth. The youth shall assume their responsibility in developing their social, economic, intellectual and moral well-being. They shall develop their patriotism and nationalism and their civic and political competence in order to serve the common good and national interest and their own welfare.
Section 8. Health, ecology, environment. Citizens shall exercise their right to a balanced and healthful ecology, and contribute to the maintenance of a clean, enjoyable and sustainable environment.
What was finally approved by the Consultative Commission on the proposed Bill of Duties and Obligations of the CMFP as submitted by the author? This is what was finally approved by the Consultative Commission.
Article V. Bill of Duties
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of every citizen to be loyal to the Republic of the Philippines, honor the Philippine Flag, defend the State, contribute to its development and welfare, uphold the Constitution and obey the laws, pay taxes, and cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and maintenance of the rule of law and of a peaceful, just, humane and orderly society.
SECTION 2. The rights of the individual impose upon him the correlative duty to exercise them responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.
SECTION 3. Citizens and the State shall at all times respect the life and dignity of every human person and uphold human rights.
SECTION 4. Citizens shall participate actively in public and civic affairs, and contribute to good governance, honesty and integrity in the public service and the vitality and viability of democracy.
Article V. Bill of Duties
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of every citizen to be loyal to the Republic of the Philippines, honor the Philippine Flag, defend the State, contribute to its development and welfare, uphold the Constitution and obey the laws, pay taxes, and cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and maintenance of the rule of law and of a peaceful, just, humane and orderly society.
SECTION 2. The rights of the individual impose upon him the correlative duty to exercise them responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.
SECTION 3. Citizens and the State shall at all times respect the life and dignity of every human person and uphold human rights.
SECTION 4. Citizens shall participate actively in public and civic affairs, and contribute to good governance, honesty and integrity in the public service and the vitality and viability of democracy.
posted by Dr. Jose V. Abueva at 8:14 PM
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