ReviewTayoSign inCreate account
General Information lesson

The Bill of Rights in Plain Words

What the Bill of Rights (Article III) protects, section by section, in everyday words; which rights belong to a person under investigation, to an accused, and to everyone; plus the difference between the principles and the state policies of Article II.

30 min read · Professional and Sub-Professional

What it is

The Bill of Rights is Article III of the 1987 Constitution. It lists the freedoms that the government may not take away from any person. It answers one question: what can the State NOT do to me?

This lesson also covers Article II, which lists the basic principles of the State (Sections 1 to 6) and the state policies it aims for (Sections 7 to 28).

Why it matters on the exam

Exam items on these articles are short recall items: "Which right is this?", "Which section?", "All of the following are rights EXCEPT". The traps borrow rights from other countries (the right to bear arms), mix up the rights of an accused with the rights of everyone, or move a policy into the Bill of Rights.

As a government worker, you will deal with the public every day. Knowing these limits helps you respect them.

Rule 1 of 8Article II principles (Sections 1-6)
The first six sections of Article II are the principles of the State: (1) the country is democratic and republican, and sovereignty belongs to the people (sovereignty resides in the people); (2) it renounces war as an instrument of national policy and adopts the generally accepted principles of international law; (3) civilian authority is supreme over the military; (4) the prime duty of government is to serve and protect the people, and citizens may be required to give military or civil service; (5) peace and order and the general welfare are essential; (6) the separation of Church and State is inviolable. Sections 7 to 28 are state policies.
Worked example 1 of 5Principle or policy?
Which of the following is one of the PRINCIPLES (not state policies) in Article II?
  1. The State shall protect the rights of the youth.
  2. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.
  3. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building.
  4. The State shall protect the right to a balanced and healthful ecology.
  5. The State shall give priority to education.
Step 1 · Recall the splitSections 1-6 are principles; Sections 7-28 are state policies.
Read the full lesson

The rest of this lesson, and every other lesson, is part of ReviewTayo.

Read more

In the full lesson

  • How to recognize it on the test
  • What to look for (4 checks)
  • All 8 rules and tools
  • 5 worked examples, every step explained
  • 6 common mistakes and how to fix them
  • 3 exam techniques
  • Remember: 6 key points
  • Practice questions with explanations, and your progress saved
Not sure where to start?Take the diagnostic test and see your strongest and weakest subjects.Start
Start learning

More General Information lessons

ReviewTayo has 47 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.

The Constitution by the Numbers: Qualifications and Terms35 min · previewVotes That Matter: Majorities and Thresholds30 min · previewHow Things Happen: Bills, Succession, Martial Law, Impeachment, Amendments35 min · previewConstitutional Commissions, Local Government, Economy and Social Justice35 min · previewR.A. 6713: The Eight Norms, the Duties and Prohibited Acts30 min · previewR.A. 6713: SALN, Divestment and Penalties25 min · previewPeace and Human Rights30 min · previewEnvironmental Laws at a Glance35 min · previewWhat Changed: Updated Laws and Institutions20 min · preview
Browse all 47 lessonsSee full access
Filing opens November 2, 2026. Add the dates to my calendar