NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM
COACH (DO AND THINK)
Let us proceed. Don’t forget to take your time to read and understand all the important information you
need to know. Also, please highlight salient points/information to help you remember.
MAIN LESSON
What is a Human Dignity?
At its most basic, the concept of human dignity is the belief that all people hold a special value that’s
tied solely to their humanity. It has nothing to do with their class, race, gender, religion, abilities, or any
other factor other than them being human.
The State has the duty to safeguard and assure the dignity of its peoples as individuals and as
members of communities and ensure their capacity for self-development.
The State should formulate policies, enact laws and provide mechanisms that are in conformity
with universal human rights standards.
The diversity and plurality of the Philippines must be safeguarded through respect and tolerance.
The State must respect and promote harmony and understanding between and among
individuals, communities and peoples.
It must uphold non-discrimination among peoples regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion,
gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, social beliefs and political convictions.
Cultural traditions and institutionalized power shall not serve as justification for any form of
violence, abuse, neglect, or deprivation of human and peoples’ rights.
What is a Human Right?
Human rights are norms that aspire to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and
social abuses. Examples of human rights are the right to freedom of religion, the right to a fair trial when
charged with a crime, the right not to be tortured, and the right to education.
RIGHTS OF A FILIPINO CITIZEN
CIVIL RIGHTS
We have the right to life, liberty, security and property. We have the right to a transparent, credible,
competent and impartial justice system, free from influence and corruption, where wrongs are redressed
and justice is dispensed fairly, speedily and equitably. We must have equal access to the courts and
adequate legal assistance. We must be treated equally before the law regardless of our political, social
and economic status.
NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM
POLITICAL RIGHTS
We have the right to live in a democracy and are entitled to enjoy its benefits. The right to meaningful
representation, participation and decision-making about individual and community concerns shall be
recognized and maintained. The protection of life, liberty and property, the upliftment of economic
conditions and the promotion of the general welfare are essential prerequisites of a truly democratic
society.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
We have the right to enjoy the highest standard of health. The State shall ensure that its citizens shall be
adequately nourished and free from hunger. The State has the obligation to establish a responsive social
housing program and protect the people from unjust evictions from their homes. Protection and
assistance shall be accorded marginalized families and vulnerable sectors of society.
ECONOMIC RIGHTS
We have the right to a nationalistic and independent economic policy protected from foreign domination
and intrusion. We have the right to a self-reliant economy based on national industrialization. We have
the right to resist all forms of oppressive and unreasonable trade liberalization, to oppose a subservient
debt management strategy, and to repudiate all foreign debts that do not benefit the people. The State
shall develop efficient and effective debt management strategies that will benefit the people and shall
give preferential treatment to local capital.
COLLECTIVE RIGHTS
We have the right to self-determination. This right provides us with the freedom to develop ourselves as
peoples, preserve our culture and retain our national identity.
Our peoples shall not be coerced into assimilation, nor shall force evacuation, dislocation and
displacement resulting from development aggression and other State policies should be allowed.
We have the right to resist any form of political, economic, social or cultural domination by
resorting to any legitimate means.
Human rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible. They are dynamic and continue to evolve
in response to the growing needs, concerns and aspirations of individuals and communities. These
rights are enriched in the course of the struggle for their full recognition.
The human and peoples’ rights affirmed in this declaration are wholly consistent with
contemporary international standards. Nothing in this declaration shall be used to negate or deny
any other rights – whether specified or inferred found in national or international human rights
instruments.
The Human and Peoples' Rights Declaration of the Philippines is being use as the contribution of the
Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism to the drafting of the ASEAN Human Rights
Declaration.
