Human Rights Law

Course Outline

I. General Principles, Nature and Definition of Human Rights

A. Definition

B. Characteristics of Human Rights

C. Classification of Human Rights

1. According to Aspect of Rights

a. Civil
b. Political
c. Economic Rights
d. Social Rights
e. Cultural Rights

2. According to Struggle and Recognition

a. First Generation
b. Second Generation
c. Third Generation

3. According to Derogability

a. Absolute or non-derogable Rights

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 4

b. Derogable

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 4

D. Theories on Sources of Human Rights

1. religious or the theological approach

2. natural law theory
3. positivist theory

1
 4. theory of Marxism
5. sociological approach
6. utilitarian theory
7. theories of justice
8. theory based on equality and respect of human dignity

II. Constitutional Framework

A. State Policy

Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 11

B. Social Justice and Human Rights

Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Sections 1 and 2

B. Commission on Human Rights

Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Sections, 17, 18 and 19

Cases:

Carino vs. Commission on Human Rights, G. R. No. 96681, 2 December

1991
Simon vs. Commission on Human Rights, G.R. No. 100150 January 5, 1994

III. Relevant International Documents on Human Rights

A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

B. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
C. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
D. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment

1. Republic Act 9745

Cases:

Ang Ladlad vs. Comelec, G. R. No. 190582, 8 April 2010

Tecson vs. Glaxo, G.R. No. 162994, 17 September 2004

2
Star Paper vs. Simbol, G. R. No. 164774, 12 April 2006
Yrasuegui vs. Philippine Airlines, G. R. No. 168081, 17 October 2008
James Obergefell, et. al. vs. Richard Hodges, Supreme Court of the United
States Nos. 14-556, 14-562, 14-571 and 14-574, 28 June 2015

IV. Rights of Children

A. Philippine Constitution, Article II, Sections 12 and 13

B. Convention on the Rights of a Child
C. Republic Act No. 7610, An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and
Special Protection against Child Abuse
D. Republic Act No. 7658, An Act Prohibiting the Employment of Children
Below 15 Years of Age
E. Republic Act 9231, An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst
forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child
E. Republic Act No. 9344, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and
Amendments
F. Republic Act No. 10630
G. Republic Act 9775

Cases:

Sanchez vs. People, G.R. No. 179090, 5 June 2009

Amanquiton vs. People, G. R. No. 186080, 14 August 2009
Sierra y Caneda vs. People, G. R. No. 182941, 3 July 2009
Padua vs. People, G. R. No. 168546, 23 July 2008
People vs. Roxas, G. R. No. 200793, 4 June 2014
Ortega vs. People, G. R. No. 151085, 20 August 2008

V. Rights of the Elderly

A. Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 4

B. Republic Act 7876, Senior Citizen’s Act
C. Republic Act No. 9257, Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003
D. Republic Act No. 9994, Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
E. Republic Act No. 10645

Case:
Carlos Superdrug vs. DSWD, G.R. No. 166494, 29 June 2007
Manila Memorial Park vs. Secretary of DSWD, G. R. No. 175356, 3 December
2013

3
VI. Rights of the Persons with Disabilities

A. Republic Act No. 7277, Magna Carta for the Disabled

B. Republic Act 9442
C. Republic Act No. 10070, An Act Establishing An Institutional
Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for
Persons with Disabilities in Every Province, City and Municipality
D. Republic Act 10754

Case:

Bernardo vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 122917, July 12, 1999

VII. Rights of Indigenous People

A. Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Section 17

B. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 27
C. Republic Act 8371, Indigenous People Right Act
D. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)

Case:
City Government of Baguio vs. Masweng, G. R. No. 180206, 4 February
2009
Central Mindanao University vs. Honorable Executive Secretary, G. R. No.
184869, 21 September 2010

VIII. Rights of Women

A. Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 14

Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Section 14
B. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women
C. Republic Act No. 7877, Anti-Sexual Harassment Act
D. Republic Act No. 6955, Anti-Mail Order Brides
E. Republic Act No. 9710, Magna Carta of Women
F. Republic Act 9262, Violence Against Women and Children Act
G. A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC October 19, 2004, Rule on Violence Against
Women and Their Children

Cases:

4
Go-Tan vs. Spouses Tan, G. R. No. 168852, 30 September 2008
Ang vs. Court of Appeals, G. R. No. 182835, 20 April 2010
Dolina vs. Vallecera, G.R. No. 182367 December 15, 2010
Jacutin vs. People, G. R. No. 140604, 6 March 2002
People vs. Genosa, G. R. No. 135981, 15 January 2004
Karen Vertido Case, CEDAW/C/46/D/18/2008
Garcia vs. Drilon, G. R. No. 179267, 25 June 2013

IX. Urban Poor

A. Republic Act 7279, Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992

B. Republic Act, 9397, An Act Amending Section 12 of Republic Act 7279

Case:

City of Manila vs. Tan Te, G. R. No. 169263, 21 September 2011

Galay vs. Court of Appeals, G. R. No. 120132, 4 December 1995

X. Remedies for Human Rights Violations

A. United Nations

B. International Tribunals

1. International Tribunal for Violations of Humanitarian Law

2. International Criminal Court Rome Statute

Case:

Bayan Muna vs. Romulo, G. R. No. 159618, 1 February 2011

C. Domestic Tribunals

1. Commission on Human Rights---Investigatory

Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Sections, 17, 18 and 19

2. Criminal

3. Civil

5
Article 32, Civil Code

4. Writ of Amparo

Rules on the Writ of Amparo, 24 October 2007, A.M. No. 07-9-12-SC

RA 10353 which is An Act Defining and Penalizing Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearance
Cases:

Secretary of National Defense vs. Manalo, G. R. No. 180906, 7 October 2008

Tapuz vs Del Rosario,G.R. No. 182484. June 17, 2008
Roxas vs Macapagal-Arroyo, G.R. No. 189155. September 7, 2010
Rubrico vs. Macapagal- Arroyo, G.R. No. 183871. February 18, 2010
Salcedo vs. Bollozos, A.M. No. RTJ-10-2236. July 5, 2010
Razon vs Tagitis, G.R. No. 182498. December 3, 2009
Yano vs Sanchez, G.R. No. 186640. February 11, 2010

5. Rules on the Writ of Habeas Data, A.M. NO. 08-1-16-SC

Castillo vs Cruz , G.R. No. 182165. November 25, 2009

Roxas vs Macapagal-Arroyo, G.R. No. 189155. September 7, 2010
Meralco vs Lim, G.R. No. 184769. October 5, 2010
Vivares vs. St. Theresa’s College, G. R. No. 202666, 29 September 2014