Our constitution is based on the American constitution which has the Jury System as the fundamental principle in their constitution, that is_ “to judge and be judged by their own peers”.
The Jury System was omitted when our colonisers set up our constitution in 1902 because it will give us power equal to theirs. We were the colonized not the colonizers! (Show photo of American Bill of Rights V Philippine Organic Act)
What was the result of this omission?
Our Constitution is like a jigsaw puzzle which cannot be completed because of a missing piece. A better analogy is a person with a missing front tooth. At first, only his self-confidence is affected. In time, the gum structure near the missing tooth weakens and other teeth start falling off.
Just imagine if you are the person. Will you not lose self-confidence? With your self-confidence ruined, will you be able to function well?
WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS EMPOWER US TO ADOPT THE JURY SYSTEM?
Although Jury System is not in our constitution, there are provisions which pave the way to its inclusion.
Article II Section 1 states:
“The Philippines is a Democratic and Republican state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”
As a Democratic country, we the people are given the right to one and only one vote in an election. However, this is the right that we sell to predatory candidates who have mastered the art of fooling the Filipino people all the time.
As a Republican country, we have two (2) more votes to spare:
- The right to vote in a GRAND JURY and
- The right to vote in a TRIAL JURY.
Therefore, Article 2 Sec 1 of the constitution empowers the people the right to a Jury System.
Article VI Sec. 32 states that:
“The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten percent of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least 3 per centum of the registered voters thereof.”
In response to Article VI Sec.32, Congress passed: –
Republic Act No. 6735 also known as Initiative and Referendum Act. It states that:
“The power of the people under a system of initiative and referendum to directly propose, enact, approve or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws, ordinances or resolutions passed by any legislative body upon compliance with the requirements of this Act is hereby affirmed, recognized and guaranteed.
THEREFORE, as affirmed, recognized and guaranteed by RA 6735, we, the Filipino people, are invoking Article VI Sec. 32 of the 1987 Constitution and enact a
NATIONAL JURY LAW aka NATIONAL JURY SYSTEM ACT.
SO HELP US GOD.