Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 319)
The purpose of Proclamation No. 319 is to declare Thursday, 21 September 2017 as a National Day of Protest in solidarity with the people's call against government excesses and shortcomings, and to uphold integrity, efficiency, and accountability in government.
Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution is highlighted, which guarantees the people's freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
The proclamation references the Martial Law era beginning with Proclamation No. (s. 1972), marked by gross human rights violations, arbitrary state interventions, rampant corruption, and disregard of civil liberties, as a historical example that the current government seeks not to repeat.
Protesters are urged to act within the bounds of the law, maintain peaceful conduct during rallies, marches and demonstrations, be vigilant against possible infiltrators aiming to provoke violence, and avoid causing undue inconvenience to fellow citizens.
Police and law enforcement authorities are ordered to observe maximum restraint, maintain sufficient distance necessary to allow full exercise of protesters' rights within the bounds of the law, and refrain from interfering unlawfully with peaceful assemblies.
All local government units are enjoined to dispense with permit requirements for holding public assemblies, marches, and demonstrations within their jurisdiction on the National Day of Protest.
It emphasizes that the Philippine government values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights as enshrined in Article II of the 1987 Constitution.
The proclamation creates a formal national recognition and facilitation of peaceful protests and public assemblies as a legitimate exercise of constitutional rights, including temporarily removing requirement of local permits for assemblies to encourage participation within legal bounds.
The proclamation urges vigilance against infiltrators who may incite violence to provoke police actions, which could undermine peaceful demonstrations and legal protections, thereby ensuring protests remain peaceful and lawful.