PNPAE PNPA Knowledge — Philippine Law Basics & Bill of RightsCheat Sheet
A printable cheat sheet for Philippine Law Basics & Bill of Rights, built for PNPAE reviewers who want one go-to reference in the final stretch. Covers formulas, key definitions, common question types, and the Philippine National Police Academy-specific twists you will see on PNPAE day.
Exam context
For the Philippine National Police Academy Entrance Examination, Philippine National Police Academy tests PNPA Knowledge under a "Core" label, with Philippine Law Basics & Bill of Rights in the 1st slot across 3 chapters. PNPAE candidates must clear the Top scorers meeting regional quotas cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about a meaningful share of PNPA Knowledge questions. Date to watch: Q3 2026 (expected).
Philippine Law Basics & Bill of Rights - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Philippine Law Basics & Bill of Rights - covering all essential concepts for PNPAE success
Sections
Section Title
Sources and Hierarchy of Laws
Important Facts
- Hierarchy: Constitution > Treaties > Statutes > Executive Orders > Admin Regulations > Local Ordinances
- Lower law inconsistent with higher law is invalid
- Treaties need Senate concurrence to be valid
- Administrative regulations issued by executive agencies like PNP
Key Definitions
Term
Constitution
Example
All laws must conform to constitutional provisions
Definition
Supreme law of the land - 1987 Philippine Constitution
Term
Statutes
Example
Republic Act 3815 - Revised Penal Code
Definition
Laws passed by Congress like Revised Penal Code
Term
Precedent
Example
Miranda doctrine from US adapted to Philippine law
Definition
Supreme Court rulings that become binding law
Diagrams To Know
- Law hierarchy pyramid
- Three branches of government
Section Title
Criminal Law Basics
Important Facts
- Most crimes need both actus reus and mens rea
- Stages: Consummated (completed), Frustrated (not achieved), Attempted (commenced)
- Felonies vs Offenses (special penal laws)
- Crime classifications: against persons, property, chastity, public order
Key Definitions
Term
Crime
Example
Theft under Article 308 of Revised Penal Code
Definition
Act or omission punishable by law prosecuted by the state
Term
Actus Reus
Example
Taking someone else's property without consent
Definition
The criminal act - physical element of crime
Term
Mens Rea
Example
Intent to gain in theft cases
Definition
Criminal intent - mental element of crime
Term
Felony
Example
Homicide, theft, physical injuries
Definition
Crime under Revised Penal Code - intentional or negligent
Diagrams To Know
- Elements of crime flowchart
- Stages of crime execution
Section Title
Bill of Rights - Key Sections
Important Facts
- Section 1: Due process and equal protection
- Section 2: Search and seizure - warrant requirements
- Section 12: Custodial investigation rights
- Section 14: Rights of accused - presumption of innocence
- Section 17: Right against self-incrimination
- Section 21: No double jeopardy
Key Definitions
Term
Due Process
Example
Right to fair trial before conviction
Definition
No deprivation of life, liberty, property without proper legal procedure
Term
Probable Cause
Example
Required for search warrants and arrests
Definition
Reasonable belief that crime was committed and person committed it
Term
Miranda Rights
Example
You have the right to remain silent
Definition
Rights during custodial investigation - silence, counsel, informed of rights
Term
Double Jeopardy
Example
Acquitted of murder cannot be tried again for same killing
Definition
Cannot be tried twice for same offense
Diagrams To Know
- Bill of Rights sections overview
- Miranda rights procedure
Section Title
Search and Arrest Procedures
Important Facts
- Warrant requirements: probable cause, judge-issued, particular description
- Warrantless arrest: in flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, escaped prisoner
- Warrantless search: incident to arrest, plain view, consent, exigent circumstances
- Stop and frisk allowed on reasonable suspicion (limited)
- Evidence from illegal search is inadmissible
Key Definitions
Term
Search Warrant
Example
Judge-issued warrant to search specific house for drugs
Definition
Court order authorizing search based on probable cause
Term
Warrantless Search
Example
Search incident to lawful arrest
Definition
Legal search without warrant under specific circumstances
Term
Arrest Warrant
Example
Judge issues warrant based on complaint and evidence
Definition
Court order to arrest specific person for specific crime
Term
Citizen's Arrest
Example
Store owner arrests shoplifter caught in act
Definition
Private person arrests someone caught committing crime
Diagrams To Know
- Warrant vs warrantless procedures
- Search and seizure flowchart
Section Title
Special Penal Laws
Important Facts
- Special penal laws create offenses outside Revised Penal Code
- RA 10883 - New Anti-Carnapping Act
- RA 9745 - Anti-Torture Act
- RA 11313 - Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos)
- RA 11648 - raised age of sexual consent to 16
Key Definitions
Term
RA 9165
Example
Possession, sale, use of illegal drugs
Definition
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act - anti-drug law
Term
RA 9262
Example
Physical, sexual, psychological violence against women/children
Definition
Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act
Term
RA 10175
Example
Online fraud, identity theft, cybersex
Definition
Cybercrime Prevention Act - internet crimes
Term
RA 10591
Example
Illegal possession and manufacture of firearms
Definition
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act
Diagrams To Know
- Major special penal laws timeline
- Drug law enforcement procedure
Section Title
Court System
Important Facts
- Hierarchy: Supreme Court > Court of Appeals > RTC > MTC
- Specialized courts: Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, Sharia Courts
- Court of Appeals - intermediate appellate court
- Family courts handle domestic relations cases
Key Definitions
Term
Supreme Court
Example
Reviews death penalty cases, constitutional issues
Definition
Highest court - final interpreter of laws and Constitution
Term
Regional Trial Court
Example
Tries felony cases, civil cases over certain amounts
Definition
First-level courts of general jurisdiction
Term
Municipal Trial Court
Example
Traffic violations, small claims, preliminary investigations
Definition
Lower courts handling minor offenses and civil cases
Term
Sandiganbayan
Example
Plunder cases against government officials
Definition
Special court for graft and corruption cases of public officials
Diagrams To Know
- Philippine court system hierarchy
- Case flow through courts
Must Remember
- Miranda rights must be given during custodial investigation
- Search warrant needs probable cause and judge's signature
- Constitution is supreme law - all others must conform
- Warrantless arrest allowed only in flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, escaped prisoner
- Evidence from illegal search is inadmissible in court
- Right against self-incrimination - cannot be forced to testify against self
- Double jeopardy - cannot be tried twice for same offense
- Due process required before depriving life, liberty, property
- Police use of force must be necessary and proportionate
- Age of sexual consent in Philippines is 16 years old
Last Minute Tips
- Focus on Section 2 (search/seizure) and Section 12 (Miranda rights) - frequently tested
- Remember the three warrantless arrest situations: flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, escaped prisoner
- Know the difference between felonies (RPC) and offenses (special laws)
- Miranda rights apply only during custodial investigation, not general questioning
- Constitutional rights protect everyone, including suspects - police must respect these
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Standard procedure
- Exception - incident to arrest, plain view, consent
Property
Search
Values
- Standard procedure
- In flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, escaped prisoner
Property
Arrest
Values
- Probable cause, judge-issued
- Immediate circumstances, personal knowledge
Property
Requirements
Values
- Admissible if valid
- Admissible if exception applies
Property
Evidence
Columns
- Aspect
- With Warrant
- Without Warrant
Table Title
With Warrant vs Without Warrant
Rows
Values
- Revised Penal Code
- Special Penal Laws
Property
Source
Values
- Intentional or Negligent
- Various classifications
Property
Classification
Values
- Murder, theft, rape
- Drug possession, cybercrime, carnapping
Property
Examples
Values
- Imprisonment, fine, destierro
- Varies per special law
Property
Penalties
Columns
- Aspect
- Felonies
- Offenses
Table Title
Felonies vs Offenses
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