Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. gos)

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO
5th District, Batangas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon which one
can use to change the world. It is for this reason that education has always been a
constant priority of the governments of the world, Education is seen as the key to
fighting corruption, In this day and age, corruption is not just a problem. It can also be
seen as the result of a much bigger problem—the lack of a strong moral foundation.
The importance of character formation is evident in education. Thus, education has
been deemed an effective tool in nurturing one’s ethical behavior.

The primary purpose of schooling includes cognitive development and character
formation! The role of educational institution in cognitive development and
character formation is expressly recognized in our own Constitution. Article XIV,
Section 3 (2) of the 1987 Constitution provides:

All educational institutions shall inculcate patriotism
and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human
rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the
historical development of the country, teach the rights and
duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values,
develop moral character and personal discipline,
encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific
and technological knowledge, and promote vocational
efficiency.

It is the latter that this bill seeks to further develop. Character formation helps
shape attitudes and behaviors, reflected in such values as honesty, integrity, respect,
responsibility, self-discipline, and reliability, ‘cognitive-academic’ and ‘character
development” prepares students for work, for further education, for lifelong learning
and for citizenship?

+ Michael, 0. CHARACTER AND MORAL EDUCATION: A TOOL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION,
retrieved February 23, 2017 from http://www.eacc.go.ke/PRESSRELEASES.ASP?1D=418&cat=speeches
ibid.

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It is clear, therefore, that schools are obliged to guarantee knowledgeable
individuals of good character especially in an environment where not only is
corruption a major problem but also one which is embedded in our culture. It is for
this reason that reforms, like the adoption of programs for values education and
anti-corruption modules for elementary and high school students, in our educational
system were introduced. As time went by, however, these reforms were considered
ineffectual.

This bill seeks to address the inefficacy of the previous reforms by creating a

more defined course on Ethics and make it compulsory at all levels of elementary and

secondary education, at every college, and a compulsory course for every profession.
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

‘

MARIO RIO VEY” A. MARINO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 4681

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO
5th District, Batangas

AN ACT MAKING A SEPARATE COURSE ON ETHICS
COMPULSORY AT ALL LEVELS OF ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND IN EVERY DEGREE COURSE IN
ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Compulsory Teaching of
Ethics Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to inculcate and
strengthen the ethics and values of its citizens through the educational system.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms
shall mean:

A. Ethics — conformity to the accepted, honorable, and professional standards of
conduct in government and in private life;

B. Values — normative standards which influence human beings in their choice
among their alternative courses of action;

C. DepEd — Department of Education;

D. CHED— Commission on Higher Education;

E. Elementary Education ~ the second stage of compulsory basic education
which is composed of six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically
six (6) years old;

F. Bridge Program — an intensive one-year program focused on three foundation

subjects namely English, Science, and Math. It enables students to become
fully prepared for secondary education curriculum;


G. Secondary Education — refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education.
It consists of four (4) year junior high school education and two (2) years of
senior high school education. The entrant age to the junior and senior high
school levels are typically twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively;
and

H. University — all institutions for higher learning with teaching and research
facilities constituting a graduate school and professional schools that award
master’s degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards
bachelor’s degrees.

SECTION 4. Compulsory Teaching a Separate Subject Called Ethics - The
teaching of a separate subject called Ethics shall be compulsory at all levels of:
elementary education; bridge program; secondary education; and in all degree
programs offered by colleges and universities. Ail colleges and universities shall
provide a compulsory 3-unit Ethics course for every profession, e.g., Legal Ethics for
law schools, Medical Ethics for medical schools, Military Ethics for the Philippine
Military Academy and other military schools, etc.

SECTION 5. Ethics and Values formation Syllabus. —

A. Public Morality. - The main syllabus should include the following six levels
of public morality:

a. Basic Honest and Conformity to Law. — This level describes the basic
adherence to the constitution, laws, ordinances, and moral codes that
is expected from all members of a group or society;

b. Conflicts of Interest. — This level deals with the conflict between
advancing the public interest which a public official is charged to do,
and advancing one’s self-interest;

¢. Service Orientation and Procedural Fairness. — This level deals with
the responsibility of public officials to ensure that their actions serve
the public and that the power they wield is used only for that purpose.
This concentrates on procedural safeguards to prevent abuse of
authority and on moral obligation of public servants;

d. Ethics of Democratic Responsibility. ~ This level deals with the public
officials, either elected or appointed, to make moral choices consistent
with their own values and will of the people;

e. Ethics of Public Policy Determination. - This level concerns making
moral judgments about public policies in which equity and fairness are
important considerations;

f. Ethics of Compromise and Social Integration. — This level entails the
necessity of give and take, and compromise in a society with
irreconcilable differences on fundamental issues.

B. Supplementary Topics. - The curriculum should have additional topics and
studies on the causes, issues, and effects of graft and corruption in the
Philippines and in other parts of the world, and suggested measures to
reform a corrupt environment.


C. Other Subject Matters. — Other areas of Ethics and Values formation may be
included in the syllabus, provided that it will not be made in preference of
any religion and belief, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

SECTION 6. Implementing Agencies. - The Secretary of Education and the
Commissioners of CHED are hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Act. The Secretary of Education and
the CHED Commissioners shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate the rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry
‘out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. Educational Materials. - It shall be obligatory on all schools,
colleges, and universities to keep in their libraries and adequate number of copies of
the textbooks, primers, and leaflets on Ethics to be issued by the DepEd and the
CHED. The DepEd and CHED shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college, or university.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part thereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree ot issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to, or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Efectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.