FIFTEENTH CONGRESS — i— =
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 2274

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article Ill, Section 5 provides that "No law shall be
made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof, and the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.”

The Civil Code, Article 32 further provides that any public officer or
employee, or any private individual, who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats,
violates or in any manner impedes or impairs the exercise of freedom of
religion of another person shall be liable to the latter for damages.

The above mandate, however, does not include any law that would
enforce the right to the free exercise of religion by students in public schools.
This bill seeks to enforce this right to the free exercise of religion of students in
public school by providing for the imposition of a civil liability to anyone caught
violating this right

In view hereof, immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly solicited.

RUFUS B. RIGUEZ

lh

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS y ‘seein icicle
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. _2274

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE FREE EXERCISE
OF RELIGION BY STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the "Student
Freedom of Religious Expression Act.”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to develop the moral character and personal discipline of the people.
Toward this end, it shall encourage certain activities in the exercise of religious
freedom upon the condition that all religious sects shall be accorded the same
privileges and opportunities.

SEC 3. Definition of Term - For purposes of this Act, the term religious
freedom means the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship, without discrimination or preference.

SEC 4. Free Exercise Rights Protected - Students in public schools —

(1) have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer
and religious discussions in or connected with schools as they
do to engage in other comparable activities;

(2) may express their beliefs about religion in the form of
homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments
free from discrimination based on the religious content of their
submissions;


“ey have a ight to distribute religious _literature— to their
schoolmates on the same terms as they are permitted to
distribute other literature that is unrelated to school curriculum
or activities; and

(4) may display or otherwise communicate religious messages,
including on items of clothing to the same extent they are
permitted to display or communicate other messages.

SEC 5. Civil Action - Any person aggrieved by a violation of Section 4
hereof may in a civil action obtain appropriate relief. Such an action may be
instituted against a governmental entity as well as against any person engaging
in the violation.

SEC 6. Establishment of Religious Freedom Hotline - The Secretary
of the Department of Justice shall establish, maintain and publicize a toll-free
number to provide timely and accurate information and respond to questions
regarding the rights protected by this Act.

SEC 7. Appropriation - The amount necessary to cary out the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the
Department of Education and the Department of Justice not yet earmarked for
the Fiscal Year this Act shall take effect. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 8. Separability Clause - |f any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

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

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

Approved,