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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
TO INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE IN THE 
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND 
UNIVERSITIES, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV, Section 3 (3) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides: “At the 
option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be allowed to be taught 
to their children or wards in public and elementary and high schools within the regular class 
hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of the religion to 
which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to the government.” 
This constitutional provision is very clear. Religion may be taught in schools 
as long as the “consent in writing by the parents or guardians” and “no cost to the 
government” conditions, among others, are met.   
The 1987 Constitution also declares as a State Policy that: "the State recognizes 
the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their 
physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being" (Sec. 13, Art. II); and 
"All educational institutions shall teach the rights and duties of citizenship, 
strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal 
discipline (Secs. 3(1) and (2), Art. XIV).  
Teaching the Bible as literature in our schools is allowed under these 
Constitutional provisions. Although the Supreme Court ruled that students could 
not be forced to study the Bible for religious purposes, they are allowed to study the 
Bible as they would literature in order to understand its influence, language, and 
artistic legacy.  
In the English language, more references are made to the Bible than to any 
other work of literature. Its number of references even beats out Greek and Roman 
mythology. Allusions to the Bible permeate our artwork, our music, our literature, 
our conversation, and even pop culture.  In spite of the ever-present influence of the 
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Bible, many students lack a basic familiarity with the Bible, its stories, and its 
language.  
A critical study of the Bible as literature can prepare students with the 
thinking skills needed in the 21st century. As an all-time bestseller, the Bible has had 
a profound impact on history, literature, and culture. It remains a vital part of the life 
of Filipinos. 
Reading the Bible as literature in public schools does not violate the 
Constitution nor our hallowed notions of the separation of church and state.  The 
Supreme Court has made that clear on multiple occasions.  The Bible may 
constitutionally be used in an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, 
comparative religion, or the like. 
It is in this light that this bill is introduced to implement these Constitutional 
provisions. 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
TO INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE IN THE 
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND 
UNIVERSITIES, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
session assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bible Reading Act of 
2025.” 
SEC. 2.  Statement of Policy.  While it is constitutional for schools to teach about 
religion, it is unconstitutional to use public funds to advance particular religious 
beliefs. Thus, the school's approach to religion should be academic, not devotional.  
This Act, therefore, sets out the following basic policies:  
The schools may strive for student awareness of religions, but should not 
press for student acceptance of any religion. 
The schools may teach the Bible NOT for religious purposes, but only as they 
would teach literature in order to understand its influence, language, and artistic 
legacy.  
The schools may educate about all religions, but may not promote or 
denigrate any religion. 
SEC. 3. Integration into Curriculum. The Department of Education (DepEd) and 
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall include in the prescribed 
curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, public or private -- the reading and 
study of the Bible as literature. 
SEC. 4. Implementation and Regulatory Authority. The DepEd and the CHED are 
hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry 
out the provisions of this Act, including the writing and printing of appropriate 
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primers, readers, and textbooks. The DepED and CHED shall, within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of 
a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. They shall 
promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for 
reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement 
of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their 
publication in the Official Gazette. 
 
SEC. 5. Availability of the Bible and Inclusion in Academic Resources. All schools, 
colleges, and universities are encouraged to maintain an adequate number of Bible 
copies in their libraries as a standard literary and historical reference. The Bible shall 
also be included in the list of approved books for academic reading in both public 
and private educational institutions. 
 
SEC. 6.  Repealing Clause.  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 7.  Effectivity.  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved,