FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Senate Bill No. 1145 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cases of human rights violations continue to be committed in the Philippines 
today. A large number of cases of harassment, torture, abduction and extra judicial 
executions continue to occur in our country and have been reported in the media. These 
atrocities are perpetrated not only by members of our law enforcement agencies but 
also by civilians as well, 
Article XIV, Section 3(2) of the Constitution provides that: 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 our country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical 
and spiritual values. 
Likewise, Sections 17, 18 and 19 of Article XIII of the Constitution states that: the 
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was created to ensure the protection and 
promotion of, and respect for human rights through continuous' human rights education, 
investigation of human rights violations and monitoring of compliance of the government 
with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights 
covenants and agreements. 
Executive Order No. 27 was also issued on July 24, 1986 that provides for, 
among others, the utilization of the system of formal and informal education to gain and 
inculcate greater respect for human rights and deter the commission of human rights 
violations. 
However, eighteen (18) years have passed and human rights education among 
our youth has not yet been fully implemented. 
Through this bill it is the hoped that with the institutionalization of the continuing 
education on respect for and the protection and promotion of human rights in our 
educational system, respect for the rights of others and the rule of law, an 
understanding of the serious consequences of, and the avenues for redress from 
violations thereof, we'll finally see light in our country. 
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANNYVLLAR 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1145 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING RESPECT FOR AND FOSTERING HUMAN RIGHTS 
IN THE SYSTEM OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher 
, 
Education shall include the study and understanding f human rights in the curricula of all 
levels of education and training in all school in the country, adapting the scope and 
treatment of the subjects or courses on human rights to the respective educational 
levels. It shall likewise initiate an maintain regular programs and special projects to 
provide venues for information and discussion of human rights including the utilization of 
informal education and other means to stress the importance of respect therefore. 
SEC. 2. In the formulation and creation of the courses or subjects on human 
rights to be included in the school curricula pr their educational or training programs to 
implement and carry out the provision of this Act, the writing, printing and publication of 
textbooks, manuals and other reading materials relative thereto, the Department of 
Education and the Commission on Higher Education shall consult, coordinate and 
collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights, human rights non-governmental 
organizations and people's organizations, and shall at all times emphasize the principles 
of human rights as they relate to practical conditions, and the laws and rules governing 
the same. 
SEC. 3. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, 
after considering the needs and capabilities of the students in the different educational 
levels, shall include in the curricula subjects or courses dealing with international 
agreements, declarations or covenants on human rights which were ratified by the 
Philippines or to which it is a signatory. 
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SEC. 4. No textbook, manual or other reading materials shall be used in the 
above-mentioned courses on human rights prior consultation, coordination and 
collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights and human rights non-
governmental organizations and people's organizations. 
SEC. 5. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, 
in consultation, coordination and collaboration .wit the Commission on Human Rights, 
Congress 
and 
human 
rights 
non-governmental 
organizations 
and 
people's 
organizations, shall prepare the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 6. This Act shall be initially implemented within the framework of the budget 
of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education for the year it 
is enacted into law. As far as practicable, the funds required therefore shall be drawn 
from its appropriation for policy formulation, program planning, standards development 
and institutional materials development. 
Subsequently, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the budget of the Department of Education and the Commission 
on Higher Education in the general appropriations act of the year following its 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
SEC. 7. All laws or any part thereof, inconsistent herewith shall be deemed 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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