TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article III, 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. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 21, 2025
2:51 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
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;
(3)
have a right 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. 
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SEC 7. Appropriation - The amount necessary to carry 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 - If 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,