Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION 
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV, Section 3 (1&2) of the Philippine Constitution provides that: 
1)
All educational institutions shall include the study of the
Constitution as part of the curricula;
2)
They shall inculcate patriotism, 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 efficiency.
It is, however, alarming that the human rights situation in the country 
has deteriorated1 in the past years. Endemic human rights violations 
continued to wreak havoc among families and individuals, whether through 
sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, discrimination, internal displacement, 
and many other defilements. Even more concerning is that despite frequent 
media coverage, many of our countrymen remain unaware that these actions 
constitute grave violations of our human rights, nor do they know how to seek 
redress and protection.   
1 Human Rights Watch. July 24, 2020 https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021   Accessed Online on August 24, 2022 
August 12, 2025
9:44 am
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Teaching every citizen their basic human rights not only provides them 
the knowledge about human rights and the mechanisms to protect them, but 
more importantly, imparts the skills needed to promote, defend, and apply 
human rights in daily life. Now more than ever, every Filipino – regardless of 
age- must be equipped with a clear  
As it is the States’ responsibility to uphold the human rights of its 
citizens, this proposed legislation mandates the detailed study of human 
rights as part of the curriculum of all educational institutions in the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION 
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Human Rights Education 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Mandatory Human Rights Education. – All public and private 
schools shall include human rights courses in their curricula. The 
Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the Commission on 
Human Rights (CHR), shall formulate courses on human rights education to 
be taught as separate courses or incorporated in existing subjects now being 
taught in all levels of education throughout the country. 
SECTION 3. Human Rights Education Reading Materials. The DepEd, 
shall consult and coordinate with the CHR in the writing, printing, and 
publication of textbooks, manuals, and other reading materials to be used in 
the human rights courses. 
SECTION 4. Appropriation. – This Act shall be implemented initially within 
the framework of the budget of the DepEd, for the year it is enacted into law. 
As far as practicable, the funds required therefore shall be drawn from its 
appropriations for policy formulation, program planning, standards 
development, and instructional materials development. Thereafter, such 
amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the budget of the DepEd, in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd, in 
consultation with the Commission on Human Rights, shall, within sixty (60) 
days from the approval of this Act, prepare the implementing rules and 
regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or 
contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or 
repealed accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,