Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2265

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the mandatory teaching of the Constitution
in the elementary and high school in both public and private schools and
making the teaching of the Constitution in the college curriculum as a twelve
(12) unit course mandatory.

The Philippine Constitution has its roots not only in the past history of
the Filipino people but also in the Spanish and American political institutions.
The Constitution is the most important part in organizing a State. It states the
set of rules and principles which serve as the fundamental law of the land.
‘Among the guidelines which are set by the Constitution are the matters of
form and duties of the government, the distribution of powers of the branches
of the government and more importantly, the basic rights of the citizens of the
state.

However, generations today show that only a meager number of
Filipinos are familiar with the Constitution. In fact, a survey was conducted in
2003 and among those polled, 21% said they know almost nothing about the
Constitution, 54% said they know a little, 20% called their knowledge partial

but sufficient, and only 4% called their knewledge-extensive-—n-the. ABE. or.


better-off classes, 10% said their knowledge is extensive and 37% said it is
partial but sufficient, which still sums up to a minority. Similarly, in a Pulse
Asia report in March, 2006, at least 68% have littie or no knowledge at all of
the Constitution -

It only shows the lack of knowledge of the Filipinos specifically the
youth on the Constitution and that they need to be better informed about its
significance

Presently, in the secondary level, the study of the Constitution is only a
part of the Makabayan/Araling Panlipunan subject. In the college level, the
subject of Politics and Governance covers the Philippine Constitution with
only 3 units.

It is, therefore, necessary that the youth, who are the future leaders
and nation-builders, be imbibed and taught with the proper knowledge about
the Constitution as early as possible. In view of the fact that it is in the
classrooms where this development could be attained and consideririg that
young minds are more easily and better moulded for this noble task of nation-
building, it is eamestly suggested that the teaching of the Constitution be
mandatory in the elementary, in the secondary as well as in the tertiary level.

The political evolution and every significant event in the Philippine
history resulted to a change in the Constitution in as much as the Philippine
Constitution has been rewritten several times starting from the Biak-na-Bato
Constitution up to the 1987 Constitution. This only proves that as responsible
citizens of the Philippines, every Filipino should embrace not only in mind but
also in heart the real significance and importance of the Philippine

Constitution which has strong implications in our lives today and in the future.


In the light of the foregoing, immediate approval of this Bill is earnestly

sought.
li (\

ATTY. ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR.
Representative
Lone District of the City of Dasmarinas


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
- First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2265

Introduced by Honorable Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr.

AN ACT DECLARING OBLIGATORY THE TEACHING OF THE
CONSTITUTION IN THE ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY IN
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINES

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

SECTION 1. Title. The teaching of the Constitution is hereby declared
mandatory in the elementary and high schools as well as in all universities
and colleges, public and private, and all students in the college level shall
complete at least twelve (12) units in Constitution.

SECTION 2. No collegiate course in any public or private college or
university shall be opened or maintained unless Constitution is included in
their program of teaching.

The Constitution shall be also integrated as part of the school curriculum in
the elementary and high school education whether formal or informal,

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Education and the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall take immediate steps to carry out the provisions of
this Act, including the promulgation of such rules and regulations as maybe

necessary and the adoption of disciplinary. maasues to put this Act.into effect.


SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,