Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILLNO.8469

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE FREE EXERCISE OF
RELIGION

The Constitution, Article III, Section 7, 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
schools by providing for the imposition of a civil liability to anyone caught violating this

AL Al

LUIS ID “LRAY”/F/VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 8469

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

Al
TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE FREE EXERCISE OF
RELIGION

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be cited as the “Freedom of Religious
Expression Act.”

SECTION 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.

SECTION 3. Definition of Religious Freedom. — For purposes of this Act, the term
religious freedom means the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship, without discrimination or preference.

SECTION 4. Free Exercise Rights Protected. — Students in public schools shall have the
following rights:

(A) The right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious discussions in or
connected with school as they do to engage in other comparable activity;

The right to 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;

The 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

(8

(C)



(D) The right to display or otherwise communicate religious messages, including on
items of clothing, to the same extent they are permitted to display or communicate
other messages.

SECTION 5. Civil Action. - Aperson aggrieved by a violation of section 4 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

SECTION 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.

SECTION 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this,
Act shall be charged against the General Appropriations 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, or rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,