SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 551 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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JUL -3 A 8 :58 
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. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 551 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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"13 
JUL -8 A8 :58 
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 ~eligious 
freedom upon the' condition that all religious sects shall be accorded tHe same 
privileges and ,opportunities, 
I 
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 Itoll-free 
number to provide timely and accurate information and respond to ql,lestions 
regarding the rights protected by this Act. 
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 not 
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,