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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _7245

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

EXPLANATORY NOTES

Article XIV, Section 3, Paragraph | of the Constitution mandates that we include the
teaching of the Constitution in our educational institutions’ curricula.

This bill was crafted precisely for that purpose by mandating the integration of a
constitutional education course or program in our secondary educational system.

This bill seeks to educate our Filipino youth on the fundamental law of the land to
accomplish the following

a. Raise the level of awareness and understanding of our Filipino youth of the history
and provisions of the 1987 Constitution as well as their rights and duties as a Filipino
citizen;

b. Develop their appreciation and exercise of democratic values, such as transparency,
accountability, and respect for human rights and dignity;

c. Foster their understanding and practice of active citizenship and people’s participation
in government processes;

d. Equip them with the knowledge of the Constitution that they can use in their analysis
and involvement in public issues;

e. Develop their understanding of the different government branches, institutions,
processes, and constitutional commissions;


f. Promote the role of government in society and respect for institutions and the rule of
law;

g. Equip them with the proper skill and knowledge to discern useful socio-political news
and information from false ones in this age of technology; and

h. Promote a more meaningful and effective civic engagement.

This bill mandates all public and private schools to teach a Constitutional Education
course or program at the Grade 10 level (age 16). Grade 10 is the ideal level as students are
not yet preoccupied with college applications. In addition, not all students are able to progress
to Senior High School level with poverty as the prevalent cause. Further, in terms of
cognitive ability, research shows that at age 16, teens are developing the “ability to think
abstractly, deal with several concepts at the same time, and imagine the future consequences
of their actions. They learn to process more complex problems, to develop and test theories,
to understand analogies, to reason inductively and deductively, and to think inferentially.
They are better able to handle a more demanding high school curriculum because their
memory and organizational abilities—such as time management, test preparation, and study
skills—improve. Written and spoken language become more and more sophisticated. They
may also begin to grasp political, moral, social, and philosophical concepts.”!

Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Sex SILTY Seo
GERALDINE B. ROMAN

* Cognitive Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years, available at https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/te7285
(last accessed July 28, 2020)


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 745

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

AN ACT
INTEGRATING THE TEACHING OF THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
IN THE SECONDARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM
OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

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 known as the “Mandatory Constitutional
Education Act of 2020”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article XIV, Section 3(1) of the 1987 Constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines states that all educational institutions include the study of the
Constitution as part of the curriculum

Moreover, Article XIV, Section 3(2) of the Constitution also states that educational
institutions shall “inculcate patriotism and nationalism, 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 vocational efficiency.”

Sec. 3. Development of Constitutional Education Course or Program (CECP). ~ The
Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the Philippine Supreme Court,
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and the legal academe, will develop the CECP that
will be integrated in the secondary education curriculum in all public and private educational
institutions and taught at the Grade 10 level. In this regard, the Supreme Court and the IBP
will collaboratively encourage lawyers to participate pro bono in teaching or conducting the
CECP.


The CECP shall be developed in a way that is suited and responsive to the capacity of
students and in accordance with the standards and principles to be followed in developing the
enhanced basic education curriculum under Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013,” which provides in particular the following:

“SEC 4, Enhanced Basic Education Program. — x x x

Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners
as the language plays a strategic role in shaping the formative years of
learners.

XXX

For purposes of this Act, mother language or first Language (LI) refers to
language or languages first learned by a child, which he/she identifies with,
is identified as a native language user of by others, which he/she knows
best, or uses most. This includes Filipino sign language used by individuals
with pertinent disabilities. The regional or native language refers to the
traditional speech variety or variety of Filipino sign language existing in a
region, area or place.

SEC 5. Curriculum Development. — x x x

The DepED shall adhere to the following standards and principles in
developing the enhanced basic education curriculum:

(a) The curriculum shall be learner-centered, inclusive and developmentally
appropriate;

(b) The curriculum shall be relevant, responsive and research-based;
(c) The curriculum shall be culture-sensitive;
(d) The curriculum shall be contextualized and global;

(c) The curriculum shall use pedagogical approaches that are constructivist,
inquiry-based, reflective, collaborative and integrative;

(® The curriculum shall adhere to the principles and framework of Mother
Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) which starts from
where the learners are and from what they already knew proceeding from
the known to the unknown; instructional materials and capable teachers to
implement the MTB-MLE curriculum shall be available;

(g) The curriculum shall use the spiral progression approach to ensure
mastery of knowledge and skills after each level; and

An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by Strengthening its Curriculum and Increasing the
number of Years for Basic Education, Appropriating Funds therefor and for other purposes [ENHANCED
BASIC EDUCATION ACT OF 2013], Act No. 10533, sec. 4-5 (2013).


Sec.

(h) The curriculum shall be flexible enough to enable and allow schools to
localize, indigenize and enhance the same based on their respective
educational and social contexts. The production and development of locally
produced teaching materials shall be encouraged and approval of these
materials shall devolve to the regional and division education units

4. CECP Objectives. — The CECP for secondary school students shall seek to

accomplish the following:

a.

h.

Raise their level of awareness and understanding of the history and provisions of the
1987 Constitution as well as their rights and duties as a Filipino citizen;

Develop their appreciation and exercise of democratic values, such as transparency,
accountability, and respect for human rights and dignity;

Foster their understanding and practice of active citizenship and people’s participation
in government processes;

|. Equip them with the knowledge of the Constitution that they can use in their analysis

and involvement in public issues;

. Develop their understanding of the different government branches, institutions,

processes, and constitutional commissions;

Promote the role of government in society and respect for institutions and the rule of
law;

. Equip them with the proper skill and knowledge to discern usefull socio-political news

and information from harmful ones in this age of technology; and

Promote a more meaningful and effective civic engagement.

Sec. 5. CECP Framework. — The CECP in the secondary education curriculum will cover
topics including but not limited to, the following:

a.

b.

History and Overview of the 1987 Constitution

Nationalism and Sovereignty

.. The National Territory

|. State Principles and Policies

‘National Economy and Patrimony
Government Branches, Institutions, and Processes

Rights and Duties of Citizens

. Citizenship and Suffrage


i, Democratic Values, Social Justice, and Human Rights

j. Active Citizenship and People’s Participation in Governance

k. Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports

1. The Family

m. Constitutional Commissions and Local Government

n. Accountability of Public Officers

0. General Provisions and Amendments or Revisions

p. Relevant jurisprudence
Sec. 6. Teacher Education and Training. ~ The DepEd, Philippine Supreme Court, IBP,
and legal academe will collaboratively develop a program to educate and train teachers who
will teach or conduct the CECP. The CECP shall form part of the teacher education and
training programs required by Republic Act No. 10533.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd, in collaboration with the
Philippine Supreme Court, IBP, and legal academe, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of the Act within ninety (90) days from the approval
of this Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision of this Act is

held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions is not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamation, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or part or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.