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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17 CONGRESS
First Regular Session
8961

House Bill No.__"

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

[As one great jurist says, “the purpose of the Bill of Rights is to withdraw
certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them
beyond the reach of majorities and officials, and to establish them as legal
principles to be applied by the courts. One's rights to life, liberty and property, to
free speech, or free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other
fundamental rights may not be submitted to a vote; they depend on the outcome
of no elections.” In other words the Bill of Rights are meant to be protections of
the citizens such that not even the most powerful instrument of the state can
take them away or impinge upon them. They are recognitions to the human
dignity that every individual is entitled to regardless of their social standing,
gender, race, or creed. They are inalienable such that regardless of any benefit
which will redound to the state if they be curtailed, such option is nonetheless off
the table. As such, it is only proper that every individual be apprised and trained
with sufficient knowledge of how these rights protect them. It is therefore the
proposal of this bill that a subject on this topic be mandated and compulsorily
taught in the secondary level of education both in the private and public schools.

Aside from the obvious protection which having the knowledge of the Bill
of Rights provide to the citizens, it is further submitted that a study of this
subject will also redound to the citizens a sense of justice and human dignity
which is often overlooked due to the travails of human life. Such consciousness,
it is submitted, is necessary and essential in the formation of upstanding citizens
who abide by the rule of law and treats their fellows with equal respect.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
17 CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. oooh

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

AN ACT
MANDATING THAT “THE BILL OF RIGHTS”
BE A COMPULSORY SUBJECT FOR ALL STUDENT
IN THE SECONDARY LEVEL
IN ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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

Section 1. Statement of Policy, ~ It is the policy of the state that each of its
citizens be armed with knowledge of their constitutionally protected rights, such
knowledge being a first-line defense against infringements upon these solemn
protections. It is therefore mandated that each student must have a basic
training as to what having these constitutional rights entail

Section 2. Coverage. - The education on “The Bill of Rights” shall be a mandatory
subject for all students enrolled in the secondary level, both in private and in
public schools. The subject shall be a part of the curriculum of the students in
their graduating year

Section 3. Course design.
with the Department of Educat
module which will be the cours
the teaching of the subject.

The University of the Philippines Law Center together
re hereby mandated to develop a standard
uniformly followed throughout the country, in

There shall be a mandatory review of the module, for the purpose of updating
and improving the course, in two (2) - year cycles following its implementation.
‘A national achievement exam of the students shall be annually employed tor this
purpose.

Section 4. Funding. - The funds for the establishment, development of modules,
and training of course instructors, shall be provided for in the general
appropriations act of the Department of Education

Section 5. Transitory Provision. - The course shall be integrated in the current
curriculum after two (2) years following the approval of this Act. During the
interim, the Department of Education, pursuant to Section 3 of this Act, shall


undertake the development of the course module, and the training of the
teaching staff charged with the handling of the course. For this purpose, the
Department of Education shall provide trainings, free of charge, for teachers both
in the private and the public sector,

Section 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Efectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,