(= RECEIVED
I ove, JUL 2 5
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) y ME.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session \

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

__ Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. _2733
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article III, Section 5 provides that "No /aw 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,
shail 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 ability to anyone caught violating this right

In view hereof, immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly solicited.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 2733

AN ACT
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
assembied:

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 religious freedom upon the condition that all
religious sects shall be accorded the same privileges and opportunities.

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 —

(4) 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 tollfree number to provide
timely and accurate information and respond to questions 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 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,