Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL VALUES, ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL
UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM; A COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES; AND
AN INTER-FAITH PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL, INSTITUTING A
FAITH-BASED AND VALUES-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Leaders aspire to bring prosperity, safety, and comfort to their country. This
is not just a matter of programs and projects, it is also dependent on the values held by
the leaders and nation. These values are crucial in strengthening any policy aiming for the
prosperity, security, and well-being of the people.
Taguig used to be a small farming and fishing town in Metro Manila, but over the
years, it rose up as a central business district near the turn of the century. Its new
leadership pushed forward with a moral uprightness ordinance that prohibited all forms of
gambling and lewd behavior— this included banning night clubs and motels that had
been notorious for their immoral conduct. In 2010, Taguig had a total collection of Php
1.7 Billion, an indebtedness of about Php 1.6 Billion, a budget of only Php 5 Million for
scholarships, and severe lack of medicine for distribution and health facilities. By 2019,
Taguig had already Php 12.6 Billion in collection, more than a 7 fold increase, no more
indebtedness, Php 675 Million for scholarships, free medicine delivered to the doorsteps
of those in need, 31 PhilHealth-accredited Barangay Health Centers, and three Super
Health Centers which are open 24/7.1
Today, the Philippines is facing an ongoing crisis due to COVID-19 as well as
other global issues such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict causing volatile prices
worldwide.2 This national crisis is even more evident as the peso slumped by as much as
15.7 percent to hit an all-time low of Php 59 to $1 in January 2023 due to the aggressive
2https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/06/07/2186660/inflation-sizzles-54-may-moving-furtheraway-t
arget
1 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1069244/taguig-becomes-debt-free-city
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March 20, 2023
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rate hikes delivered by the US Fed to fight persistently high inflation. At the end of 2022,
the local currency was weaker by 9.3 percent compared to the end-2021 level.3
We are at a critical crossroad in the Philippines— not only economically, but also
in terms of the values we wish to uphold as citizens. Now more than ever, we need to
instil values such as integrity, respect for elders, kindness, and compassion in our society.
It's essential that we take collective responsibility to create universally accepted values
that will transcend culture and time. As we push forward with our economic recovery
efforts after the pandemic, it is of paramount importance that we build a strong moral
foundation among Filipinos. We must empower our people to lead successful and
responsible lives as patriotic citizens who abide by the law.
For this reason, this bill seeks to cultivate Filipino and moral values from an early
age, foster values-oriented leadership in all government agencies, Government Owned
and /or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and private sectors, and continue the inter-faith
dialog and involvement in national affairs for mutual understanding across different
religions.
Although a part of this bill was already integrated in Republic Act No. 11476 or
the Good Manners and Right Conduct Act. We can reap the full benefits if this Act is
passed.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
Hon. Ricardo “Ading” S. Cruz, Jr.
Representative
1st District, Taguig-Pateros
3https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/02/03/2242105/peso-pierces-53-1-after-softer-us-rate-hike/amp/
A


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL VALUES, ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL
UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM; A COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES; AND
AN INTER-FAITH PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL, INSTITUTING A
FAITH-BASED AND VALUES-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "National
Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness Act".
SECTION
2. Declaration of Policy. – As the preamble of the 1987
Constitution articulates the aspiration of the Filipino people, imploring the aid of
Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government, it
shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and
develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of
independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice,
freedom, love, equality and peace.
It is the policy of the State to pass laws and institute programs that will lead
us to this kind of society. In pursuing such, it is also the policy of the State to promote
and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well being of the youth
and also recognizes its role in nation building. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism
and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following
terms are defined:
(a)
“National Values” – set of ideals and principles shared by the members of
the community;
(b)
“Etiquette” – customary code of behaviour to be observed in a society; and
(c)
“Moral Uprightness” – conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of
right and wrong.
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SECTION 4. Establishment of the Commission on Filipino Values. –
The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) as Chairperson, the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), a representative from both houses of Congress, together
with representatives from major religious groups in the country shall conduct a
nationwide consultation, and through consensus craft a Program on National Values,
Etiquette and Moral Uprightness.
The Commission shall draft a roadmap for the implementation of the Program,
which shall be submitted to the President for his approval. The Commission shall
likewise implement the approved Program.
The Commission shall continue to meet every three (3) years, or as the need arises,
and shall conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as
the performance, for purposes of updating as needed.
SECTION
5. Institutionalizing National Values, Etiquette, and Moral
Uprightness in Educational Institutions. – To carry out the above-declared policy,
teaching of the National program on Values including but not limited to patriotism,
national pride and identity, Etiquette, Moral Uprightness, and social and online etiquette,
shall be institutionalized as part of the curriculum in all levels in Kindergarten,
Elementary, Secondary, Technical-Vocational, and College institutions in the country. The
teaching of universally accepted Filipino values shall also be included in the curriculum,
specifically Good Manners and Right Conduct, for elementary and high school, and the
appropriate subject in other levels.
SECTION 6. Implementation in Workplaces. – All government offices,
Government-Owned
and
Controlled
Corporations,
national
agencies,
and
local
government units, shall include modules on patriotism, national pride and identity and
moral uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee orientation or
training programs. Appropriate employee seminars shall also be regularly held on the
aforesaid projects.
Private entities, through their respective Human Resources Departments (HRD) or
equivalent, are encouraged to include modules on patriotism, national pride and identity,
and moral uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee orientation or
training programs. Appropriate employee seminars may also be held on the aforesaid
projects.
SECTION 7. Values Officer in Government Offices, including GOCCs.
– It is hereby mandated that all government offices, Government-Owned and Controlled
Corporations, national agencies, and local government units, shall have at least one (1)
Values Officer that will oversee the implementation of the policies under this Act.
Functions of Values Officers include values orientation of new hires, and training
sessions, seminars, or teach-ins of current employees, among others.
SECTION 8. Presidential Inter-Faith Council. – There is hereby established a
Presidential Inter-Faith Council, under the control and supervision of the President, which
shall be composed of leaders of religious organizations in the Philippines
The Council shall:
1)
meet on a regular basis to discuss matters pertaining to religion, faith,
morals, values formation and education, and such other related matters;
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2)
attend regular meetings with the Commission and advise and assist the
Commission on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and
education, and such other related matters;
3)
attend regular meetings with the President and advise and assist the
President on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and
education, and such other related matters;
4)
provide consultative and advisory services to the various government and
private agencies on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation
and education, and such other related matters; and,
5)
perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President of the
Philippines relating to religion, faith, morals, values formation and education, and
such other related matters.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force
and effect.
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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