HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

30 JUN 2013

Republic of the Philipp’
HOUSE OF REPRESENT.
Constitution Hills, Quezo}

RI ON UNIT

First Regular Sessio ;
BILLS AND NOEX SERVICE

House Bill No. 184

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fundamental in our Constitution is the State’s policy of
inculcating patriotism and nationalism among Filipino youth through
education. Thus, Article XIV Section 3 (2), provides;

2) They 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, reach 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.

Currently, the High School curriculum focuses on the
appreciation of our national heroes, their works, and their country’s
historical development. To further strengthen patriotism and
nationalism among the Filipino youth, it is proposed that the High
School curriculum, both in public and private schools, should likewise
include Voter’s Education that will teach High School students the
rights and duties of citizenship. Voter’s Education seeks to instruct


High School students, who are about to be first-time voters, the
importance of the right of suffrage, how the voters should evaluate and
choose the candidates, and their consequent duty to maintain the
sanctity of the ballots and the electoral process.

By the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly prayed for,
including Voter's Education as part of the High School curriculum in

both public and private schools
ane 6. ON,

ERIC OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

184

House Bill No. va

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT MAKING VOTERS’ EDUCATION MANDATORY IN THE HIGH
SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Philippine Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Voter’s
Education Act of 2016”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognized the vital
role of the Filipino youth in nation building and encourages their
involvement in public and civic affairs, The State likewise recognizes
the role of educational institutions in inculcating among the Filipino
youth patriotism and nationalism, and in teaching the Filipino youth
the rights and duties of citizenship in support of the latter’s role in
nation building. Moreover, the State recognizes the need to educate
High School students, who are about to become first-time, in becoming
responsible members of the electorate through curriculum-based
Voter’s Education.


SECTION 3. Mandatory Voter’s Education. Voter’s Education
shall be taught by adequately trained teachers in formal and non-
formal educational system in Fourth Year High School through
lectures, demonstration, and other approaches. The Voter’s Education
shall commence at the start of the school year immediately following
one (1) year from effectivity of this Act to allow the training of
concerned teachers. The Department of Education (DepEd), the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and
the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall formulate the Voter’s
Education curriculum. Such curriculum shall be common to both
public and private schools, out of school youth, and enrollees in the
Alternative Learning System (ALS) shall be integrated in all relevant
subjects and shall include, but not limited to the following topics;

(a) Values Formation;
(b) Importance of the Right to Suffrage and the Sanctity of the
Ballot;
(c) Factors in Evaluating and Choosing Candidates;
i. Procedure in voter’s registration
ii, Prohibited acts during election period
iii. Procedure in filling out and casting ballots
iv. Procedure for automated elections

SECTION 4. Appropriations. The sums necessary for the
implementation of this Act, including but not limited to the
development of the Voter’s Education Curriculum, training and
deployment of teachers, transportation of PCOS machines shall be
appropriated shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules. The Secretary of Education
shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to carry into effect the
purpose of this Act.


SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after publication in the Official Gazette of Newspaper of

General
Circulations,

APPROVED,