' .  
, 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
* 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 13 
4 .  ,. 
' - * -  I' 
Introduced by Senator Luisa "Loi" P. Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 111, Section 5 provides that "No law 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, shall 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 or 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 liability to anyone caught violating this right. 
In view hereof, immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly solicited. 
LUISA "Loi" P. RERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
First Regular Session 
Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 13 
0 
,
I
.
 
, 
.( .,, . 
Introduced by Senator Luisa "Loi" P. Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE FREE EXERCISE OF 
RELIGION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assern bled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "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 - 
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 activity; 
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; 
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 toll-free 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 General Appropriations 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 not 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 (1 5) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,