Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular SEO?

HOUSE BILL NO.

AN ACT PROMOTING LEGAL AWARENESS AMONG THE YOUTH BY INCLUDING BASIC
LAW EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY
SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution embodies the fundamental laws of the land
which must be observed and adhered to by all Filipinos.

It is therefore imperative that all Filipinos be made aware of the most basic laws
governing them which include the State’s declared policies as well as the Bill of Rights.
This may be achieved through inculcating to the youth these provisions of the Philippine
Constitution early on, particularly during secondary education as they prepare to face
the challenges of life and rigors and responsibilities of adulthood in society.

To this end, Basic Law Education covering the State’s declared policies as well as

the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution shall form part of the academic
curricula of all public and private secondary school throughout the Philippines.

Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Een
HON. VINI NOLA A ORTEGA

Representative
ABONO Party-list


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Saigiprng

HOUSE BILL NO.

AN ACT PROMOTING LEGAL AWARENESS AMONG THE YOUTH BY INCLUDING BASIC
LAW EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY
SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Basic Law Education Act of 2017”.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. -

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in
public and civic affairs.

The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote
total human liberation and development.

In order to produce responsible and law-abiding members of society, the Filipino youth
shall be made aware and trained early on with pertinent provisions of the fundamental
law of the land, the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The relevant provisions shall include the Declaration of State Policies as well as the Bill
of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, both of which shall be imparted to the
Filipino youth in all public and private secondary schools through mandatory inclusion of
the same in their respective school curricula.


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The State shall establish, maintain, and support a comprehensive, adequate, and
sustainable system of education or learning to attain said objective.

Section 3. | Mandatory inclusion of Basic Law Education in school curricula. — The
Declaration of State Policies and Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution shall
now be mandatorily included as required topics under Basic Law Education in the
academic curricula of all public and private secondary schools throughout the
Philippines.

The Department of Education (DepEd) in coordination with other pertinent government
agencies shall ensure that a sound and professionally supported program be integrated
to existing school curricula in order to cover the abovementioned provisions. The DepEd
shall institutionalize high standards of learning and teaching methods to ensure
credibility and academic integrity of the said subject.

Within one (1) year from the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
of this Act, Basic Law Education shall be included in the curricula of all public and private
secondary schools throughout the Philippines.

Section 4. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Education (DepEd) through
the Bureau of Curriculum Development in coordination with other pertinent
government agencies such as the Legal Education Board, shall develop and maintain
new programs to be integrated with existing similar programs or subjects, creating and
including Basic Law Education in the school curricula of all public and private secondary
schools.

Section 5. Training and Development. - The Department of Education (DepEd),
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Legal Education Board, and other related
government agencies shall continuously provide professional and sound training and
provisions for materials, updates, and jurisprudence necessary for faculty members for
teaching and dissemination of Basic Law Education to the students.

Section 6. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd)
shall immediately include in the Department's program the development and
maintenance of Basic Law Education, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with and
support of the Legal Education Board, Professional Regulation Commission, and other


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related agencies, shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision thereof shall remain valid
and effective.

Section 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved