Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __ 640

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Ten Commandments (also known as The Decalogue) is a set
of spiritual, moral, and ethical precepts given by God to mankind and is
employed and revered by major religions in the world - particularly
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - to guide people in living a godly,
righteous, and peaceful life. Aside from being a religious heritage, the Ten
Commandments is also an ancient, historical artifact and document, which
is recognized as a fundamental force and influence in shaping the
development of secular laws and legal codes in the world today.

This bill seeks to promote and protect the spiritual and moral
wellbeing of our youth as well as strengthen their ethical and spiritual
values - as mandated by the 1987 Constitution - through the teaching and
inculcating of the Ten Commandments as part of the Good Manners and
Right Conduct (GMRC) and/or Values Education (VE) subjects. The Ten
Commandments will be framed not merely as religious doctrines, but as a
set of spiritual, moral and ethical principles that emphasize faith in God
and love and respect for others.

Furthermore, the bill also directs the Department of Education
(DepEd) to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom in all
schools in the country.


Through the inculcation of the Decalogue, the bill also aims to
counter the onslaught of foreign woke ideologies that are luring our youth
into wandering from and forsaking our cherished God-and-family-
centered values and beliefs.

As stated in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should
go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," the Bible underscores
the importance of teaching foundational values during a child's formative
years, as they will carry those teachings throughout their lifetime. It is
hoped that through the effective teaching of the Ten Commandments to
our students. we are nurturing a generation of God-centered and humane
citizens.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

eg, Lilo —_

EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 840

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA

AN ACT INTEGRATING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS INTO THE
GOOD MANNERS AND RIGHT CONDUCT AND/OR VALUES
EDUCATION SUBJECT, MANDATING ITS DISPLAY IN EVERY
CLASSROOM IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY, 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 "Ten
Commandments in Schools Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — The State recognizes the vital role
of the youth in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. Further, educational
institutions are mandated to strengthen the ethical and spiritual values and
to develop the moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino
youth.

Toward these ends, schools promote values that nourish and
strengthen the moral fiber of our youth. As such, moral and ethical
standards, such as the Ten Commandments, shall be taught and
displayed in school classrooms to ensure its deep inculcation into
students’ minds and hearts.


SEC. 3. Display of the Ten Commandments - All public and
private elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines shall
Prominently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom and/or
appropriate location within school premises. The Ten Commandments
shall be either in English or in Filipino language or in local dialect. The text
of the display shall read as follows:

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make idols.

You shall not misuse the Name of the LORD your God.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness.

You shall not covet.

SEC. 4. Integration into Good Manners and Right Conduct
(GMRC) and/or Values Education (VE) Subjects - The Department of
Education (DepEd) shall integrate the Ten Commandments as part of the
Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and/or Values Education (VE)
subjects under the K-12 curriculum. The Ten Commandments shall be
taught as a set of ethical and moral principles that emphasize faith in God
and love and respect for others.

SEC. 5. Implementation Rules and Regulations. - The
Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, shall issue the necessary implementing rules and
regulations to implement this Act. The guidelines shall ensure that the
rights of students from diverse religious backgrounds are respected and
that the teaching and display of the Ten Commandments are done in a
manner consistent with the principle of religious freedom.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause - If any provision or part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall
continue to be in full force and effect.


CONaAHUeWNH

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. 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,