FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No. 2585 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Human Rights are rights inherent in all human beings, whatever nationality, place of 
residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. All humans 
are entitled to Human Rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent 
and indivisible. 1 
The principle of the universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human 
rights law and has been reiterated in numerous international human rights conventions, declarations 
and resolutions. In fact, all States have ratified at least one, and 80% of States have ratified four or 
more, of the core human treaties reflecting the consent of States which creates legal obligations for 
them and giving concrete expressions ofuniversality.2 
In a time where heinous crimes are committed against basic Human Rights, there is a need 
for heightened awareness. However, it is unfortunate that the subject of "Human Rights" is being 
taught by schools in the Philippines only on a voluntary basis. 
As we approach Human Rights Day on the 10th of December3, we should promote awareness 
and education of Human Rights to our youth in order for them to be advocates of Human Rights and 
the instruments for the realisation of social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights. 
Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. supported this cause by seeking through legislation, to make 
human rights subjects a mandatory part ofthe curriculum of all educational institutions in the country 
during the 14th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought. 
1 http://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/Pages/WhatareHumanRights.aspx 
2 Ibid. 
3 http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/2009/ 
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.. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No. 2585 
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'10 
NOV 1 0 P5 :35 
RECEIVED BY: f 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS 
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE 
PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. All public and private elementary and high schools shall include human rights 
courses in their curricula. No school shall be established or allowed to operate unless this 
requirement is complied with. 
SEC. 2. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human 
Rights, shall formulate courses on human rights to be taught as separate courses or incorporated in 
existing subjects now being taught in all levels of education throughout the country. 
SEC. 3. The Department of Education, shall also consult and coordinate with the 
Commission on Human Rights in the writing, printing and publication of textbooks, manuals and 
other reading materials to be used in the human rights courses. 
SEC. 4. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework of the budget of the 
Department of Education, for the year it is enacted into law. As far as practicable, the funds required 
therefor shall be drawn from its appropriations for policy formulation, program planning, standards 
development and instructional materials development. 
Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the budget of the Department of Education, in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 5. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission on Human 
Rights, shall, within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, prepare the implementing rules and 
regulations necessary to carry out the provisions ofthis Act. 
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
2