THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
1 
’04 JiiL 22 (72 :40 
OF THE PHILIPPNES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 3, Section 7, provides that “No law shall be made respecting an 
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereoc and the free xercise and 
enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or prefe ence, shall 
forever be allowed.” The Civil Code, Article 32, further provides that any publi 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 of religion of another person shall be 
liable to the latter for damages. 
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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 schools by providing for the imposition of a 
civil liability to anyone caught violating this right. 
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MIRIAM DEF 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS. OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
1 
'04 JUL 22 32 149 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SECTION 2. Declaraliun uf Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of 
develop the moral character and personal discipline of the people. Toward this 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
the state to 
t:nd,'it shall 
AN ACT 
TO-ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT 
TO THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 4. Free Exercise Rights Protected. - Students in public schools - 
(1) 
have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious 
discussions in or connected with school as they do to engage in other comparable activity; 
(2) 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; 
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(3) 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. 
SECTION 5. Civil Aclion. - A person aggrieved by a violation of section 4 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. 
SECTION 6. @ublishment 
of Religious Freedom Hotline. - The Secretary of the 
Department of Justice shall establish, maintain, and publicize a Loll-free number to provide 
timely and accurate information and respond to questions regarding the rights protected by this 
Act. 
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SECTION 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry 
Act shall be charged against the General Appropriations for the 
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effect. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shail be 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 9. Repealifig Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, adniinistrative order, or rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effeeclivity Clause. - This Act shall tale effect 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
FN' 666