SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No·~O 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
JUL -9 '\ s: :41 
In a time where our society constantly experiences extra-judicial killings, 
discrimination based on ethnicity and gender, enforced disappearances, hunger, 
internal displacement due to armed conflict, sexual abuse, among others, it is a 
fact of life that many of our countrymen do not know that these acts are serious 
infringements of their inherent and God-given human rights. Many feel the pain 
that these violations bring, and yet they do not know its name nor do they know 
whom to run to for help. They are left in the dark; feeding the vicious cycle of 
impunity and encroachment of these rights. 
This bill thus seeks to make the study of human rights a mandatory part of 
the curriculum of all educational institutions in the country. 
No less than the Constitution, particularly Article XIV, Section 3 (1 & 2) 
provides: 
"(1) 
All educational institutions shall include the study of 
the Constitution as part of the curricula. 
(2) 
They shall inculcate patriotism, foster 
love of 
humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of 
national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach 
the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual 
values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage 
critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological 
knowledge, and promote efficiency." 
Moreover, the Constitution empowers and mandates the Commission on 
Human Rights as provided in Article XIII, Section 18 (5) and (6), to do the 
folloWing: 
"(5) 
Establish a continuing program of research, education, 
and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human 
rights. 
(6) 
Recommend to 
Congress effective measures to 
promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims 
of violations of human rights, or their families." 


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The Philippines as a state party to the United Nations Declaration on 
Human Rights, also has the mandate to publicize such declaration and "to cause 
it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and 
other education institutions" as given by the United Nations Assembly, 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~G~ 
Senator 


I ' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No.~90 
'13 
JUL -9 ;19:4 1 
RECEI\ V .1 By:-f 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING MANDATORY TEACHING OF HUMAN RIGHTS 
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. All public and private schools shall include human rights 
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courses in their curricula. No school shall be established or allowed to operate 
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unless this requirement is complied with. 
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SEC. 2. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission 
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on Human Rights, shall formulate courses on human rights to be taught as separate 
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courses or incorporated in existing subjects now being taught in all levels of 
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education throughout the country. 
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SEC. 3. The Department of Education, shall also consult and coordinate with 
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the Commission on Human Rights in the writing, printing and publication of 
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textbooks, manuals and other reading materials to be used in the human rights 
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courses. 
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SEC. 4. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework of the 
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budget of the Department of Education, for the year it is enacted into law. As far as 
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practicable, the funds required therefor shall be drawn from its appropriations for 
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policy formulation, program planning, standards development and instructional 
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materials development. 
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Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this 
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Act shall be included in the budget of the Department of Education, in the annual 
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General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 5. The Dep'artment of Education, in consultation with the Commission 
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on Human Rights, shall, within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, prepare 
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the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in 
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at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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