RECEIVED
NINETEENTH CONGRESS   )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
House Bill No.   5351
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article Ill, Section 5 provides that "IVo /aw sha// be made respecfi.ng
an  establishment of religion,  or prohibiting the free  exercise thereof,  and the free 6xerciste
apd..e.rtyoymerlt  of_ religi.e_us  profession  and  worship,  without  discrimination  or  preference,
shall forever be allowed."
The Civil Code, Article 32 further provides that any public 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.
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  school   by  providing  for  the
imposition of a civil liability to anyone caught violating this right.
In view hereof, immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly solicited.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS   )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
House Bill No.  5351
AN ACT
TO  ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL  RIGHT TO THE  FREE  EXERCISE OF  RELIGION
BY STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Be it ep?ct.ed  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the  Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  1.  Short  Ti.I/e  -This  Act  may  be  cited  as  the  "Sfudenf  Freedom  of
Religious Expression Act."
SEC  2.  Dec/arafr.on  of Po/i.cy  -  lt  is  hereby  declared  the  policy  of  the  State  to
develop the moral character and  personal discipline of the  people.  Toward this end,  it shall
encourage  certain  activities  in  the  exercise  of religious freedom  upon  the  condition  that all
religious sects shall be accorded the same privileges and opportunities.
SEC  3.  Deffni-fi.on  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.
SEC 4. Free frerci.se Ri-ghfs Pnofecfed - Students in public schools -
(1)                  have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious
discussions  in  or connected with  schools as they do to engage  in  other
comparable activities;
(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;
(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.
SEC 5. C/.y/./ Act/.or) -Any person aggrieved by a violation of Section 4 hereof 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.
SEE  6..  .Esf.ablishrpent  pf  Religious  Freedom  Hotline  -  The  Seorehary  of  the
Department of Justice  shall  establish,  maintain  and  publicize  a  toll-free  number to  provide
timely and accurate information and  respond to questions regarding the rights protected  by
this Act.
SEC 7. Appropri.afi.on - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall   be   charged   against  the   appropriations   of  the   Department  of  Education   and   the
Department  of  Justice  not  yet  earmarked  for  the  Fiscal  Year  this  Act  shall  take  effect.


I
Thereafter,  such  sums  as  may  be  necessary  shall  be  included  in  the  annual  General
Appropriations Act.
SEC  8.  Separab/.//.fy  C/ause  -  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.
SEC  9.  Repea/i`ng  C/ause -  Any  law,  presidential  decree,  or  issuance,  executive
order,  letter of instruction,  administrative order,  rule or regulation  contrary to or inconsistent
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SEC  10.  Effecfi.y/.fy  C/ause.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,