Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 190

Authored by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE IN THE
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES,
AND UNIVERSITIES, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 3 (3) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
provides: “At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians,
religion shall be allowed to be taught to their children or wards in public
and elementary and high schools within the regular class hours by
instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of the
religion to which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to
the government.”

This constitutional provision is very clear. Religion may be taught in
schools as long as the “consent in writing by the parents or guardians” and
“no cost to the government” conditions among others are met.

The 1987 Constitution also declares as a State Policy that: "the State
recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
being" (Sec. 13, Art. I); and "All educational institutions shall teach the
rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values,

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develop moral character and personal discipline (Secs. 3(1) and (2),
Art. XIV).

Teaching the Bible as literature in our schools is allowed under
these Constitutional provisions. Although the Supreme Court ruled that
students could not be forced to study the Bible for religious purposes,
they are allowed to study the Bible as they would literature in order to
understand its influence, language, and artistic legacy.

In the English language more references are made to the Bible than
any other work of literature. Its number of references even beats out
Greek and Roman mythology. Allusions to the Bible permeate our
artwork, our music, our literature, our conversation, and even pop
culture. In spite of this ever-presence of the Bible's influence, many
students lack a basic familiarity with the Bible, its stories, and its
language.

A critical study of the Bible as literature can prepare students with
the thinking skills needed in the 21st century. As an all-time bestseller, the
Bible has had a profound impact on history, literature, and culture. It
remains a vital part of the life of Filipinos.

Reading the Bible as literature in public schools does not violate the
Constitution nor our hallowed notions of the separation of church and
state. The Supreme Court has made that clear on multiple occasions. The
Bible may constitutionally be used in an appropriate study of history,
civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like.

It is in this light that this bill is introduced to implement these
Constitutional provisions.

. ABANTE, JR.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 130

Authored by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE IN THE
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES,
AND UNIVERSITIES, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in session assembled:

SEC.1. Title.- ‘This Act shall be known as the “Bible
Reading Act of 2022”.

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. While it is constitutional for
schools to teach about religion, it is unconstitutional to use public funds
to advance particular religious beliefs. Thus, the school's approach to
religion should be academic, not devotional. This Act, therefore, sets out
the following basic policies:

The schools may strive for student awareness of religions but should
not press for student acceptance of any religion.

The schools may teach the Bible NOT for religious purposes, but

only as they would teach literature in order to understand its influence,
language, and artistic legacy.

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The schools may educate about all religions, but may not promote
or denigrate any religion.

SEC. 3. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall include in the prescribed
curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private -- the
reading and study of the Bible as literature.

SEC. 4. The DepEd and the CHED is hereby authorized and
directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the
provisions of this Act, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The DepED and CHED shall, within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and
regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and
enforce the provisions of this Act. They shall promulgate rules and
regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of
religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement
of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days
after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SEC. 5. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the
Bible. The Bible shall be included in the list of approved books for
required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.

SEC.6. Repealing Clause. _ All laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

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