Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 3938

eee a. ae

Introduced by Hon. Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy lll
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The importance of harmonious co-existence is essential to living a
peaceful and meaningful life. Such is achieved through respect for others’ rights,
performance of one’s duties and, in case of transgressions, meting of penalties.

Laws were created to help ensure this by defining rights and obligations,
and remedies and penalties for violations.

However, even a cursory look at news: and other sources of information
would yield the inference that legal sanctions seem inadequate as deterrent for
those with criminal intent. Sometimes, sadly, even those who are supposed to
uphold and enforce the law break them, knowingly or unknowingly. Quite
alarming to note, too, is the increased commission not only of physical, but also
cyber, crimes. And perhaps even more frightening is the increased accessibility
of children to evildoers made possible by technological advances. It thus
becomes necessary to teach our children how to recognize nefarious acts and
schemes both online and in the real world, how to avoid them, and what they can
do when their rights are violated.

This bill seeks the education of our youth on their rights, duties and
obligations as citizens of this country. It tasks the Department of Education
(DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure that our
youth are well aware of their rights, duties and obligations towards their fellow
tren, and the penalties and remedies for the violations of those rights.

Rather than leaving the education of our children regarding this matter to
parents at the risk of the same being overlooked, inadequate, or incorrect, this
proposed measure aims to ensure that our children are equipped with this vital
knowledge as they go through life, and become responsible citizens.


Our children are irreplaceable jewels who should be accordingly valued.
Hence, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ISTINO MICHAEL C, DY Ill
5 District, Isabela


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.. SEY

INTRODUCED BY REP. FAUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY III

AN ACT TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF LEGAL RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND
OTHER RELATED TOPICS IN BASIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as “Youth Legal Education Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Sec. 13 of the 1987 Constitution
states, “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.” Article II, Section 11 states, “The State values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human rights.” In support of these policies laid
‘out in the Constitution, the State shall equip this nation’s youth of the knowledge
essential to become responsible citizens.

SECTION 3. Law topics shall be taught from pre-school to college in public or
private schools. These shall be included in their Social Studies or Araling Panlipunan
subjects.

Supplemental material shall be provided prior to the scheduled revision of
textbooks. Thereafter the concerned topics shall be properly included.

SECTION 4. The following agencies are tasked with the following duties and
responsibilities:
a. Department of Education - to develop, in coordination with the Legal
Education Board, suitable and age-appropriate syllabus to be integrated in
the curriculum for each level from kinder to Grade 12
b. Commission on Higher Education - to develop, in coordination with the Legal
Education Board, suitable syllabus to be integrated in the college curriculum
c. Legal Education Board — to lend its expertise for the purposes of this Act,
and to approve and periodically review and update the abovementioned
syllabi


SECTION 5. Appropriation. - The Department of Education shall determine the
initial and subsequent funding requirements to realize the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in
collaboration with the CHED and LEB, shall formulate the rules and regulations of this
Act within ninety (90) days of its effectivity.

SECTION 7. Penal Provision. —- Any person, not a government official or
employee, who refuses to perform his duty to carry out the purpose of this Act shall
be punished with imprisonment of one (1) year and/or a fine not exceeding PhP
100,000.00.

Any government employee or official who refuses to perform his to carry out
the purpose of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of two (2) years and/or
a fine not exceeding PhP 200,000.00.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All acts, decrees, letters of instruction,
issuances, orders, or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

APPROVED.