TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2908 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our identity as a people tells the world who we are. Every person’s unique 
identity is shaped by the values we learned from our families, schools, 
churches, and communities.  
Similarly, our identity as Filipinos tells the world who we are. This unique 
identity is shaped by our collective values. From a nation of 6.2 million across 
7,107 islands at the turn of the 20th century, we have grown into a global 
diaspora of over 114 million spread across 7,641 islands and beyond. 
Throughout these changes, the “real” Filipino values remain relatively the 
same. It is high time that Filipino people from all walks of life—from church 
leaders, business leaders, entertainment, and government—come together 
and articulate their identity as a people. In the same manner, bad values that 
destroy the image of the Filipino people must be rebuked. 
As the nation pursues economic prosperity and modernization, our 
development must be anchored in our cherished core values: faith in GOD; 
the love that flows from a generous spirit exemplified in the concept of 
bayanihan; the honor and respect we give to our elders and family; and our 
renowned Filipino warmth, hospitality, and compassion. 
Taguig used to be known as a small town engaged in farming and fishing in 
the heart of Metro Manila. However, after suffering from crisis after crisis in the 
1970s up until the 1990s, it successfully developed into a central business 
district at the turn of the century. In all of these decades, Taguig did not lose its 
vision and continued to adhere to its core values of a faith-based and 
values-oriented society that prioritizes health, and lifelong learning towards a 
caring community. 
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Drawing inspiration from the lessons that Taguigeños had learned all these 
years, this measure aims to inculcate universally accepted moral values 
starting at a young age; values-oriented and faith-based leadership in all 
government 
agencies, 
including 
government-owned 
and 
controlled 
corporations (GOCCs), and the private sector, and inter-faith dialogue and 
involvement in the national affairs. It also serves as a response to the need for 
meaningful dialogue just among different faiths and religions to enhance 
mutual understanding, harmony, and cooperation among Filipinos. 
Serving as an accompanying bill of Republic Act No. 11476, also known as the 
Good Manners and Right Conduct Act, this measure seeks to realize the full 
potential of upholding and integrating a values-based approach in all aspects 
of society, from the government to grassroots communities. 
Under this measure, a national commission shall be created, tasked with 
spearheading and maintaining a National Program on Values, Etiquette, and 
Moral Uprightness. Under its vision, the development of the country will be 
anchored on the critical core values of the Filipino people, including patriotism, 
national pride and identity, civic consciousness, respect for human rights, 
critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and social media and smartphone 
etiquette, among others. The Department of Education will ensure that 
schools teach these values in classrooms, and the churches and businesses 
will be encouraged to teach them in places of worship and workplaces, 
respectively. 
As our core values as a Filipino people define our identity, these values must 
permeate all aspects of the Filipino society: church, family, business, 
government, education, science and medicine, and media (both journalism 
and entertainment). All national programs, projects and endeavors shall stem 
from these core values. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Alan Peter 
“Compañero” S. Cayetano, this bill therefore serves as a counterpart 
measure. It is for the reason stated above that the passage of this measure is 
earnestly sought. 
RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2908 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT   
STRENGTHENING FILIPINO IDENTITY THROUGH A NATIONAL VALUES, 
ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING A 
COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES, AND AN INTER-FAITH COUNCIL; 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Filipino 
Identity in Values Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The preamble of the 1987 
Constitution articulates the aspiration of the Filipino people, imploring the aid 
of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a 
Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the 
common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves 
and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the 
rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace. 
In essence, the Constitution directs the State to institute policies, implement 
projects and programs, and enact laws that promote and protect the physical, 
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of every Filipino, with special 
emphasis on the role of the youth in nation building through their involvement 
in public and civic affairs while inculcating patriotism and nationalism.  
It is therefore the declared policy of the State that a national program on 
values, etiquette, and moral uprightness, produced and articulated by the 
Commission on Filipino Values, shall serve as a foundational guide for 
governance, inform the crafting of policy, and be integrated into the design 
and implementation of all government laws, programs, and projects to ensure 
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they are aligned with the shared aspirations of the Filipino people. 
​
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms are defined: 
(a)​
“National Values” refers to a set of broadly shared ideals and principles, 
derived from Filipino cultural traditions, democratic principles, constitutional 
ideals, indigenous wisdom, and faith-based systems, that promote the kind of 
society envisioned in the preamble of the Philippine Constitution; 
(b)​
“Etiquette” is the customary code of polite behavior and courtesy to be 
observed in society, including online interactions; and 
(c)​
“Moral Uprightness” refers to the application of national values in the 
daily personal and social life of every Filipino which as a nation we should 
aspire for.  
​
SECTION 4. Establishment of the Commission on Filipino Values. – 
There is hereby established a Commission on Filipino Values, hereinafter 
referred to as the “Commission.” The Commission shall be chaired by the 
Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), and shall be composed of 
the following members: 
(a)​
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
 
(b)​
One (1) representative from the Senate of the Philippines, to be 
designated by the Senate President; 
 
(c)​
One (1) representative from the House of Representatives, to be 
designated by the Speaker of the House; 
 
(d)​
One (1) representative from a reputable academic or professional 
organization with expertise in ethics, philosophy, and values education; 
 
(e)​
One (1) representative from the National Commission on Indigenous 
Peoples (NCIP); 
 
(f)​
One (1) representative from accredited national Non-Governmental 
Organizations (NGOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a proven 
track record of competence in family and home-based values; 
 
(g)​
One (1) representative from business and commercial organizations; 
 
(h)​
One (1) representative from accredited national Non-Governmental 
Organizations (NGOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that is respected 
and recognized in the scientific community; 
 
(i)​
One (1) representative from accredited media organizations; 
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(j)​
At least one (1) representative from different major religious 
denominations and faith traditions, chosen for their recognized work in 
inter-faith understanding and values promotion; and 
 
(k)​
One (1) representative from the youth sector, upon recommendation of 
youth organizations. 
 ​
The members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of nominees 
submitted by their respective sectors or organizations, based on criteria 
ensuring expertise, integrity, and commitment to equitable representation and 
pluralism. 
SECTION 5. National Program on Values, Etiquette, and Moral 
Uprightness; Minimum Components of the Program. – A National 
Program on Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness, hereinafter referred to 
as the “Program”, shall be crafted and periodically updated by the 
Commission, after conducting nationwide consultations, research, and 
inclusive deliberations. 
 The Program shall strive for broad consensus and shall be submitted to the 
President for approval. The Commission shall oversee and monitor the 
implementation of the approved Program. The Program, however, shall 
include the following minimum components: 
(a)​
A centralized framework to reflect foundational Filipino Core Values. 
 
(b)​
A faith-based and values-oriented developmental program that will 
provide training programs and modules that integrate ethical decision-making, 
accountability, and public service rooted in moral uprightness. 
 
(c)​
Clear standards for online and social etiquette education, including the 
provision of modules on digital privacy, empathy in online discourse, and cyber 
ethics. 
The principles and learning modules derived from the core components 
enumerated in paragraphs (a) to (c) shall be the basis for a unified and holistic 
national values curriculum. The DepEd shall integrate these components into 
the curriculum of the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values 
Education subjects at the basic education level, in furtherance of the 
objectives of Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the “GMRC and 
Values Education Act.” 
Furthermore, and in coordination with the Commission, these components 
shall be appropriately adapted and incorporated by the CHED into 
tertiary-level curricula, by the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA) into vocational and technical training programs, and into 
the professional development and orientation programs for all government 
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employees. 
SECTION 6. Inter-Faith Council. – There is hereby established an 
Inter-Faith Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council”, and shall be 
composed of leaders of religious organizations in the Philippines. 
​
The Council shall: 
1)​
Meet on a regular basis to discuss morals and values formation, 
focused on the shared ethical principles and values commonly agreed upon 
among various faiths, and such other related matters;  
2)​
Attend regular meetings with the Commission and advise and assist the 
Commission on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation 
and education, and such other related matters;  
3)​
Attend regular meetings with the President and advise and assist the 
President on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and 
education, and such other related matters;  
4)​
Provide consultative and advisory services to the various government 
and private agencies on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values 
formation and education, and such other related matters; and 
5)​
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President of 
the Philippines relating to religion, faith, morals, values formation and 
education, and such other related matters. 
 ​
SECTION 7. Roles and Responsibilities of the Commission, the 
Presidential Inter-Faith Council, and Relevant National Government 
Agencies (NGAs). – For purposes of this Act, the Commission and the 
Presidential Inter-Faith Council, hereinafter created, and the different NGAs 
shall have the following roles: 
(a)​
Commission – The Commission shall be the lead agency in the 
implementation of this Act. It shall work and coordinate with NGAs and the 
non-government sector in pursuing the goal of establishing a strong 
foundation for just and moral governance. It shall come up with the National 
Program on Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness, pursuant to Section 5 of 
this Act. 
 
(b)​
Inter-Faith Council – The Council shall serve as the primary advisory 
body tasked with making recommendations to the Commission and to the 
President regarding morals and values formation based on the shared ethical 
principles and values commonly agreed upon among various faiths. It shall 
design and assist in the implementation of values formation programs and 
projects as stated in Sections 7 (c) to (e), 8, and 9 of this Act. 
 
(c)​
Department of Education (DepEd) – The DepEd shall continue to 
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implement GMRC and Values Education as core subjects and/or integrated 
components as prescribed in Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the 
“GMRC and Values Education Act.” The content, pedagogy, and learning 
materials for GMRC and Values Education shall be informed, enhanced, and 
periodically 
updated 
by 
the 
DepEd. 
DepEd 
shall 
integrate 
the 
recommendations of the Commission in the development of its curriculum to 
ensure that it remains comprehensive and inclusive of diverse perspectives, 
and utilizes clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character-building activities. 
 
(d)​
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – The CHED, in 
consultation with the Commission, shall ensure the integration of appropriate 
subjects or modules based on the National Program into tertiary-level 
curricula. 
 
(e)​
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – 
The TESDA, in consultation with the Commission, shall integrate appropriate 
subjects or modules based on the National Program into Technical and 
Vocational Education and Training programs.​
 
SECTION 8. Implementation in All Other Government Offices, 
Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), NGAs, and 
Local Government Units (LGUs); Voluntary Compliance of Private 
Entities and Institutions. – All government offices, GOCCs, NGAs, and 
LGUs shall include modules on patriotism, national pride and identity, and 
moral uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee 
orientations or training programs and continuing professional development. 
Appropriate employee seminars shall also be regularly held on the aforesaid 
projects. 
​
Private entities and institutions, through their respective Human 
Resources Departments (HRD) or equivalent, are encouraged to include 
modules on patriotism, national pride and identity, and moral uprightness, 
including online and social etiquette, in employee orientation and training 
programs, and to hold activities promoting an ethical and values-driven 
workplace culture. 
​
SECTION 9. Values Officer in Educational Institutions and 
Government Offices, including GOCCs. – It is hereby mandated that all 
higher education institutions and government offices, Government-Owned and 
Controlled Corporations, national agencies, and local government units, shall 
designate or appoint at least one (1) Values Officer from their existing 
personnel, or create such a position if deemed necessary and feasible, 
subject to existing civil service rules and regulations. The Values Officer shall 
oversee the implementation of the Program and related policies under this Act 
within their respective offices.  
The functions of Values Officers shall include values orientation of new 
students and new hires, and training sessions, seminars, or teach-ins of 
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current employees, among others. 
 ​
 SECTION 10. Non-Discrimination. — The implementation of this Act 
shall be free from any form of discrimination based on religion, belief, ethnicity, 
gender, social status, or political affiliation, and shall uphold the dignity and 
rights of every individual. 
SECTION 11. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations 
Act or sourced from the internally generated income of the public educational 
institutions. 
        
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared 
shall remain in force and effect. 
 ​
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. –  All laws, decrees, orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and 
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
 ​
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after publication in two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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