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Republic of the Philippines DATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘tuk
Quezon City ‘
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
ar
House sit no.__5784

Introduced by Honorable Edwin L. Olivarez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fundamental in our Constitution is the State's policy of inculcating patriotism
and nationalism among Filipino youth through education. Thus, Article XIV Section
3 (2), provides:

2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, 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 vocational efficiency.

Currently, the High School curriculum focuses on the appreciation of our
national heroes, their works, and their contribution to the country's historical
development. To further strengthen patriotism and nationalism among Filipino
youth, it is proposed that the High School curriculum, both in public and private
schools, should likewise include Voters’ Education that will teach High School
students the rights and duties of citizenship. Voters' Education seeks to instruct High
School students, who are about to be first-time voters, the importance of the right
of suffrage, how the voters should evaluate and choose the candidates, and their
consequent duty to maintain the sanctity of the ballots and the electoral process.

By the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly prayed for, including Voters'
Education as part of the High School curriculum in both public and prjrate schools.

-DWIN L. OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILLNo.__9784

Introduced by Honorable Edwin L. Olivarez

AN ACT MAKING VOTERS’ EDUCATION MANDATORY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL
CURRICULUM IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall shall be known as the “Voters'
Education Act of 2012”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the vital role of the
Filipino youth in nation building and encourages their involvement in public and civic
affairs. The State likewise recognizes the role of educational institutions in
inculcating among the Filipino youth patriotism and nationalism, and in teaching the
Filipino youth the rights and duties of citizenship in support of the latter's role in
nation building. Moreover, the State recognizes the need to educate High School
students, who are about to become first-time voters, in becoming responsible
members of the electorate through curriculum-based Voters’ Education.

Section 3. Mandatory Voters’ Education. — Voters’ Education shall be taught
by adequately trained teachers in formal and non-formal educational system in
Fourth Year High School through lectures, demonstration, and other approaches.
The Voters’ Education shall commence at the start of the school year immediately
following one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to allow the training of
concerned teachers. The Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) shall formulate the Voters’ Education curriculum. Such curriculum shall
be common to both public and private schools, out of school youth, and enrollees in
the Alternative Learning System (ALS) shall be integrated in all relevant subjects and
shall include, but not limited to, the following topics:


(a) Values Formation;
(b) Importance of the Right to Suffrage and the Sanctity of the Ballot;
(c) Factors in Evaluating and Choosing Candidates;
(d) Electoral Process in the Philippines;
(i) Procedure in voters’ registration
(ii) Prohibited acts during election period
(iil) Procedure in filling out and casting of ballots
(iv) Procedure for automated elections

Section 4. Appropriations. - The sums necessary for the implementation of
this Act, including but not limited to the development of the Voters’ Education
Curriculum, training and deployment of teachers, transportation of PICOS machines
shall be appropriated shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 4. Implementing Rules. - The Secretary of Education shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

Section 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or Newspaper of General Circulations.

Approved,