Filipinos Identity in Values Act

Pion: TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -3 P5:05 First Regular Session RECS: G: S. B. No. 101 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO 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 EXPLANATORY NOTE "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29:2 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 continuéd to adhere to its core values of a faith-based and values- oriented society that prioritizes health, and lifelong learning towards a caring community. 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. source an as as of the filio soniel: churi, Tely business government, education, science and medicine, and media (both journalism and entertainment). All national programs, projects and endeavors must shall stem from these core values. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO

throat TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -3 P5:05 First Regular Session RECERACT -- S. B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO 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

2 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 8 posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law 9 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 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: 3 (a) "National Values" refers to a set of broadly shared ideals and principles, 4 . 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; 7 (b) "Etiquette" is the customary code of polite behavior and courtesy to be 8 observed in society, including online interactions; and 9 (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. -

12 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); 30 (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; (i) At least one (1) representative from different major religious denominations and faith traditions, chosen for their recognized work in inter-

1 faith understanding and values promotion; and 3 (k) One (1) representative from the youth sector, upon recommendation of 4 youth organizations. The members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall 6 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 employees.

SECTION 6. Inter-Faith Council. - There is hereby established an Inter-

Faith Council, hereinafter referred to as the "Council", and shall be composed

1 of leaders of religious organizations in the Philippines. 2 The Council shall: 3 1) Meet on a regular basis to discuss morals and values formation, focused 4 on the shared ethical principles and values commonly agreed upon among 5 various faiths, and such other related matters; 6 2 Attend regular meetings with the Commission and advise and assist the Commission on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation 8 and education, and such other related matters; 9 3) Attend regular meetings with the President and advise and assist the President on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and 11 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, morais, values formation and education, and such other related matters; and 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 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

1 of the Commission in the development of its curriculum to ensure that it remains 2 comprehensive and inclusive of diverse perspectives, and utilizes clear, distinct, 3 specific, and concrete character-building activities. 5° (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. 9 (e) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - The TESDA, in consultation with the Commission, shall integrate appropriate 11 subjects or modules based on the National Program into Technical and 12 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 30 designate or appoint at least one (1) Values Officer from their existing 31 personnel, or create such a position if deemed necessary and feasible, subject to existing civil service rules and regulations. The Values Officer shall oversee 33. 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 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. 42 SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the

1 provisions of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act or sourced from the internally generated income of the public educational 3 institutions.

SECTION 12.. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is

5 declared unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall 6 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,