National Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 22447 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL VALUES, ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM AND INSTITUTING A VALUES- ORIENTED GOVERNANCE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The preamble of the 1987 Constitution declares our collective aspiration to build a just and humane society, grounded on truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace. To realize this vision, the State is duty-bound to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of its citizens- especially the youth, who are vital to nation-building. In this modern age, however, Filipino values are under increasing threat. The widespread accessibility of smartphones and the internet has made foreign influences more pervasive. A Filipino youth spends an average of six hours a week online, with 3.5% logging in at least 35 hours weekly.' This level of digital exposure, if unbalanced with strong cultural and moral foundations, risks further eroding our deeply rooted values and national identity. The passage of Republic Act No. 11476, or the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Act, was a significant step in institutionalizing values education in the K-12 curriculum. However, inculcating values must not stop at the SoMeForAYRH: A Guide in Using Social Media and Social Networking sites for Adolescent and Youth Advocacy. https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/basic- page/SoMe4AYRH%20Guide_Updated-min.pdf (Last accessed on July 8, 2025).

basic education level. Moral uprightness, civic responsibility, and proper conduct must be continuously reinforced throughout every stage of education and public life. This bill seeks to establish the National Program on Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness, to be crafted and implemented by the Commission on Filipino Values, composed of representatives from the education sector, relevant commissions, and various religious faiths. The Program will institutionalize the teaching of patriotism, national pride and identity, proper etiquette- including online and social behavior- and moral uprightness in all educational institutions and employee training programs in government agencies, GOCCs, and local government units. Private institutions are also encouraged to adopt similar programs. To strengthen these efforts, the bill mandates the designation of Values Officers in all government offices to oversee implementation and conduct regular values formation activities. Moreover, the bill establishes a Presidential Inter-Faith Council to serve as a consultative and advisory body to the Commission and to the President of the Philippines, ensuring that faith-based and moral perspectives are reflected in national values education. This measure is timely and necessary. In 2021, the Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International, scoring only 33 out of 100—the lowest since 2012. Clearly, legal reforms alone are not enough; a shift in national consciousness and individual behavior is essential. This bill offers a holistic, values-driven approach to nation-building, aiming to nurture morally upright, civically responsible, and culturally grounded citizens. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. 'Philippines' ranking inches up in global corruption perceptions index. February 12, 2025. Available at https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/philippines-ranking- inches-up-in-global-corruption-perceptions-index (Last accessed on July 8, 2025).

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 2. H1 11 97117 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL VALUES, ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM AND INSTITUTING A VALUES- ORIENTED GOVERNANCE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES, 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 "National Values,

Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - The preamble of the 1987 Constitution

implores 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 7 our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of trust, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace. Pursuant to this, the State shall have the responsibility of passing laws and institute programs that will lead us to the kind of society that the Philippine Constitution aspires. Towards this end, it is the policy of the State to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth and to recognize its role in nation building. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms

are defined: a) National Values shall mean a set of ideals and principles shared by the members of the community; Etiquette shall mean a customary code of behavior to be observed in a society; and Mortal Uprightness shall mean a conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong.

SEC. 4. Establishment of the Commission on Filipino Values. - There

is hereby created a Commission on Filipino Values, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, which shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) as Chairperson, the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), together with representatives from major religious groups in the country, which shall be inter-faith. The Commission shall conduct a nationwide consultation, and through consensus, craft a Program on National Values, Etiquette and Moral Uprightness, hereinafter referred to as the Program. The Commission shall draft a roadmap for the implementation of the Program, which shall be submitted to the President for his/her approval. The Commission shall likewise implement the approved Program. The Commission shall continue to meet every three (3) years, or as the need arises, and shall conduct an evaluation of the performance, accomplishments and impact of the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5. Institutionalizing National Values, Etiquette, and Moral

Uprightness in Educational Institutions. - To carry out the declared policies in Section 2 of this Act, teaching of the National Program on Values, including, but not limited to, patriotism, national pride and identity, Etiquette, Moral Uprightness, and social and online etiquette, shall be institutionalized as part of the curriculum

in all levels in kindergarten, elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, and college institutions in the country: Provided, That the teaching of the foregoing shall be aligned and integrated with the teaching of values education in the K-12 basic education curriculum, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the "GMRC and Values Education Act."

SEC. 6. Implementation in Workplaces. - All government offices,

7 Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), national agencies, and local government units, shall include modules on patriotism, national pride and identity and moral uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee orientation or training programs. Appropriate employee seminars shall also be regularly held on the aforesaid projects. Private entities, through their respective Human Resources Department or its equivalent, are encouraged to include modules on patriotism, national pride, identity, and moral uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee orientation or training programs. Appropriate employee seminars may also be held on the aforesaid projects.

SEC. 7. Values Officer in Government Offices, Including GOCCS. - It

is hereby mandated that all government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, including GOCCs and local government units, shall have at least one (1) Values Officer that will oversee the implementation of the policies under this Act. The functions of Values Officers shall include values orientation of new hires and training sessions, seminars, or teach-ins of current employees, 23 among others.

SEC. 8. Presidential Inter-Faith Council. - There is hereby established

a Presidential Inter-Faith Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, under the control and supervision of the President of the Philippines, which shall be composed of leaders of various religious organizations in the Philippines. The Council shall: a) Meet on a regular basis to discuss matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and education, and such other related matters;

b) 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; 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; d) 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 e) 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.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,