NextGen Day

A bill introduced by Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla aims to guarantee students’ religious freedom while also ensuring religious freedom in all educational institutions.

Padilla wants to grant students the “liberty to disassociate and excuse themselves from participating in any religious classes and activities that interfere with his religious tenets or faith without the fear of expulsion, sanction, or reprimand.” This is what Senate Bill 1609, or the proposed Act Protecting Free Exercise and Enjoyment of Religion of Students in Educational Institutions, is all about.

In introducing the law, he cited stories of how education failed to separate pupils based on their affiliation with a particular faith, offering religion classes to all students despite the fact that some of them practiced a different religion.

According to Padilla, a problem arises when students are forced to enroll in religious classes and attend academic activities that conflict with their religious tenets and practices. Without the option to opt-out of these religious classes or receive an exemption, students are more likely to engage in and practice religious beliefs that are at odds with their own.

According to SB 1609, educational institutions must make sure that no students face discrimination because of their religious affiliation, belief, or participation in any religious activity. They also must respect each student’s right to express themselves or wear religious clothing on campus or while participating in school-related activities off campus. Finally, they must refrain from requiring students to participate in religious activities or performances.

In order to promote the proposed law, the bill also requires the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Commission on Human Rights to organize awareness- and education-raising campaigns.

No student shall be required to be taught, enrolled in, or take a religious value, lesson, subject, or course that is different from his or her own religion without the student’s written consent. If the student is a minor, the bill mandates that a parent or legal guardian must sign the written consent on the student’s behalf.

According to the bill, violators risk a PHP500,000 fine and/or a minimum of six years in prison.

If a company, group, or other similar entity was responsible for the breach, the officials and staff members directly responsible must pay a PHP 2 million fine and/or serve an eight-year sentence in prison.

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