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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
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NOV 19 F 3 35
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution mandates nondiscrimination, as may be reflected in
Article 111, Section 1 of the Bill of Rights. Therefore, the State is duty-bound to
safeguard its citizens against all forms of discriminatory acts in everyday life - in
business establishments, schools and at work, in order to promote equal protection and
elimination of stereotypes and prejudices.
Likewise, it is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order in our country,
and if it is any lesson upon us, the recently concluded issue on the MOA-AD gave us a
sampling of how passionate our brothers and sisters fkom Mindanao are about their
freedom, including their freedom from being discriminated.
This legislation provides for a means by which peace can be fostered in all three
major islands of the Philippines, with emphasis on Mindanao where Muslims constitute a
large portion of the population. By providing for a law that prohibits discrimination
against people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, peace and harmony can be
ultimately achieved.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.