Party-list lawmaker pushes good governance subjects in elementary, secondary schools

MANILA, Philippines—Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond Palatino is proposing that the anti-corruption crusade be integrated in the elementary and high school curriculum.

Palatino filed House Bill 5417, or the Good Governance Education Act of 2011, mandating the Department of Education to include good governance topics in the social science subjects.

This means that elementary and high school students would have to brush up on the anti-corruption laws such as  Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution accountability of public officers, Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Palatino said teaching students good governance, ethics and accountability would inculcate the value of having a “moral leader.”

“Even at an early age, our youth should be empowered to engage their leaders and contribute to social development. Educating our children on the ideals of public service will encourage them to get involved in bettering public and civic affairs,” Palatino said.

Palatino hopes that the measure would establish a broad base of model citizens and public servants armed with “the ideals of patriotism, justice, responsibility and integrity, are accountable to and are in service of the Filipino people.”