An evangelist turned legislator on Friday expressed hopes the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) will support his proposal to display the Ten Commandments in every school nationwide
Cibac (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva made the statement after President Marcos said he will announce the new DepEd Secretary, who will replace Vice President and outgoing DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, by the end of June.
“I will propose to the new DepEd Secretary the posting of the Ten Commandments in our schools in order to promote the spiritual and moral well-being of the Filipino youth as mandated by the Constitution,” Villanueva said.
“This is a fitting initiative for schools as complementary institution of the church in strengthening the moral fiber of our youth. I hope the incoming DepEd head will support it.”
“The Bible states in Proverbs 22:6 that when we teach our children in their prime years the foundational values that make God-centered and humane citizens, they will live out those lessons throughout their lifetime,” he added.
By displaying and teaching the Ten Commandments in schools, Villanueva said “we will be able to raise our youth in the fear of God, which is a key element for a stable and successful society. In fact, the measure would be a cost-efficient way of reviving our country’s moral health because we would have already nipped at the bud various moral, social, and political problems.”
The CIBAC solon also clarified that the Ten Commandments is not a mere religious tenet exclusive to Christianity.
“Throughout history, Christians and non-Christians alike have acknowledged the universal applicability of the Ten Commandments in molding good citizens. It is more than just a set of religious teachings; the Commandments are a guide for nation building and social cohesion,” he said.
Villanueva said he will file a bill that will institutionalize the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools. This is inspired by a recent law in Louisiana, USA, which does the same.
Villanueva said he also prays that the new DepEd Secretary would integrate the Decalogue in the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) subject of the K-12 curriculum.