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House leader wants mandatory Bible reading in public elementary, secondary schools


House Minority Leader Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. has filed a measure seeking to make Bible reading mandatory in all public elementary and secondary schools in the country.

In House Bill 2069, Abante, himself the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Ekklesia, proposed for such a policy with the hope that it will guide people, especially the country's leaders, towards the path of righteousness.

According to him, while the Philippines is regarded as the only Christian nation in Asia, its people may have failed to truly appreciate the relevance, importance and power of the Bible.

"If only the Bible is read, proclaimed, obeyed and practiced, the Philippines, our beloved and only country, would be a much better place to live in, and our government would be a government of honesty, righteousness and order," he said.

"If only biblical discipline, principles and standards are taught and inculcated in the minds of our children, there would be no much problems on leadership, governance, and peace and order," he added.

The bill proposes that the English and Filipino subjects in public elementary and secondary schools in the country will include the reading of, discussion and examination on the Bible.

In case of Muslim students, the same subjects will include the reading of, discussion and examination on the Quran.

The Secretary of the Department of Education is tasked to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the measure for the proper compliance of its provisions within 30 days from its effectivity. —KBK, GMA News