Law Summary
Authority and Implementation
- The President of the Philippines, exercising constitutional powers, directed the Secretary of Public Instruction to enforce the teaching of civic and ethical principles.
- The principles were drafted by distinguished citizens to guide immediate compliance with the constitutional mandate.
Faith and National Love
- Encourages faith in Divine Providence guiding the fate of individuals and nations.
- Instills love for the country as the home, source of happiness, and well-being.
- Emphasizes defense of the country as a primary duty, including readiness for self-sacrifice if necessary.
Respect for the Constitution and Government
- Commands respect for the Constitution as the expression of sovereign will.
- Recognizes the government as established for the safety and welfare of the people.
- Requires obedience to laws and monitoring compliance by public officials.
Civic Duties and Responsibilities
- Obligates citizens to pay taxes willingly and promptly.
- Emphasizes that citizenship includes rights and responsibilities.
- Instructs safeguarding the purity of elections and respecting majority decisions.
Family and Personal Honor
- Highlights the duty to love, respect, and serve parents gratefully.
- Values personal honor at the highest level, preferring poverty with honor over wealth with dishonor.
Ethical Conduct and Social Behavior
- Advocates truthfulness and honesty in thought and action.
- Encourages justice, charity, courtesy, and dignity in interpersonal dealings.
- Promotes a clean, frugal, simple lifestyle, avoiding frivolity and pretense.
- Calls for modesty in dress and behavior.
Patriotism and Historical Reverence
- Encourages living according to noble national traditions.
- Urges veneration of national heroes whose lives exemplify duty and honor.
Work Ethic and Industriousness
- Stresses industriousness and the dignity of manual labor.
- Connects productive work with economic security and national wealth.
- Advises reliance on personal effort for progress and happiness.
- Encourages perseverance, cheerfulness, thoroughness, and punctuality in work.
- Warns against procrastination.
Social Responsibility and Community Welfare
- Reminds citizens that they belong to society with definite responsibilities beyond personal and family interests.
- Calls for active contribution to community welfare and promotion of social justice.
Economic Nationalism and Resource Conservation
- Promotes use and patronage of goods, products, and trades of Filipino origin.
- Urges sustainable development and conservation of natural resources as inalienable national heritage.
Citizenship Integrity
- Warns against trafficking or compromising one’s citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Formal Adoption
- The directive was effectuated through an executive order signed by the President and Secretary to the President in Manila, August 19, 1939.