Promote honesty in public schools, House resolution tells DepEd

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on basic education and culture has approved a resolution allowing public schools to post signages that read “Honesty is the Best Policy” in classrooms in bid to inculcate honesty to youngsters.

Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, who presided over the committee deliberations, said House Resolution 895 mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the posting of said signages in all public schools and offices of the DepEd.

“I am just so worried that honesty is barely, or rarely used now in education and in everything that we say and do,” according to Davao Oriental Rep. Thelma Almario, principal author of the resolution.

Almario said classrooms are the best place to put up the signages “because the word honesty carries with it the positive attitude of integrity and truthfulness, which every school must uphold and instill among its students.”

“Those who are at the frontline, in contact with the younger generations, have to stand responsibly… carrying their lifestyle to be honest,” she said.

“So we go back to what we learned years ago and in fact during our time when we were still in the elementary school. Among the very important values that had to be learned by us was honesty is the best policy,” she added.

The administration lawmaker also cited President Aquino’s “Daang Matuwid,” or the righteous path battlecry.

“The signage will serve as an effective medium to promote good manners and right conduct and will greatly benefit the overall personality of students to become conscientious and upright citizens,” Almario said.

Deputy Majority Leader and Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo said the signage should also be translated to other dialects.

Co-authors of the measure are Sarmiento, Gunigundo and Reps. Bernardo Vergara (Baguio City), Mariano Piamonte Jr. (A Teacher party-list), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (Makati City) and Rosenda Ann Ocampo (Manila).