A party-list congressman is urging a review of the implementation of the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Act following the recent school shooting in Tacloban City, which has renewed concerns over youth violence and discipline.
As Republic Act No. 11476 marks its sixth year since enactment on June 25, 2020, CIBAC Party-List Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva said there is a need to assess whether the law is achieving its intended goal of strengthening character formation among Filipino learners.
The lawmaker, who authored the measure, said the incident underscores the importance of reinforcing values education in schools, particularly amid growing exposure of young people to harmful online content and social media influences.
Reports earlier indicated that the minors involved in the Tacloban incident were allegedly exposed to violent content online, raising broader questions on the role of digital platforms in shaping youth behavior.
He said the GMRC law was designed to cultivate responsibility, respect, compassion, and integrity, but stressed that values formation cannot rely on schools alone.
“Six years after the passage of the GMRC and Values Education Act, we must honestly ask ourselves: Are we merely teaching lessons, or are we pursuing real character formation?” he asked, warning against the “values-eroding influences” of the online environment.
He emphasized that character building starts at home, noting that parents remain the primary influence in shaping a child’s behavior and moral foundation.
“The home remains the first school, and parents remain the first teachers,” he said, adding that no formal curriculum can replace day-to-day guidance within families.
The lawmaker also called on the Department of Education and other concerned agencies to evaluate how the GMRC curriculum is being implemented in schools and to identify gaps that need strengthening, especially in light of rising mental health concerns and digital exposure among youth.
Villanueva said addressing youth violence requires a whole-of-society approach involving families, schools, faith-based institutions, communities, and government agencies.
“The tragic incident in Tacloban reminds us that laws alone cannot transform society,” he emphasized, stressing the need to foster a culture that promotes accountability, respect for life, and moral responsibility.
He added that the goal of education should go beyond academic achievement, and must also focus on producing students who are “morally grounded, socially responsible, and guided by compassion and integrity.”