introduced by Senatol Jinggoy Ejercifo Estrada 
EXPLAN TORY NOTE 
1: 
In line with the constitutional 
andate to promote quality education at all 
the obligation but it has the avowed duty 
of learning in the Philippine 
particularly its charter 
levels of-society, th-Estate not 
to translate such constitutional 
Deemed as one of the 
educational firmament, the 
and its vision and mission 
modern day challenges of 
privilege of proposing 
into a national 
for it to address the 
As an alumnus of 
on the duty and the 
I
(
 
\ Senator 


/, 
. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
y)!l 
24 I’ : .5i 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
S. 6. 
No. 
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17 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO STRENGTHEN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AS THE NATIONAL 
UNIVERSITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECIION I. 
Title. This Act shall be known as “The University of the Philippines 
Charter of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall promote, foster, nurture and 
protect the rights of all citizens to quality education. Towards this end, it is the policy of 
the State to strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University. 
SEC. 3. Purpose of the University. As the National University, a ublic and 
secular institution of higher learning and a community of scholars dedicat d to the 
search for truth and knowledge, the University of the Philippines shall perform I 
ts unique 
and distinctive leadership in higher education and national education development 
through its combined functions, as follows: 
(1) Set standards and initiate innovations in teaching, research and faculty 
development in philosophy, the arts and humanities, the social sciences, the 
professions and engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and technology; 
and maintain centers of excellence in such disciplines and professions; 
(2) Serve as a graduate university providing advanced studies and specialization for 
scholars, scientists, writers, artists and professionals, especially those who 
serve on the faculties of state and private colleges and universities; 


(3) Seive as a research university in the various fields of expertise and 
specialization by conducting basic and applied research and dev lopment] 
promoting research in the Various colleges and universities; i 
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(4) Lead as a public service university by providing various forms of community, 
and public and volunteer service, and scholarly and technical assistance to the 
government, the private sector, and civil society while maintaining its standards 
of excellence; 
(5) Provide opportunities for training and learning in progressive leadership, 
responsible citizenship, and development of democratic values, institutions and 
practice; and 
(6) Serve as a regional and global university in connection with international and 
scientific unions with networks of universities and scholarly and professional 
associations in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. 
SEC. 4. The University System. The University of the Philippines is a university 
system and shall be composed of constituent universities established solely by its Board 
of Regents -upon the recommendation of the President of the University. 
SEC. 5. Academic Freedom. The University has the right and the responsibility 
to exercise academic freedom. 
SEC. 6. Academic Excellence. The University has the responsibility to maintain 
and enhance its high academic standards in the performance of the functions of 
instruction, research, extension and public service. 
SEC. 7. Social Responsibility. The University is committed to serve t e Filipino 
it 
must relate its activities to the needs of the Filipino people and their aspirations for 
social progress and transformation. 
nation and humanity. While it carries out the obligation to pursue universal principles, 
1 
SEC. 8. Democratic Access. No student shall be denied admission to the 
University by reason of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, or political opinion or 
affiliation. 
The University shall take affirmative steps to enhance the access of 
disadvantaged students to its programs and services. 


SEC. 9. The Board of Regents. The government of the University is vested in a 
board of regents known as the "Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines 
System," composed of: 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as Chairpe son; 
(b) The President of the University of the Philippines System 
s Vice- 
1 
Chairperson; 
(c) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture; 
(d)The Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical 
Education; 
(e) The President of the U.P. Alumni Association, to serve as Alumni Regent 
during his or her incumbency in that position; 
(f) One Faculty Regent chosen by the full-time tenured faculty members of the 
University from their ranks, to serve for a term of two (2) years; 
(9) One Student Regent, to serve for a term of one (1) year, chosen by the 
students from their ranks; 
(h) One Staff Regent representing the full-time permanent research, extension 
and professional staff (REPS) and administrative personnel and chosen by 
them from their ranks, to serve for a term of two (2) years: and 
(i) W e  (5) o%er 
Regents who have distinguished themselves in their 
professions or field of specialization chosen from a list of five (5) persons for 
every vacancy as recommended by a search committee constituted by the 
President of the University based on standards and guidelines approved by 
the Board of Regents. At least three (3) of these Regents should be alumni. 
All these Regents shall be appointed by the President of the Philip ines andi 
each serve for a term of two (2) years: Provided , That the Regen s holding 
office as members of the Board of Regents at the time of the effectivity of this 
Act shall continue to serve until the expiration of their appointments as 
provided in Executive Order No. 204-A issued by the President of the 
Philippines on July 15, 1987. 
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In vacancy in the Board of Regents of any appointive position, such vacancy 
shall be filled by appoittment by the President of the Philippines, and such appointee 
shall hold office for the unexpired term. In case of vacancy in the position of sectoral 
regents, the successor, who shall serve for the unexpired term, shall be chosen in the 
same manner as provided for the predecessor: Provided, That in the case of a sectoral 
regent, membership in the Board ceases upon suspension or separation from the 
University. 
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Members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than a tual and 
necessary expenses incurred in attendance of meetings of the Board, or 0th r official 
business authorized by the Board. 
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SEC. I O .  Powers of the Board of Regents. The administration of the University 
and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board of Regents. The Board 
shall exercise the following specific powers and duties: 
(a) 
To define the thrusts of the University and adopt broad policy 
guidelines to ensure their implementation; 
To preserve the integrity of the University of the Philippines System; 
To approve the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs 
upon recommendation of the University Council of the Constituent 
University concerned through the President of the University; 
(d ) 
To approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as 
recommended by their respective University Councils through the 
President of the University; 
(b) 
(c) 
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(e) 
To confer honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of learning, 
statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or art, upon 
recommendation of a committee created by the President of the 
University: Provided, That such degrees shall 
consideration of any payment, gift or other valuable 
To approve the .rules on student discipline upon 
not be 
the University Councils through the President of the University. 


6 
president who shall serve a full term within six (6) months 
To create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent: 
universities, 
colleges, 
institutes, 
and 
other 
academic 
and 
administrative units of the University; 
from the 
(h) 
(i) 
To establish professional chair awards; 
--- To prmide fellowships, scholarships and grants, and to award the 
same to faculty, staff and students giving special evidence of merit; 
To elect the President of the University for a term of six (6) years 
following a process of democratic consultation with the University 
community based on standards and guidelines set by the Board of 
0) 
Regents. In the event of a vacancy, the Board of Regents sh 
(m) 
To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the 
Board may deem proper to impose. Such fees and charges, including 
government subsidies and other income generated by the 


and for expenses necessary for the attainment of its 
under its approved program of expenditures; 
purposes 


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attend conferences and disseminate research: Provided, 'That the 
fellowship, scholarship or grant is authorized by the Board of Regents; 
To exercise the general powers set out in the Corporation Code; 
To delegate any of its powers to the President of the University or any 
other officials or officers as it may deem necessary; 
To prescribe rules for its own government and the discipline of the 
faculty and other personnel and to enact for the government of the 
University such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to 
( i  
law, as are consistent with the purposes of the University; and 
To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out 
the objectives of this Act. 
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SEC. 11. Quorum of the Board of Regents. A simple majority of all members 
of the Board of Regents holding office at the time the meeting is called shall constitute a 
quorum. 
SEC. 12. The President of the University. The President of the Un'versity is 
the chief academic officer, head of the University Faculty and the chief execut e officer 
of the University. The President of the University shall exercise the powers s ecifically 
provided for in this Act, those determined by the Board of Regents, those which usually 
pertain to the office of the president of a university, and those which are related or 
necessary to its functions. The Board of Regents shall determine the compensation of 
the President of the University. 
1 
SEC. 13. The Secretary of the University and of the Board sf Regents. 
There shall be a Secretary of the University appointed by the Board of Regents, who 
shall also be the Secretary of the Board, and who shall keep such records of the 
University as may be designated by the Board. 
SEC. 14. The University Council. 
There shall be in each Constituent 
University a University Council consisting of the Chancellor as Chairperson, and of all 
the faculty members in the University holding the rank of assistant professor and higher. 


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SEC. 15. Powers of the Cinivefsity Council. The University Council, I shail 
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be 
the highest academic body of each Constituent University and shall exercise the 
following powers: 
(a) 
Fix the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation, 
and the grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide 
requirements; 
Prescribe the academic programs including their institution, revision, 
abolition and merger, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents: 
Recommend to the Board of Regents the graduation of students and 
the grant of honors; 
Exercise disciplinary power over the students, through the Chancellors 
or their appropriate committees, subject to review by the President of 
the University 
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according to the limits prescribed by system-wide rules 
on student discipline; 
Undertake the periodic review of academic courses, programs, 
standards, thrusts and policies; and 
Adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this 
Act; 
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SEC. 16. The Chancellor of the Constituent University. The admini tration of 
each Constituent University is vested in the Chancellor insofar as authoriz d by the 
Board of Regents and the President of the University. 
The Chancellor of the 
Constituent University shall be elected by the Board of Regents upon nomination of the 
President of the University, following a process of democratic consultation with the 
constituents of the Constituent University based on standards and guidelines set by the 
Board of Regents. The Chancellor shall report to the President of the University, and 
shall perform the duties and functions of the office of the chancellor, subject to the 
policies and rules prescribed by the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents shall 
determine the term and comDensation of the Chancellor. 
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SEC. 17. The Fac~lty. The teaching staff of each college shall constitute its 
faculty . The College Faculty shall be presided by a Dean. The Dean shall b elected 
by the Board of Regents on nomination by the President of the University nd upon 
recommendation of the Chancellor of the Constituent University, following a process of 
democratic consultation with the constituents of the college based on standards and 
guidelines set by the Board of Regents. 
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SEG. 18. Appointment Requisites and Practice of Profession. 
Faculty 
members, as well as research, extension and professional staff (REPS) of Ihe 
University shall be exempt as such from any civil service examination or regulation as a 
requisite to appointment. The provisions of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, 
licensing requirements for professional regulatory boards shall not affect appointments 
to faculty positions. In the appointment of faculty members, no religious test shall be 
applied, nor shall the religious or political opinions or affiliations of the faculty members 
of the University be made a matter of examination or inquiry. 
SEC. 19. Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the University. 
(a) ~
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The %ate shall provide subsidy to the University of the Philippines 
System as the national university in the form of lump sum amount, 
through general appropriations and other financial benefits, and in 
kind, through land grants and donations and use of real properties. To 
carry out the intent of these grants, income derived from the 
development of all land grants and real properties shall b used to 
further the ends of the University, as may be decided by the Board of 
Regents. 
1 .  
(b) 
Such parcels of land ceded by law, decree or presidential issuance to 
the University of the Philippines, are hereby declared to be reserved 
for the purposes intended. The absolute ownership of the University 
over these landholdings including those covered by original and 
transfer certificates Of title in the name of the University of the 
Philippines and their future derivatives is hereby confirmed. Where 


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the issuance of proper cerliiicates of title is yet pending for these 
landholdings, the appropriate government office shall expedite the 
issuance thereof within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of 
this Act provided that all registration requirements necessary for the 
issuance of the said titles have been submitted and complied 
The Board of Regents may plan, design, approve andlor c use the 
implementation of contracts, mechanisms, and financial instruments, 
such as joint ventures, long-term leases, fully-owned subsidiaries, 
securitisation and outright sale, to give the University the flexibility to 
generate revenues and other resources from land grants and other 
properties: Provided, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall 
sustain and protect the environment in accordance with law, and be 
exclusive of the academic core zone of the campuses of the University 
of the Philippines. 
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SEC. 20. Auditing of Accounts. 
All accounts and disbursements of' the 
University shall be audited by the Commission on Audit. 
SEC. 21. Institutional Autonomy as the National University. 
To provide 
greater flexibility to the University, it shall be treated in a manner consistent with its 
institutional-FequiremeEWas the national university by the service-wide agencies in the 
exercise of their respective jurisdiction. 
SEC. 22. Rules of Construction. No statutory or other issuances shall diminish 
the powers, rights, privileges and benefits accorded to the University under this Act or 
enjoyed at present by the University under other issuances not otherwise modified OF 
repealed under this Act, unless subsequent legislation expressly 
repeal, amendment or modification. Any case of doubt in the 
provisions of this Charter shall be resolved in favor of the academic freedom bnd fiscal 
autonomy of the University of the Philippines. 
SEC. 23. Appropriations. The amount needed to carry out the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year's lump sum appropriation and 


unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. Act No. 1870, as amended, and all laws, 
orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent 
Philippines. 
this Act. 
decrees, 
with the 
Approved,