FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILlPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the 2003 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey 
(FLEMMS) conducted by the National Statistics Office on out-of-school youth in 
national level, it was stated that 11,640,000 or 34% percent of the 34 million 
population 6 to 24 years old population were not attending school or out of school 
youth. The survey also revealed that the foremost reasons for that were: 1) high 
cost of education; 2) employment/looking for work; and 3) lack of personal 
interest, which when taken together, is indicative of the need to provide means to 
make education more accessible to the students. 
Taking into consideration these circumstances, this bill aims to provide 
ways to help students have access to College Education despite meager 
resources. This would encourage these students to study harder and excel 
academically to become part of the top five ( 5 )  of their graduating class in order 
to avail of the provisions of this Act. Also, this would be made possible by 
requiring all state colleges and universities to admit these students automatically 
thereby giving opportunity to deserving but underprivileged students to finish 
their studies. Consequently, it would serve as an incentive for students to do 
better in elementary and high school by rewarding their hardwork and dedication 
to studies with fkee and guaranteed college education. 
Notably, there are 4,981 public high schools and 110 State Universities and 
Colleges in the Philippines. Yearly, there will be a total of 24,905 top five ( 5 )  
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students coming from these public high schools who will be given the chance to 
continue their studies in reputable educations institutions. In doing so, the state 
universities and colleges will be good vehicles to further invest in our youth, since 
the top five ( 5 )  students are the best, the creme of the crop ofpublic schools. 
Further, it is the policy of the State to protect and uphold the right of all 
citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make 
such education accessible to all. 
In light of the vital significance of education in nation building, the 
approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
ALAN PETER TOMPANERO” s. CAYETANO 
Senator 
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S. B. No. 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
MANDATING ALL STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CONFER 
AUTOMATIC ADMISSION AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO THE 
TOP FIIE (5) PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF TI1EIR GRADUATING 
CLASS, AND ALLOCATE FUNDS THEREFOR. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Iskolar Ng Bayan 
Act of 2008. )' 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of 
youth in nation building and shall promote their intellectual well-being. It is the 
policy of the State to protect and uphold the right of all citizens to quality 
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education 
accessible to all. 
Similarly, it is the policy of the State to provide quality education to the 
best of the best of our Public School students. 
To achieve these aims, automatic admission to state colleges and 
universities shall be accorded and scholarship granted to the top five (5) public 
high school students of their graduating class, subject to such reasonable rules 


and regulations of the state universities and colleges aimed at maintaining 
schools’ standards, policies and requirements. 
SECTION 3. Form of Scholarship Grants. - Scholarship grants are hereby 
granted in the form of: 
a. fkee tuition fee and other school fees to the top five (5) public high school 
students of their graduating class in all state colleges and universities; 
and 
b. exemption from taking the entrance examinations administered by state 
colleges and universities to select students for college admission. 
c. Such other allowances that may be provided by the state universities and 
colleges and/or other agencies implementing scholarship programs. 
SECTION 4. Top Five (5) Rule. - High school students who graduate in the 
top five (5) o f  their graduating class shall have automatic admission to state 
colleges and public universities. Class rank shall be based on the end of final 
grading period. 
SECTION 5. Requirements for Automatic Admission. - Top five ( 5 )  students 
who graduate in public high schools shall have automatic admission to state 
colleges and public universities if they meet the following conditions: 
a. The students graduated from public high schools within two years 
prior to the academic year for which the student is applying; 
b. The students submitted a complete application as defined by the 
college or university before the expiration of their established deadline; 
c. The students’ ranks shall be reported by the applicants’ high school 
principal/administrators in a certificate bearing the school’s name, 
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location, number of students, rank of student in hidher graduating 
class and other relevant information. 
d. A state college or university may limit the number of students admitted 
under this Act if the number of applicants eligible and applying for 
admission to the college or university exceeds by more than 5% of the 
average number of frst-time freshmen admitted the previous two 
academic years. Clear guidelines must be established by the college or 
university for the selection of students. 
SECTION 6. Annual Reporting. -Each state or university shall annually report 
to the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education the 
composition of the entering class of first-time fteshmen students admitted under 
this Act. This report shall be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education 
and Department 
of Education 
on 
or 
before a date 
set by 
the 
Commission/Department. 
SECTION 7. Allocation of Funds. - The funds for the scholarship grants shall 
be appropriated fiom the national budget and shall be included in the Annual 
General Appropriations Act as part of the budget of the Department of 
Education. 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the 
Department of Education (DEPED) shall issue the necessary implementing rules 
and regulations for the speedy and effective implementation of this scholarship 
Act. 
SECITON 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are not consistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
kom its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
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