Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2958

INTRODUCED BY: HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment of the
basis of sex, ethnic consideration; physical condition, religious belief, or political
affiliation in connection with admission to an institution of higher education participating
in any program authorized under the Commission on Higher Education.

* The bill implements the principle enshrined in the Constitution, Article XIV which
provides that: J

Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all

Section 5. (3) Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study,
subject to fair, reasonable, and equitable admission and academic requirement

Thus, in view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

Representative, 1°* District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2958

INTRODUCED BY: HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AND PREFRENTIAL TREATMENT ON THE BASIS
OF SEX, ETHNICITY, PHYSICAL CONDITION, RELIGIOUS BELIEF OR POLITICAL
AFFILIATION IN CONNECTION WITH ADMISSION TO AN INSTITUTION OF
HIGHER EDUCATION PARTICIPATING IN ANY PROGRAM AUTHORIZED UNDER
THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Ttitle. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Discrimination in
College Admission Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to protect, foster and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education particularly on tertiary level. In
accordance with this policy, the State is mandated to take appropriate steps to ensure
that education shall be accessible to all

SECTION 3. Prohibition Against Discrimination and Preferential Treatment. —

(A) Prohibition. — No institution of higher education that participates in any program

authorized under the Commission on Higher Education shall in connection with
admission to such institution, discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment
to any person or group based in whole or in part on the sex, ethnicity, physical
condition, religious belief or political affiliation of such person or group.
Outreach Activities Permitted. - Paragraph (A) does not prohibit or limit any effort
by an institution of higher education to encourage and recruit qualified women an
d minorities to seek admission to such institution if such recruitment or
encouragement does not involve granting preferential treatment, in selecting any
person for admission, that is based in whole or in part on sex, ethnicity, physical
condition, religious belief or political affiliation

(B)

SECTION 4. Enforcement. — The Commission on Higher Education shall be the
enforcement agency. As such, the Commission shall prepare the ‘necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act, conduct investigations against
violators of this Act.

SECTION 5. Penalties. — Any person violating any provision of this Act or of the rules
and regulations promulgated shall, upon conviction by court of competent jurisdiction,
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than one
year or a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) in violation of this Act is a
corporation, partnership, or association, the president, or administrator, or the person
who has charge of the institution shall be civilly responsible for any violation of this Act
and/or rules and regulations promulgated.


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsiting.

SECTION 7. Repealing Cause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to , or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,