THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF TI-IE PHILIPPINES 
1 
"c)$ 
.JL 16 p 4 :5 I 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 14 provides: 
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 
male 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 requirements. 
These coiistitutioiial provisions protect the right of every student to be admitted in 
j 
any institution of,his choice. 
~ 
This bill seeks to prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment on 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. 
! 
MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGOA" 


i 
'04 
JJL 16 P 4 5 1  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF; THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Sesdion 
1 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TQ PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AND PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT ON 
THE BASIS OF SEX, ETHNICITY, PHYSICAL CONDITION, RELIGIOUS 
BELIEF OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN CONNECTION WITH ADMISSION 
TO AN INSTITUTION OF HJGHER EDUCATION PARTICIPATING IN ANY 
PROGRAM AUTHORIZED UNDER THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER 
EDUCATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House OfRepresentatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
~ 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be ltnown 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. 
I 
SECTION 3. Prohibition against discrimination andpreferential treatment. 
(a) Prohibition - No institution of higher education that 
puticipates in any program authorized under the Coinmission 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. 


institution 
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 agaiust 
violators of this Act. 
if such recruitment or encouragement does not involve granting 
SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any person violating any provision of this Act or of 
the rules and regulations promulgated shall, upon conviction by a court of competent 
jurisdiction, suffer the penalty of iinprisoiment of not less than one month but not more 
than one year or a fine ofP20,000.00 to P50,000.00 or both, at the discretion of the court. 
Provided, that in the case of corporations, partnerships, or associations, the president, or 
administrator, or the person who has charge of the institution, shall be civilly respomible 
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 subsisting. 
~ 
I 
I 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contraiy to, 
or inconsistent with, the provision of this 'Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 


SECTION 8. Eflectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved: 
Fn: 1455 
I