THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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First Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution states that “the State shall protect and promote the 
right of its citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate 
steps to make such education accessible to all”. 
But due to the ever unstable economic condition, the fluctuating inflation 
rate and the worsening unemployment percentage that befall our citizens, access 
to quality tertiary education is slowly becoming a rich man’s option rather than a 
regular and normal phase to undertake in every people’s academic endeavor. 
It is therefore, imperative upon the State to provide all available 
government resources in affording its people, especially those who are 
economically distressed, a system of free public college education that will give 
them equal opportunity in earning and acquiring the necessary college degree, 
primordially required in joining a more competitive and profitable working 
environment. 
By instituting a free public college education system in our country, we 
would be helping more of our less privileged constituents in realizing their dream 
of obtaining a college diploma- the symbol of most people’s culmination of 
academic pursuit. Also, through this legislative measure, we are able to provide 
these youth with the basic leverage in securing descent employment for 
themselves in the near future. 
In view of this, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly recommended 
f 
ClTO ESTRADA 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT TO INSTITUTE A FREE PUBLIC COLLEGE EDUCATION 
SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Free 
Public Education System Act of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
state to provide all available government resources to the enhancement of 
education at all levels. In this regard, the state shall actively pursue a free public 
college education system in the country. 
SEC. 3. Institution of a Free Public College Education System. - 
There is hereby instituted a free public education system in the country open to 
all qualified and deserving Filipino students. 
SEC. 4. Courses - The System shall initially offer general courses in 
Liberal Arts, Education, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, 
Business Management and Administration, Accounting, Humanities, Philosophy 
and Literature. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall propose 
additional courses as it may deem appropriate at the proper time. 
SEC. 5. Lead Agency. - The CHED shall be the lead agency tasked with 
the principal implementation of the Free Public College Education System. 
SEC. 6. farficipating Educational Institutions. - Initially, the 
educational institutions that will offer their facilities and services for the System 
are as follows: 
1. 
2. 
Philippine Normal University; 
The University of the Philippines System; 


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3. 
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National Teachers College; 
5. 
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Other government owned and controlled universities and 
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; 
Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and 
colleges situated in the various provinces of the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. lmplementing Rules and Regulations. - The CHED in 
coordination with the Department of Budget and Management shall formulate 
and promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the 
year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act were 
to be declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and in effect. 
SEC. I O .  Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days from the date 
of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,