NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. j[7fi8
Senate
itr of tljp firrrrtnrp
23 JAN 19 P5:14
RUCElVf-OBV-.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE THE 
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED 
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 
BELONGING TO THE TOP TEN OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides that "the State shall protect and promote the 
right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to 
make education accessible to all." The Constitution clearly states the role of the State 
in making sure that every citizen has equal access to quality education. However, 
through the years, the cost of quality education continues to rise, making it 
unaffordable to underprivileged students given their limited financial capacity.
This bill seeks to expand and further democratize access to quality college 
education in private higher education institutions by instituting mechanisms that 
promote the rights of the underprivileged graduating high school students and high 
school graduates belonging to the top ten of their graduating class. The exemption 
from the imposition of entrance examination fees is one such mechanism that shall 
give adequate assistance and equal opportunity to these students to pursue their 
dreams of obtaining a college education.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is sought.


SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1708
Senate
of tljf
23 J^N 19 P5:14
RECEIVED EY.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE THE 
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED 
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 
BELONGING TO THE TOP TEN OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free College Entrance
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Examinations Act of2023."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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expand and further democratize access to quality college education in private higher
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education institutions by instituting mechanisms that promote the rights of the
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underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates belonging
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to the top ten of their graduating class.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) College entrance examinations —refer to the examinations required and
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administered by higher education institutions on college entrants that is a
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criterion for determining admission to a college degree program;
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(b) Higher education institution — refers to an educational institution
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recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is legally
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authorized to offer a program of education leading to the conferment of a
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degree;


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(c) Private Higher Education Institution — refers to a higher education 
institution not owned or controlled by the government or its 
instrumentalities and may be sectarian (usually non-stock, non-profit, duly 
incorporated, owned and operated by a religious organization) or non­
sectarian (not affiliated to any religious organization, duly incorporated, 
owned and operated by private entities); and
(d) Underprivileged graduating high school students and graduates - refer to 
graduating high school students or high school graduates entering college, 
whose parents have a combined income that falls below the poverty 
threshold, as determined by the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA) and the National Household Targeting System of the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
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SEC. 4. Waiver of Fees. - All private higher education institutions are hereby
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mandated to waive college entrance examination fees to underprivileged graduating
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high school students and high school graduates belonging to the academic top ten of
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the graduating class who are applying for college admission.
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Sec. 5. Qualification Requirements. - A student shall become eligible as
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beneficiary under this Act when the following qualifications are met:
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(a) Must be a natural-bom Filipino citizen;
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(b) Must be a graduating high school student or a high school graduate who 
belongs to the academic top ten of their graduating class and seeks to be 
admitted to a private higher education institution within the country, as certified 
by the educational institution; and
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(c) Must belong to a family whose combined income falls below the poverty 
threshold, as determined by the NEDA and the DSWD.
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Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the Department of
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Education and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the


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Philippines, issue the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,