REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
QUEZON CITY 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 940 
Introduced by Representative SHIRLYN L. BAÑAS-NOGRALES
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Access to quality legal education in Mindanao remains limited, often requiring students 
from General Santos City and nearby provinces to relocate to distant urban centers.  While the 
Mindanao State University (MSU) System plays a vital role in higher education across the 
region, its General Santos campus remains largely an extension program of its main campus in 
Marawi City.  This arrangement hampers its ability to respond promptly and effectively to the 
growing demand for professional programs such as law. 
This Bill seeks to establish the Mindanao State University – General Santos College of 
Law to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality legal education in Southern Mindanao. 
By granting it its own structure under the MSU Board of Regents, the proposed College of Law 
will enjoy greater operational flexibility, enabling it to develop academic programs, manage 
finances, and enter into partnerships tailored to local needs.  It will offer graduate degrees in law, 
undertake research, extension, and legal aid services, and help cultivate competent, ethical, and 
socially responsible legal professionals. 
Ultimately, this measure will not only ease the burdens of aspiring law students but will 
also strengthen the justice sector and contribute to the socio-economic development of General 
Santos City and the wider region. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly sought. 
SHIRLYN L. BAÑAS-NOGRALES 
July 1, 2025
3:37 pm


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
QUEZON CITY 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 940 
Introduced by Representative SHIRLYN L. BAÑAS-NOGRALES
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY – GENERAL 
SANTOS COLLEGE OF LAW, PROVIDING FOR ITS ORGANIZATION, 
ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Mindanao State University – 
General Santos College of Law Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote accessible and quality legal education, and to develop competent, ethical, and socially 
responsible members of the legal profession. 
SECTION 3. Creation of the College of Law. – There is hereby created a College of 
Law to be known as the “Mindanao State University – General Santos College of Law,” 
hereinafter referred to as the College, which shall be established in General Santos City. 
SECTION 4. Administration. – The administration and operation of the College shall be 
vested in the MSU Board of Regents, in accordance with the Charter of Mindanao State 
University System. The Board shall have the authority to appoint the Dean and other officials, 
prescribe academic programs, and promulgate rules and regulations for the effective operation of 
the College. 
SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. — The College, subject to the rules and 
regulations duly approved by the Board of Regents, shall have the following powers and 
functions: (a) To offer the graduate programs in Juris Doctor, Masters of Laws, and Doctor of 
Laws; (b) To confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates to successful candidates; (c) To 
undertake research, extension, and legal aid programs; (d) To enter into agreements with other 
institutions, subject to existing laws; (e) To receive and appropriate funds for its support and 
development; and (f) To perform such other acts as may be necessary for the attainment of its 
objectives. 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of Mindanao State University – 
General Santos. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and 
maintenance of the College shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
To further strengthen the capacity of the College in legal education, research, instruction, 
and facilities development, an MSU–General Santos City College of Law Fund in the amount of 


Ten Million Pesos (₱10,000,000.00) per year for a period of five years shall be appropriated, in 
addition to the regular appropriations and increases for the College under the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA).  This fund shall likewise be included in the annual GAA and shall be 
disbursed by the Board of Regents strictly in accordance with the purposes of this Act.  
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 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,