Rewbles of the Philipines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quexon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8395

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO 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 HIGHER EDUCATION PARTICIPATING IN ANY PROGRAM AUTHORIZED
UNDER THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

The Constitution, Article XIV 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 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 requirements.

These constitutional provisions protect the right of every student to be admitted in 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.

LUIS FAYMUND “LR. F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.



Reebli of be Philipines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
exon City
Quexes ib

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8395

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO 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 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 Title. - 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.

(B) Outreach Activities Permitted. — Paragraph (A) does not prohibit or limit any effort


by an institution of higher education to encourage and recruit qualified women and
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.

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 a 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) to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00)
or both, at the discretion of the court. If the entity 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 subsisting.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — 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,