FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide, consistent with the mandate imposed by the Constitution under Article 
XIV, guarantee and protection to Filipino children who are bona fide residents of the town or 
city where the school is located in their access to educational facilities and services. 
It is guaranteed by no less than the fundamental law under Section 1 of Article XIV on 
Education that “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.” 
Moreover, Section 4(1) of the said Article recognizes the complementary roles of public and 
private institutions in the educational system and mandates that the State shall exercise 
reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions. 
Section 5(1) of the said Article, furthermore, stresses the significance of taking into account the 
regional and sectoral needs and conditions and the encouragement by the State of local planning 
in developing educational policies and programs, as well as in ensuring access to quality 
education in the local level. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of the bill is strongly recommended 
ANfONb “SONNY” F. TRILLANES 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH 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 Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION 
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 “Public School 
Democratization Law of 2008”. 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - In order to strengthen the mandate of the 
Constitution concerning education under Article XIV, it is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to afford full protection to and’assure access to quality education for Filipino children who are 
bona fide residents of a particular province or city where the school is located. 
Pursuant to the foregoing state policy, this Act shall consolidate and institutionalize 
existing government efforts in effecting meaningful programs on education. 
SEC. 3. 
Prohibited Act. - It is hereby declared unlawful for any public school 
official, principal, faculty, or employee to refuse admission of any student in a primary or 
secondary public school, for whatever reasons, in a community where the said student is a bona 
fide resident as certified by the Barangay Captain. 
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SEC. 4. 
Promulgation of Rules and Regulation. - The Department of Education 
shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations liberalizing access to education for Filipino 
children who are residing in the same municipality, city, or province where the school is located. 
SEC. 5. 
Penal Clause. - Any public school official, principal, faculty, or employee 
who violates any provision of this Act, or the rules and regulations thereof shall, after 
undergoing administrative due process, be punished with one (1) month suspension from service 
and fined with five thousand pesos (PS,OOO.OO) for the first offense, dismissal from service and 
temporary disqualification to hold public office for a period of six (6) months for the second 
offense; and dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification to hold public office for the 
third offense. 
SEC. 6. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be taken from the funds of the Department of Education and shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 8. 
SeparubiZity Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof, shall not be 
affected thereby. 
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SEC. 9. 
Effectivig. - This Act shall take effect upon its complete publication in at 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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