t •
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 2010
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©ttict of tljf i&i ’I'
21 JAN 21 P3S5
REC;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM WITHHOLDING 
THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF STUDENTS BY REASON OF NON­
PAYMENT OF TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Many Filipino children have been forced to stop attending school due to poverty. 
When parents or guardians could no longer support the education expenses of their 
children, including daily allowances and transportation costs, the option is to enroll to 
another school with minimal expense, if not totally stop schooling. However, most 
schools do not release the students’ official records if the student cannot pay the 
school fees in full or fails to settle financial obligations with the school.
Unfortunately, this inability to secure the required school record forces the 
student to stop school altogether, until he/she has enough funds to pay his/her 
outstanding obligations. This, in turn, results in the delay in the education of the 
student, which further delays his/her entry into the labor force.
Under current rules of the Department of Education (DepEd),1 transferees from 
public and private schools in the Philippines who failed to submit their school records 
during early registration or upon enrollment will only be temporarily enrolled until the 
submission of required documents on or before August 31st of the current year. Only 
upon complete submission of the documentary requirements will the learner be tagged 
as officially enrolled. Otherwise, the student will not be officially promoted to a higher 
grade level. The concerned student will also not be recognized in the event that he/she 
attains the qualifying average and other criteria for academic honors.
1 DepEd Order No. 03. s. 2018, Re: Basic Enrollment Policy (January 26.2018).
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This bill seeks to reiterate the State policy to provide education to our children 
and youth, by ensuring that their school records will not be withheld by reason of non­
payment of school fees. Under this bill, a student who has unpaid balance from the 
school only needs to submit a promissory note to the school, committing to pay the 
unpaid amount within a reasonable period. This bill also seeks a balance to between 
upholding the right of the youth to education, and the right of school owners to 
reasonable returns on their investment.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 2010
of t!>c
21
R£C i;
21 P3 55
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM 
WITHHOLDING THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF STUDENTS BY 
REASON OF NON-PAYMENT OF TUITION AND OTHER 
SCHOOL FEES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Withholding of 
Student Records Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to give priority to education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate 
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.
SEC. 3. Unlawful Practice. - It shall be unlawful for any education institution 
in the country to withhold or otherwise cause, directly or indirectly, the delay in 
the release of the official records of the students by reason of non-payment, in 
part or in full, of tuition and/or other school fees.
SEC. 4. Obligation of Students, Parents, and Guardians. - Students who 
have enrolled in any education institution who wish to obtain their academic 
records, appropriate certifications or other pertinent documents for whatever


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purpose, but are financially-incapable to settle, in part or in full, their tuition 
and/or other school fees, shall be allowed to obtain their academic records, 
appropriate certifications or other pertinent documents upon the execution of a 
promissory note or other equivalent document in favor of the school covering 
the unpaid obligation.
The promissory note, which shall indicate the purpose of obtaining the 
academic records, appropriate certifications or other pertinent documents from 
the education institution, may be signed and executed solely by the student if 
such student is 21 years or older. If the student is above 18 years old but below 
21 years old, the promissory note shall be signed and executed by the student, 
coupled with the written conformity of the parents guaranteeing the 
performance of the obligation of the student with regard to any unpaid 
obligations to the education institution. If the student is a minor, the promissory 
note shall be signed and executed by at least one of the parents or the legal 
guardian of the student. Provided, That nothing herein shall prohibit the parties 
from agreeing to release the school records and other documents of the student 
without any promissory note or similar document.
SEC. 4. Penalties. - Any officer or employee of the education institution 
responsible for releasing the official records of the students who violates any 
provisions of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than Ten 
Thousand Pesos (Phpl 0,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(Php50,000.00) or imprisonment on not less than one (1) month but not more 
than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the Cou-I.
Any education institution found to have violated provisions of this Act 
shall be administratively punished with suspension or cancellation of its permit 
to operate by the Department of Educatioh (DepEd), the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), or the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) and pay an administrative fine of not less than Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (Phpl 00,000.00)


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SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - DepEd, TESDA, and CHED, 
in coordination with relevant agencies and sectors, shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 6. Separability Ciause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which 
are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, 
or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,