SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1 2 3 5
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NOV 10 
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Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam " A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
PROHIBITING A "NO PERMIT, NO EXAM" POLICY OR ANY SUCH POLICY THAT PREVENTS 
STUDENTS OF ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FROM TAKING THEIR EXAMINATIONS DUE 
TO UNPAID TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
High-quality education is a dream all Filipino parents have for their children and they 
often go to great lengths to send them to the best schools in the country.
Unfortunately, the mounting financial requirements of raising children today leave 
some parents unable to pay their child's tuition and other fees on time.
Adding to the anxiety is a widespread discriminatory practice in schools that 
prevents students with outstanding balances from taking examinations. As a result, many 
students' academic careers are compromised when they are disallowed from taking final 
examinations.
This bill seeks to criminalize the "No permit. No exam" policy in schools, and make it 
illegal for any school to prevent a student from taking examinations due to unpaid fees.
By penalizing this unlawful practice, Filipino families stand to gain by guaranteeing 
that students unable to settle educational fees on-time, may still benefit from the continuity 
of their education once outstanding balances are fully paid.
In addition, this bill also promotes the welfare of educational institutions by putting 
in place measures that protect a school's right to fair payment for tuition and miscellaneous 
fees.
It is of utmost importance to protect the welfare of our students and ensure that 
they have a fair opportunity to complete their education.
This legislation will greatly benefit students and families who suffer financial distress 
during the examination season and uphold the dignity of every student in schools.


In view o f the foregoing, the passing o f this bill is earnestly sought.
Senator Paolo B enignorBam " Aquino IV


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATfoor
i.B. No. 
I c O O
of t h r ^ f r r r l i ' t
*16 
NOV 10 
A10 3 8
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam " A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
PROHIBITING A "NO PERMIT, NO EXAM" POLICY OR ANY SUCH POLICY THAT PREVENTS 
STUDENTS OF ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FROM TAKING THEIR EXAMINATIONS DUE 
TO UNPAID TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Banning a No Permit, No 
Exam Policy Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It shall be the policy o f the State to  protect and 
prom ote the right o f all the citizens to  quality education at all levels. The State shall take 
appropriate steps to  make such education accessible to all. Thus, it is hereby declared 
unlawful for any educational institution, whether public or private to disallow any student 
from  taking any examination due to  non- payment of tuition and other school fees.
SEC. 3. Coverage. -T h is  Act shall cover the follow ing educational institutions:
a) Private elementary schools;
b) Private secondary schools;
c) 
Public and private post-secondary technical -vocational institutes; and
d) Public and private Higher Education institutions (HEIs), including local 
colleges and universities.
SEC. 4. No Permit, No Exam Policy. -  Schools shall be prohibited from  adopting a 
"No Permit, No Exam Policy", which lim its the right to  every student to take examinations 
notwithstanding the existence o f unpaid financial obligations to the school. Provided, That 
the parents or legal guardian of the student provide a promissory note, addressed to the 
school, indicating the am ount and the date o f payment.
The school shall reserve the right to  pursue the recovery o f the unpaid tuition fees 
through proper court action where civil rights and liabiiities may be judicialiy established 
and collected. This shall not prohibit the student, parents, or iegal guardians to seek


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inform al means o f resolving tuition fee disputes or enter into an agreement w ith the school 
before proceeding to court.
SEC. 5. Prohibited Acts. -  The follow ing acts shall be prohibited:
a) Disallowing students w ith due and unpaid tuition and other school fees from  
taking examinations or providing a different schedule o f exam from  the rest 
o f the student body; and
b) Requiring the students to secure a special perm it to  take the examinations 
from  the school authorities prior to the adm inistration o f examinations.
SEC. 6. Penoities. - Any educational institution official or employee, including deans, 
coordinators, advisers, professors, instructors, principals, teachers and other concerned 
individuals found guilty o f violating any o f the unlawful acts enumerated in Section 7 o f this 
Act shall be punished by a fine o f not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 20,000.00) but 
not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00).
SEC. 7. impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. 
-The Departm ent of Education 
(DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development A uthority (TESDA) and Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) shall issue the rules and regulations necessary to im plem ent the 
provisions o f this Act w ithin sixty (60) days from  the date o f its approval.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part o f this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby and 
shall remain in force and effect.
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Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, issuances, adm inistrative order, rules and regulations contrary to  or 
inconsistent w ith any provision o f this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in any tw o (2) newspapers o f general circulation.