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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9457 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ENSURING ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION BY PROHIBITING THE DENIAL OF 
ENROLLMENT, 
WITHHOLDING 
OF SCHOOL RECORDS AND 
OTHER 
DOCUMENTS FOR CLEARANCE PURPOSES, IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR NON-
PAYMENT OF MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER FEES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The fundamental right to education is a cornerstone of a just and 
equitable society. Education not only empowers individuals but also plays a 
pivotal role in shaping the destiny of nations. Recognizing this, the State has 
consistently endeavored to establish a system of free, quality, and accessible 
public education for all Filipino citizens. 
However, despite these noble intentions, we are confronted with the 
stark reality that many of our students are being denied their right to access 
quality education due to the imposition of fees that go beyond the capacity of 
their families to pay. It is in this context that this legislative proposal, known as 
the "Anti-Education Extortion Act," is presented. 
This proposed law seeks to address the deeply concerning issue of 
"education extortion" - the practice wherein school officials and personnel 
mandate the payment of miscellaneous and other fees as a condition for 
enrollment or for the release of school records and documents essential for 
clearance procedures. Such practices not only undermine the principle of 
accessible education but also impose an unjust financial burden on students and 
their families. 
November 7, 2023
3:48 pm


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The core principle underlying this bill is the unequivocal assertion of every 
Filipino's right to access quality education, regardless of their financial 
circumstances. It is a statement that reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity, 
equity, and social justice within the educational system. 
Under this proposed law, any individual holding an official position within 
public schools, including public school officials, educators, instructors, 
professors, principals, administrative personnel, trainers, or their agents, who 
engages in the act of education extortion will be held accountable for their 
actions. These actions may involve the coercive demand for fees as prerequisites 
for enrollment or for the release of critical school records and documents. 
This bill not only defines and criminalizes education extortion but also 
prescribes penalties for its commission, ensuring that those who engage in such 
practices are held accountable under the law. Moreover, it mandates the 
promulgation of implementing rules and regulations by the relevant 
government agencies to ensure effective enforcement. 
In closing, the "Anti-Education Extortion Act" is a testament to our 
unwavering commitment to the right to education as a cornerstone of 
democracy and social progress. It is a declaration of our dedication to fostering 
a society where every citizen, regardless of their economic status, has the 
opportunity to participate fully in and benefit from the educational resources 
offered by the state. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9457 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ENSURING ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION BY PROHIBITING THE DENIAL OF 
ENROLLMENT, 
WITHHOLDING 
OF SCHOOL RECORDS AND 
OTHER 
DOCUMENTS FOR CLEARANCE PURPOSES, IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR NON-
PAYMENT OF MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER FEES 
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-Education 
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Extortion Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to ensure the accessibility of public education to all Filipino citizens, 
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irrespective of their financial capacity to pay tuition fees or other related 
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charges. The state shall uphold the fundamental right of every Filipino to access 
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quality education, emphasizing inclusivity, equity, and social justice as the 
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cornerstones of the educational system. 
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Public education institutions shall not deny enrollment, withhold academic 
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records or documents, or impose any form of punitive measures on students due 
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to non-payment of fees, with the goal of fostering a society where every citizen 
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has the opportunity to fully participate in and benefit from the educational 
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resources offered by the state. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following 
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terms shall mean: 
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(a) “Miscellaneous fees” refer to additional charges or fees imposed on 
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students, apart from regular tuition fees, that cover various costs associated with 
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the delivery of educational and training services and the enhancement of the 
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overall learning experience, including but not limited to fees for athletic, library, 
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laboratory, medical and dental, school publication, and membership. 
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(b) “Other fees” means additional fees imposed by the school which are not 
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included in the "miscellaneous fees." 
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(c) “Public school” means any publicly funded educational institution, 
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including public elementary and high schools, state universities and colleges, 
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local universities and colleges, and state vocational and training institutions. 
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(d) “School records” refer to a collection of official and academic 
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documents, records, and information maintained by the school. These records 
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are crucial for tracking and documenting a student's educational history, 
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progress, and achievements, including but not limited to enrollment records, 
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personal information, academic transcripts, report cards, diplomas and 
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certificates, attendance records, behavioral records, standardized test scores, 
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health records, transfer and admission records, special education records, 
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extracurricular activity records and graduation and commencement records. 
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SECTION 4. Offense. — Any individual holding an official position, including 
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but not limited to public school officials, educators, instructors, professors, 
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principals, administrative personnel, trainers, or their agents, who mandates or 
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requires the payment of miscellaneous and other fees as a prerequisite for 
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enrollment, or for the provision of school records and other documents essential 
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for clearance procedures, shall be deemed to have committed the offense of 
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education extortion. 
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SECTION 5. Penalty. — Any person who commits the unlawful act 
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enumerated in the previous section shall be punished with imprisonment of not 
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less than one (1) month and not more than one (1) year, a fine of not less than 
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five thousand (₱50,000.00) pesos nor more than ten thousand (₱100,000.00) 
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pesos, or three (3) months of community service, or a combination thereof, at 
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the discretion of the court. This is without prejudice to any administrative 
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liabilities that may be imposed on the erring public school personnel. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, the Commission 
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on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development 
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Authority shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
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effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that 
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may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying 
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other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or 
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provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
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general circulation, or a website provided for by law.
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Approved,