NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate
23 JAN 12 P5 -49
s. No. 1672
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING FREE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS TO THE 
UNDERPRIVILEGED PUBLIC SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING 
STUDENTS AND GRADUATES BELONGING TO THE TOP FIFTEEN PERCENT 
(15%) OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS FOR ADMISSION IN PRIVATE 
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
College admission has become more of a privilege than a right nowadays. Under 
privileged students struggle in taking the college admission examinations in their 
aspired university not because of lack of capability to pass the same but due to limited 
financial capacity to take the admission test.
In order to ensure that every students are given equal opportunity to pursue 
their aspired degree in their chosen university, or to be given another chance in college 
should they fail to secure admission in a State University, a legislative initiative 
granting free college entrance examination to the underprivileged Public Senior High 
School graduating students and graduates belonging to the Top Fifteen Percent (15%) 
of their graduating class for admission in private higher education institution is hereby 
proposed.
This bill seeks to aid the students from underprivileged background to rise up 
and pursue their dream in applying for admission in private higher educations. It aims 
to increase the morale of the students and encourage those who are academically 
gifted but financially lacking that cost of entrance examinations should not limit their 
opportunities in life and should not be a hindrance in the pursuit of their college 
admission in a private higher education.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1672
of ti)f
23 JAN 12 P5:49
RECEIVtDBV;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING FREE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS TO THE 
UNDERPRIVILEGED PUBLIC SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING 
STUDENTS AND GRADUATES BELONGING TO THE TOP FIFTEEN PERCENT 
(15%) OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS FOR ADMISSION IN PRIVATE 
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Libreng College
2 
Entrance Exam Fee Act".
3 
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
expand and further democratize access to quality college education in private higher
5 
education institutions by instituting mechanism to promote the rights of the
6 
underprivileged public senior high school graduating students and graduates
7 
belonging to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class.
8 
This exemption from imposing of the entrance examination fees is one
9 
mechanism that shall provide adequate assistance and equal opportunity to these
10 
students to pursue their dream of obtaining a college education.
11 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -
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a. College Entrance Examinations - refer to the examinations required
13 
and administered by higher education institutions on college degree
14 
program;


1 
b. Underprivileged Public Senior High School Graduating Students and
2 
Graduates - refer to graduating senior high school students or
3 
graduates of public schools entering college, whose parents have
4 
combined income that falls below the poverty threshold, as
5 
determined by the National Economic Development Authority
6 
(NEDA) and the National Household Targeting System of the
7 
Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD);
8 
c. Private Higher Educationai Institution (PHEI) - refers to a higher
9 
educational institution not owned or controlled by the government
10 
or its instrumentalities and may be sectarian or non-sectarian.
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Sec. 4. Waiver of Fees. - The college entrance examination fees in PHEIs for
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the underprivileged public senior high school graduating students and graduates
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belonging to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class shall be waived.
14 
It shall be covered under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education - Unified
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Student Financial Assistance Secretariat (CHED-UniFAST).
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Sec. 5. Qualification Requirements for Free College Entrance Examination
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Benefciaries in Private HEIs. - A student shall become eligible as beneficiary under
18 
this Act when the following requirements are met:
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a. A natural born Filipino Citizen;
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b. Must be a graduating senior high school student or graduate who
21 
belongs to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class
22 
and seeks to be admitted to a private higher education institution
23 
within the country; and
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c. Must belong to a family whose combined income falls below the
25 
poverty threshold, as determined by the NEDA and DSWD.
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The eligible beneficiaries may avail of these waived fees for no more than
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three (3) examinations.
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Sec. 6. Sanctions. - The CHED shall reprimand any official or employee of a
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PHEI or other individuals who violate Section 4 of this Act, and impose disciplinary
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sanctions for a repetition of the same offense, pursuant to its power under Section
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8(e) of the Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of
32 
1994".


1 
Sec. 7, Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days
2 
from the effectivity of this Act, the CHED-UniFAST in coordination with the
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Department of Education (DepEd) and the Coordinating Council of Private
4 
Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), shall promulgate the
5 
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Provided,
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That the non-promulgation Of the rules and regulations provided under this section
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shall not prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon effectivity.
8 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
9 
unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
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continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of
12 
instructions, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with
13 
this Act shall be deemed notified, amended, or repealed accordingly.
14 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
15 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,