Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 642

Introduced by:
Hon. Christopher S. Co and Rodel M. Batocabe

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a high school for public administration and good
governance, to be known as the Jesse M. Robredo Philippine High School for
Public Administration and Governance (PHSPAG).

Throughout the political history of the Philippines, there is a continuing public
outcry for good and honest public servants in government, and not only in the
elective positions, but also in appointive and career positions. However, our
country’s school system has not offered full programs and services that cater to
such needs. Though many Filipino children demonstrate an ability and interest in
serving the people through government service, their capabilities remained
untapped until college, when they are given the option to choose a course for
their chosen field.

Through this bill, the State will be able to create a pool of young leaders and train
them at an early age on excellent public service. It shall also expose them to the
sad realities of graft and corruption so they may defeat it with transparency and
accountability. The School shall recreate the image and impression on
government service as a place where one can have a viable, successful and
fulfilling career.

Most importantly, the High School and its graduates will give life and continue
the legacy of one of greatest Filipino public servants in government service,
Secretary Jesse M. Robredo.

Entrance to the school shall be highly competitive; at any given time, only a small
population of the top passers of the entrance exam will be accepted to ensure
high quality of instruction. Students accepted into the PHSPAG shall be given full
scholarship and living assistance in campus.

bill was filed in the 15% Congress but for lack of tirpets progress was halted
e committee level. In light of all these circumsta é sWift passage of
ill is earnestly sought.

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CHRISTOPHER S. CO |. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 642
Introduced by:
Hon. Christopher S. Co and Rodel M. Batocabe

AN ACT.
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Creation. There is hereby established a regular government agency
to be known as the Jesse M. Robredo Philippine High School for Public

Administration and Governance.

SEC. 2. Mandate. The High School is hereby mandated to implement a general
secondary level program, combined with a special curriculum oriented to public
administration and governance and geared to the early recognition and
development of talent and skills in public administration and leadership, thus

providing a continuing source of young political leaders.

SEC, 3. Advisory Council. The High School shall have anAdvisory Council,
composed of the following members:

(a) President of the University of the Philippines who shall be the Chairman, ex-
officio;

(b) Undersecretary of the Department of Education shall be the Vice-Chairman,
ex-officio;

(c) Dean of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the
University of the Philippines, ex-officio;

(d) Director of the Bureau of Secondary Education of the Department of

Education, ex-officio;


(e) Director of the Philippine High School for Public Administration and
Governance, ex-officio;

() A representative from a civil society organization engaged in the monitoring
of public administration and governance to be appointed by the Chairman, upon

recommendation of the Governing Board.

The Advisory Council shall meet at least once a month. A quorum of the Advisory
Council shall consist of the majority of all its members holding office at the time
the meeting is called and present thereat. Each member of the Advisory Council
shall receive an honorarium in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and

regulations,

SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. To accomplish the mandate of the High School, the
Advisory Council shall advise the Director on the following:

(a) Fixing of the site of the school;

(b) Receipt for, and appropriations for the ends specified by law, of such sums as
may be provided by law for the support of the High School;

(c) Approval of appointments made and contracts entered into by the Director in
connection with the employment of teachers, lecturers and other employees of
the High School, fixing of their compensations and other conditions of
employment, with concurrence by the Secretary of Budget and Management; and
their removal for cause after due notice and hearing;

(d) Providing fellowships for faculty members and approval of the grant of
scholarships, stipends and other allowances to deserving students;

(e) Determining the criteria for the selection and admission of students which
shall include, among others, national competitive examinations;

(f) Approval of the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates
for graduation;

(g) Receipt of in trust legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments,
contributions, or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real and
personal properties of all kinds and administration of the same for the benefit of
the High School or for aid to any of its students.

(h) Approval of the annual work program and budget for endorsement to the

Department of Budget and Management;


(i) Such other tasks as may be assigned to it by the Secretary of Education, which
are necessary for the efficient and effective accomplishment of the purposes of

this Act.

SEC. 5. Authority to Solicit Donations, Grants and the Like, Upon the
recommendation of the Advisory Council, the Director may, without need of
authority, approval or intervention by any government agency of any kind
whatsoever, solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public or private,
domestic or foreign sources such legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments,
contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or
personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the High School,
subject to ratification by the Secretary of Education; Provided, That the Director
shall, upon recommendation by the Advisory Council and in accordance with
pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations, prescribe the
measures necessary for the proper use, maintenance and safekeeping of said
donations, grants, endowments, contributions or transfers and the compliance of

the terms and conditions thereon, ifany.

SEC. 6. Director. The day-to-day operations of the High School shall be under the
supervision and control of the Director in accordance with Section 4 hereof. He
shall be appointed by the Secretary of Education, upon the recommendation of
the Advisory Council. His functions, powers and duties, in addition to those
specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of
the principal of any high school in the Philippine educational system.

SEC. 7. Civil Service Coverage. Personnel of the High School shall be classified
into:

(a) Career service personnel, namely, those of the finance, administrative and
personnel staff of the High School and its general education faculty.

(b) Non-career service personnel, namely, visiting professors and instructors.

Career and non-career service personnel shall be subject to civil service rules
and regulations on wage and position classifications. They shall be entitled to
retirement benefits enjoyed by all government personnel, in accordance with

existing laws, rules and regulations. Provisions for retirement shall be included


in the annual budget of the High School: Provided, That services of incumbents
whose appointments have not been processed through the Civil Service
Commission shall be considered as creditable services for purposes of claiming

retirement or separation benefits as long as the necessary requirements are met.

SEC. 8. Attachment. The High School is hereby attached to the Department of
Education, in consultation with the University of the Philippines, for policy and
program implementation with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to public
administration and governance, with the end in view of preparing its students

fora career in the government service.

SEC. 9. Public Administration and Governance High School Fund. All legacies, gifts,
donations, grants, endowments, contributions and other similar transfers of real
and personal properties of all kinds received by the High School shall constitute
the Public Administration and Governance High School Fund, which shall be
expended or used by, or with the authority from, the Director upon the
recommendation of the Advisory Council, to attain the purposes of this Act, in
accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Signatories to this Fund
shall be the Director and the officer of the High School responsible for its
finances, regular reports on the status of the fund shall be submitted to the

Advisory Council.

SEC. 10. Position Structure and Staffing Pattern. The position structure and
staffing pattern of the High School shall be approved and prescribed by the
Secretary of Education, upon the recommendation of the Director of the High
School and with the concurrence of the Secretary of Budget and Management,
within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Act and the
authorized positions created thereunder shall be filled with regular
appointments by the High School or by the President of the Philippines, as the

case may be.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Education shall
prescribe the rules and regulations for the efficient and effective implementation

of the provisions of this Act.


SEC. 12. Separability. Any portion or provision of this Act that may be declared
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect or nullifying other portions
or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still

subsist and be given effect in the entirety.

SEC. 13. Repeal. All laws, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith

are likewise hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon approval, subject to its

publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved.