Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1471

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
‘THE MAGNA CARTA OF STUDENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A strong and educated youth is the foundation of a strong and just nation. Yet in
many schools across the Philippines, students continue to face barriers that limit not only
access to quality education but also their right to speak, organize, and participate

meaningfully in shaping their learning environment.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, over 2.5 million youth aged 6 to 24
are out of school. Many drop out due to poverty, bullying, unsafe conditions, or lack of voice
in their institutions. While education is a declared priority of the State under the Constitution,
students often remain unprotected by law when their basic rights are ignored.

This bill seeks to establish the Magna Carta of Students, a comprehensive charter that
enshrines the rights of learners in both public and private schools. It affirms their right to
quality education, safe spaces, academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to
organize. It aims to level the playing field so that every student, regardless of background,

has a real chance to uplift the lives of their family and the generations that follow.


For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIEGO “PIN

D. REMULLA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.1471

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
THE MAGNA CARTA OF STUDENTS,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PRINCIPLES

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of
Students”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to
promote and protect the rights of students to enable them to participate actively and
effectively in the democratic processes of effective, progressive, and developmental changes
in society.

SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. — This Act declares the following as basic guiding
principles:

(a) The formal educational system, being the principal institutional mechanism for
imparting knowledge and developing skills, is given priority attention and support by
the government.

(b) Education is a right and not a mere privilege. It is therefore the responsibility of the
State to provide quality education accessible at all curriculum levels. Student

organizations enhance democratic processes on the campus.


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(c) Membership and activities that promote and protect students’ rights and welfare
and/or contribute to national development shall be guaranteed by the State and school
authorities.

(a) Student organizations shall not be subject to rules and regulations that unduly hamper
their activities and are prejudicial to their objectives and interests, provided such
objectives, activities, and interests are consistent with the school’s mission.

(ce) Student councils and governments, being the most representative and legitimate voice
of the student body, shal] be consulted in the formulation, review, and implementation
of all school policies that directly affect student rights, welfare, and campus life. Their
participation shall be institutionalized to uphold democratic engagement within
academic institutions.

(f) The student publication shall serve as a vital platform for free, responsible, and
fearless expression. It shall be a space for the dissemination of truth, exchange of
diverse ideas, and constructive interaction among students, faculty, and
administration, fostering critical thinking and active citizenship.

(g) With their democratic rights protected and upheld, students shall be recognized as a
dynamic force in the pursuit of equity, justice, and lasting social transformation in the
nation.

(h) Students shall have the right to initiate and participate in peaceful assemblies, issue
position papers, and engage in dialogues with school authorities and public officials
‘on matters of public interest, provided these are done in accordance with existing laws
and institutional policies respecting academic freedom and order.

(i) The institution shall promote an environment that encourages civic consciousness and
leadership development by supporting student-led initiatives, volunteerism, and
service-oriented programs both within and beyond the campus.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) Student — any person enrolled in school at post-secondary, tertiary, graduate, and
postgraduate levels, including vocational and technical education.

(b) School — any private, public, or government-run and funded academic educational
institution offering any or all courses in the above-mentioned levels.

(c) School campus — the totality of all contiguous or proximate buildings, grounds, and

other faci
(@) Governing Board ~ the highest policy-making body of the school, such as the Board

s designed by the school as areas or facilities for the use of its students.

of Directors, Trustees, or Regents.


(e) Student Council / Government ~ the body representing the whole student population
in one school or school campus, whose officers are annually elected at large by the
whole student population pursuant to its constitution and by-laws, if any.

(f) Council of Leaders — the body composed of the heads of various student
organizations, chaired by the President/Chairman of the Student Council.

(g) Tuition Fee — The fee represents the direct costs of instruction, training, and other
related activities, and the use of school facilities. The term “other school fees” refers
to fees which cover other necessary costs supportive of instruction, including but not
limited to medical and dental, athletic, library, laboratory, and Citizen Army Training
(CAT) or Citizen Military Training (CMT) fees.

CHAPTER I
RIGHT TO ADMISSION AND QUALITY EDUCATION
SEC. 5. Admission. —No student shall be denied admission to any school on account

of his/her physical handicap, socio-economic status, political or religious beliefs, or shall
pregnant students and certified reformed drug abusers be discriminated against.

A student shall have the right to freely choose his/her field of study subject to existing
curricula and the institution’s admissions policies and to continue his/her course up to
graduation except in case of academic deficiency, inability to meet program requirement, or
violation of disciplinary regulations which do not infringe upon the exercise of students’
rights.

SEC. 6. Rights to Competent Instruction and Relevant Quality Education. — Every
student shall have the right to competent instruction and quality education relevant to his/her

personal and cultural development and that of the nation, and commensurate with the school

fees paid, and for state institutions, public subsidies granted.

Students shall have the right to make a written evaluation of the performance of their
teachers toward the end of the school term.

SEC. 7. Right to Adequate Student Services and Academic Facilities. —\t shall be
the responsibility of the school administration to provide the students with adequate student
services and academic facilities commensurate with the school fees paid, and for SCUs,

subsidies granted.

CHAPTER IIE
RIGHT TO ORGANIZE


SEC. 8. Right to Organize among Themselves. — Unity and collective effort being
fundamental to the realization of a common goal and the promotion and protection of
common interest, the State recognizes the right of students to organize among themselves.

The rights of students to form, assist, or join any campus organization, alliance, or
federation, not contrary to the school mission, for their physical, intellectual, moral, cultural,
spiritual, and political interests shall not be abridged.

SEC. 9. Student Council / Government. — The State shall ensure the democratic and
autonomous existence of student councils/governments. Pursuant thereto, there shall be one
student council/government for each school campus, which shall be given recognition by the
school, colleges, and universities concerned. It shall have its own set of officers elected in
annual popular elections. Every student council/government shall have the right to determine
its policies and programs on student activities, subject to this duly ratified charter or
constitution, school rules and regulations, and state policy.

SEC. 10. Recognition of and Granting of Privileges to Student Organizations. —No
unreasonable requirements shall be imposed on student organizations seeking recognition.

The guidelines concerning recognition shall be formulated by the Student Affairs
Office in consultation with the student council.

The process for seeking recognition shall begin upon the submission to the Student
Affairs Office by the organization concerned of its (1) concept paper and constitution; and (2)
a formal letter addressed to the Student Affairs stating the organization’s intent to be
recognized. Recognition will be granted by the Student Affairs Office upon compliance with
the guidelines.

There shall be no discrimination in the assignment of school facilities and the granting of
other privileges to student organizations.

Excessive charges for the use of school facilities shall be prohibited. Whenever
possible the schoo! administration shall allow student organizations to use school facilities
free of charge.

SEC. 11. Coordination of Student Organizations’ Activities. - All on- and off-
campus activities of student organizations shall be coordinated by the student
council/government in consultation with the Student Affairs Office.

The Committee on Elections (COMELEC) constituted to conduct the election of the
officers of the student council/government shall be composed solely of bona fide students of
the school. The conduct of the student council election shall be held in coordination with the
Student Affairs Office.


SEC. 12. Prohibition against the Use of Force and Exaction and Excessive. — All
campus organizations shall be prohibited from using force in initiation and from exacting
excessive fees from their members, as well as in their other students’ activities.

CHAPTER IV
RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN POLICY MAKING

SEC. 13. Student Representation in Policy-Making Processes. - Students shall have

the right to be represented in policy-making bodies and committees of the school or academic
institution, excluding the governing board, that directly affect their rights, welfare, and

involved in curriculum

development. These include, but are not limited to, bodis
development and review, academic standards, student discipline, and co-curricular program
planning.

Student representatives shall be officially designated by the student council or
government through a transparent and democratic selection process. Their participation shall
be regular, meaningful, and given due consideration in all deliberations, consistent with the
principles of shared governance and academic freedom.

CHAPTER V
RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION AND INFORMATION AND RIGHT TO
ACADEMIC FREEDOM

SEC. 15. Right to be Informed. — The right of the student to be given information
upon request on matters directly affecting their welfare shall be recognized.

SEC. 16. Freedom of Expression. — Subject to existing laws, school rules, and
regulations, students shall have the right to freely express their views and opinions.

SEC. 17. Academic Freedom. ~ Students’ academic freedom shall be subject to

school rules and regulations, and the exercise by the school and members of the faculty of
their respective academic freedom, consists of, but is not limited to, the following rights:

(a) To conduct research in connection with academic work, and to freely discuss and
publish their findings and recommendations;

(b) To conduct an inquiry in curricular and extracurricular activities within the campus
and in appropriate circumstances;

(©) To choose a field of study for research and to pursue the quest for truth; to express
their opinion on any subject of public or general concern which directly or indirectly
affects the students of the educational system:

(4) To invite off-campus speakers or resource persons to student-sponsored assemblies,
forums, symposia, and other activities of a similar nature;

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(c) To express contrary interpretations or dissenting opinions inside and outside the
classroom;

(f) To participate in the drafting of a new curriculum and in the review or revision of the
old; and,

(g) To participate in the drafting and/or revising of the student handbook, which shall
include the school rules and regulations, a copy of which shall be furnished to the
students upon admission to the school

CHAPTER VI
RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS IN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
SEC. 18. Right to Due Process. — A student subject to disciplinary proceedings shall
have the right to defend himself/herself, to be heard, and to present evidence on his/her behalf
before an impartial body. There shall be a Student Disciplinary Board to be composed of two
(2) representatives from the school administration, one (1) faculty member, and two (2)
students to conduct investigations into and decide on cases of student violations of

disciplinary standards.

The blacklisting, expulsion, suspension and other such disciplinary sanctions that may
be taken against a student shall not be valid unless the following rights have been observed:

(a) the right to be informed in writing of the nature and cause of the accusations against

his/her;

(b) the right to confront witnesses against him/her and to have full access to the evidence

on the case;

(c) the right to defend himself/herself and to be defended by a representative or counsel

of his/her choice, adequate time being given for the preparation of a defense:

(d) the right to a hearing before the Student Disciplinary Board;

(e) the right against self-incrimination; and,

(f) the right to appeal adverse decisions of the Student Disciplinary Board to the

governing board and ultimately to the appropriate education agencies.

‘The decision in any disciplinary proceeding must be rendered on the basis of relevant and
substantial evidence presented at the hearing, or at least contained in the record and disclosed
to the student affected.

The deciding body must act on its own independent consideration of the facts of the case.
The body should, in all controversial questions, render its decision in such a manner that the

issues involved and the reasons for any decision made are clear to the student.


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Disciplinary sanctions shall be primarily corrective in nature. Acts deemed to be in
violation of school rules and regulations, along with their corresponding disciplinary
sanctions, may be published on a periodic basis, provided that such publication does not
violate the rights guaranteed under this Charter and the Philippine Constitution.

CHAPTER VII
OTHER RIGHTS
SEC. 19. Right Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures. — Every student shall
be free from any form of unreasonable search and seizure. Except for the following instances,
no search or seizure of a student shall be deemed valid:

(a) Searches made at the point of ingress and egress by authorized personnel of the

school;

(b) Searches and seizures of illegal articles or articles falling in the plain view of duly

authorized personnel;

(c) Searches and seizures of articles that are illegal, discovered inadvertently by duly

authorized personnel;

(d) Searches are made when the student is about to commit, is committing, or has just

committed a crime or a serious infraction of the school’s rules and regulations;

(©) Searches are made with a valid search warrant.

Articles seized in violation of the rights mentioned above shall not be used as evidence
against the student in any disciplinary action that may be brought against him/her.

SEC. 20. Right to Mental Health Support. — Every student shall have the right to ac

adequate, responsive, and culturally sensitive mental health services within the school or

academic institution.

SEC. 21. Access to School Records and Issuance of Official Certificates. ~ Subject to
the provision of the following section, every student shall have access to her/him own school
record, the confidentiality of which the school shall maintain, He/she shall have the right to
be issued official certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials, and
other similar documents within thirty (30) days from the filing of the request and
accomplishment of all pertinent requirements.

SEC. 22. Unpaid Tuition Fees and Examination. — No student shall be prohibited from
taking a periodic or final examination because of unpaid tuition and other fees under the
established terms of payment prescribed by the school concerned and approved by the

appropriate education agency.


Students with delinquent fees permitted to take an examination shall nevertheless be
subject to the right of the school concerned to withhold the release or issuance of such
students’ school records or of the documents mentioned in the preceding section or to deny
such students’ admission at the next succeeding term or year until the prior delinquencies are
fully paid.

SEC. 23. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 25. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,