FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
7 JUN 30 
p-7 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In line with the constitutional mandate to promote quality education at all 
leveis of society, the state not only has the obligation but it has the avowed duty 
to translate such constitutional policy into reality. 
Deemed as one of the premier institutions of learning in the Philippine 
educational firmament, the University of the Philippines, particularly its charter 
and its vision and mission need to be re-examined in order for it to address the 
modern day challenges of the new millennium. 
As an alumnus of this respected institution, I now take on the duty and the 
privilege of proposing the UP Charter of 2007 which seeks to transform the same 
into a national university, a public and secular institution of higher learning and 
an abode for scholars dedicated to the search of truth and knowledge. 
Through this proposed measure, this humble representation hopes to 
make the University of the Philippines, the leader in education in the entire Asian 
region 
A 
Senator 
u 


FOURTEENTH COHGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 Jug 30 P7_ :b!j 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
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BY 
Senate Bill No. 158 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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AN ACT 
TO STRENGTHEN THE UNlVERSlN OF THE PHILIPPINES AS THE 
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY 
Be jf enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled; 
SECT/ON 7- Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The University of 
the Philippines Charter of 2007.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - The State shall promote, foster, nurture 
and protect the rights of all citizens to quality education. Towards this end, it is 
the policy of the State to strengthen the University of the Philippines as the 
National University. 
SEC, 3. Purpose of the Universify. - As the National University, a public 
and secular institution of higher learning and a community of scholars dedicated 
to the search for truth and knowledge, the University of the Philippines shall 
perform its unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and national 
education development through its combined functions, as follows: 
(I) 
Set standards and initiate innovations in teaching, research and faculty 
development in philosophy, the arts and humanities, the social sciences, the 
professions and engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and technology; 
and maintain centers of excellence in such disciplines and professions; 
(2) Serve as a graduate university providing advanced studies and 
specialization for scholars, scientists, writers, artists and professionals, especially 
those who serve on the faculties of state and private colleges and universities; 
(3) Serve as a research university in the various fields of expertise and 
specialization by conducting basic and applied research and development 
promoting research in the various colleges and universities; 
(4) Lead as a public service university by providing varioys forms of 
community, and public and volunteer service, and scholarly and technical 
assistance to the government, the private sector, and civil society while 
maintaining its standards of excellence; 


(5) Provide opportunities for training and learning in progressive 
leadership, responsible citizenship, and development of democratic values, 
institutions and practice; and 
(6) Serve as a regional and global university in connection with 
international and scientific unions with networks of universities and scholarly and 
professional associations in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. 
SEC. 4. The University System. -The University of the Philippines is a 
university system and shall be composed of constituent universities established 
solely by its Board of Regents - upon the recommendation of the President of the 
University. 
SEC. 5. Academic Freedom.- The University has the right and the 
responsibility to exercise academic freedom. 
SEC. 6, Academic Excellence. - The University has the responsibility to 
maintain and enhance its high academic standards in the performance of the 
functions of instruction, research, extension and public service. 
SEC. 7. Social Responsibility. - The University is committed to serve t e 
Filipino nation and humanity. While it carries out the obligation to pursue 
universal principles, it must relate its activities to the needs of the Filipino people 
and their aspirations for social progress and transformation. 
SEC. 8. Democratic Access. - No student shall be denied admission to 
the University by reason of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, or political 
opinion or affiliation. The University shall take affirmative steps to enhance the 
access of disadvantaged students to its programs and services. 
SEC. 9. The Board of Regents. - The government of the University is 
vested in a Board of Regents known as the "Board of Regents of the University 
of the Philippines System," composed of: 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as 
Chairperson; 
(b) The President of the University of the Philippines System Vice- 
(c) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and 
Chairperson; 
Culture; 
(d) The Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical 
Education; 
(e) The President of the U.P. Alumni Association, to serve as Alumni 
Regent during his or her incumbency in that position; 
(f) One Faculty Regent chosen by the full-time tenured faculty members of 
the University from their ranks, to serve for a term of two (2) years; 
sludents from their ranks; 
I 
(g) One Student Regent, to serve for a term of one (1) year, chosen by the 


(11) One Staff Regent representing the full-time permanent research, 
extension and professional staff (REPS) and administrative personnel and 
chosen by thein from their ranks, to serve for a term of two (2) years: and 
(i) Five (5) other Regents who have distinguished themselves in their 
professions or field of specialization chosen from a list of five (5) persons for 
every vacancy as recommended by a search committee constituted by the 
President of the University based on standards and guidelines approved by the 
Board of Regents. At least three (3) of these Regents should be alumni. All these 
Regents shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and each serve 
for a term of two (2) years: Provided , That the Regents holding office as 
members of the Board of Regents at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall 
continue to serve until the expiration of their appointments as provided in 
Executive Order No. 204-A issued by the President of the Philippines on July 15, 
1987. 
In vacancy in the Board of Regents of any appointive position, such 
vacancy shall be Wed by appointment by the President of the Philippines, and 
such appointee shall hold office for the unexpired term. In case of vacancy in the 
position of sectoral regents, the successor, who shall serve for the unexpired 
term, shall be chosen in the same manner as provided for the predecessor: 
Provided, That in the case of a sectoral regent, membership in the Board ceases 
upon suspension or separation from the University. 
Members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than actual 
and necessary expenses incurred in attendance of meetings of the Board, or 
other official business authorized by the Board. 
SEC. TU. Powers of the Board of Regents. - The administration of the 
University and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board of 
Regents. The Board shall exercise the following specific powers and duties: 
(a) To define the thrusts of the Universityand adopt broad policy guidelines to 
(b) To preserve the integrity of the University of the Philippines System; 
(c) To approve the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs upon 
recommendation of the University Council of the Constituent University 
concerned through the President of the University; 
ensure their implementation; 
(d) To approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as 
recommended by their respective University Councils through the President of 
the University; 
(e) To confer honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of learning, 
statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or art, upon recommendation 
of a committee created by the President of the University: Provided, that such 
degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift or other 
valuable consideration; 
(9 To approve the rules on student discipline upon recommendation of the 
(9) To create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent universities, 
colleges, institutes, and other academic and administrative units of the 
University; 
University Councils through the President of the University 


(h) lo establish professional chair awards; 
(i) To provide fellowship, scholarships and grants, and to award the same to 
(j) To elect the President of the University for a term of six (6) years following 
a process of democratic consultation with the University community based on 
standards and guidelines set by the Board of Regents. In the event of a vacancy, 
the Board of Regents shall elect a president who shall serve as full term within 
six (6) months from the occurrence of the vacancy; 
faculty, staff and students giving special evidence of merit; 
(k) To appoint faculty members and other officials and employees, to draw up 
a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff, and io fix 
and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees; to 
determine their hours or service, and such other terms and conditions as it may 
deem proper; to grant them, at its discretion, leave of .absence under such 
regulations as it may promulgate, any other provisions of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause as provided by law after due 
investigation and proper healing; 
(I) 
To extend, with their consent, the tenure of faculty members of the 
University beyond the compulsory retirement age, any other provision of law to 
the contrary notwithstanding, on recommendation of the units upon endorsement 
of the President OF the University, whenever their services are especially needed; 
(m) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the Board 
may deem proper to impose. Such fees and charges, including government 
subsidies and other income generated by the University, shall constitute special 
trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository 
bank. Any and all interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same 
funds for the use of the University. 
Any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, all incomes 
generated by the University or by its subsidiaries shall, upon their collection, be 
retained by the University and disbursed at the discretion of the Board for the 
professional growth and development, health, welfare and other benefits of the 
faculty members and other personnel; for the acquisition, construction, 
maintenance and repair of urgently needed instructional and auxiliary facilities, 
equipment, buildings and other infrastructure; and for expenses necessary for the 
attainment of its purposes under its approved program of expenditures; 
(n) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided by law for the 
support of the University to the ends specified by law, and all other sums 
in the manner it may in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes 
and functions of the University; 
(0) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities and the purchase and acquisition of real 
and personal properties, including the necessary supplies, materials and 
equipment; 
(p) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
property of all kinds and to administer and dispose the same when 
necessary for the benefit of the University and subject to the instructions 
of the donor, if any; 


(9) The provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding, to authorize its 
faculty and staff to travel abroad in order to study, deliver papers attend 
conferences and disseminate research: Provided, that the fellowship, 
scholarship or grant is authorized by the Board of Regents; 
(r) To exercise the general powers set out in the Corporation Code; 
(s) To delegate any of its powers to the President of the University or any 
other officials or officers as it may deem necessary; 
(t) To prescribe rules for its own government and the discipline of the faculty 
and other personnel and to enact for the government of the University 
such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to law, as are 
consistent with the purposes of the University; and 
(u) To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out 
the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 14. Quorum of the Board of Regents. - A simple majority of all 
members of the Board of Regents holding office at the time the meeting is called 
shall constitute a quorum. 
SEC. 12. The President of She University. - The President of the 
University is the chief academic officer, head of the University Faculty and the 
chief executive officer of the University. The President of the University shall 
exercise the powers specifically provided for in this Act, those determined by the 
Board of Regents, those which usually pertain to the office of the president of a 
university, and those which are related or necessary to its functions. The Board 
of Regents shall determine the compensation of the President of the University. 
SEC. ?3. The Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents. 
- There shall be a Secretary of the University appointed by the Board of Regents, 
who shall also be the Secretary of the Board, and who shall keep such records of 
the University as may be designated by the Board. 
SEC. 14. The University Council. - There shall be in each Constituent 
University a University Council consisting of the Chancellor as Chairperson, and 
of all the faculty members in the University holding the rank of assistant professor 
and higher. 
SEC. 15. Powers of the Consfifuenf Council. - The University Council 
shall be the highest academic body of each Constituent University and shall 
exercise the following powers: 
(a) Fix the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation, 
(b) Prescribe the academic programs including their institution, revision, 
and the grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide requirements; 
abolition and merger, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents: 
(c) Recommend to the Board of Regents the graduation of students and 
(d) Exercise disciplinary power over the students, through the Chancellors 
the grant of honors; 


or their appropriate committees, subject to review by the President of the 
University - according to the limits prescribed by system-wide rules on student 
discipline; 
(e) Undertake the periodic review of academic courses, programs, 
standards, thrusts and policies; and 
(9 Adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this 
Act; 
SEC. 16. The Chancellor of the Constituent university. 
- The 
administration of each Constituent University is vested in the Chancellor insofar 
as authorized by the Board of Regents and the President of the University. The 
Chancellor of the Constituent University shall be elected by the Board of Regents 
upon nomination of the President of the University, following a process of 
democratic consultation with the constituents of the Constituent University based 
on standards and guidelines set by the Board of Regents. The Chancellor shall 
report to the President of the University, and shall perform the duties and 
Functions of the office of the chancellor, subject to the policies and rules 
prescribed by the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents shall determine the 
term and compensation of the Chancellor. 
SEC. ?is The Faculty. - The teaching staff of each college shall constitute 
its faculty , The College Faculty shall be presided by a Dean. The Dean shall be 
elected by the Board of Regents on nomination by the President of the University 
and upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the Constituent University, 
following a process of democratic consultation with the constituents of the college 
based on standards and guidelines set by the Board of Regents. 
SEC. 18. Appointment Requisites and Practice of Profession. - 
Faculty members, as well as research, extension and professional staff (REPS) 
of the University shall be exempt as such from any civil service examination or 
regulation as a requisite to appointnient. The provisions of existing law to the 
contrary notwithstanding, licensing requirements for professional regulatory 
boards shall not affect appointments to faculty positions. In the appointment of 
faculty members, no religious test shall be applied, nor shall the religious or 
political opinions or affiliations of the faculty members of the University be made 
a matter of examination or inquiry. 
SEC. 49. Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the University. - 
(a) The State shall provide subsidy to the University of the Philippines 
System as the national university in the form of lump sum amount, through 
general appropriations and other financial benefits, and in kind, through 
land grants and donations and use of real properties. To carry out the 
intent of these grants, income derived from the development of all land 
grants and real properties shall be used to further the ends of the 
University, as may be decided by the Board of Regents. 
(b) Such parcels of land ceded by law, decree or presidential issuance to 
the University of the Philippines, are hereby declared to be reskrved for 
the purposes intended. The absolute ownership of the University over 
these landholdings including those covered by original and transfer 
certificates of title in the name of the University of the Philippines and their 
future derivatives are hereby confirmed. Where the issuance of proper 
certificates of title is yet pending for these landholdings, the appropriate 
government office shall expedite the issuance thereof within six (6) 


months from the date of effectivity of this Act provided that all registration 
requirements necessary for the issu ance of the said titles have been 
submitted and complied with. 
(c) The Board of Regents may plan, design, approve andlor cause the 
irnplementation of contracts, mechanisms, and financial instruments, such 
as joint ventures, long-term leases, fully-owned subsidiaries, securitization 
and outright sale, to give the University the flexibility to generate revenues 
and other resources from land grants and other properties: Provided, That 
such mechanisms and arrangements shall sustain and protect the 
environment in accordance with law, and be exclusive of the academic 
core zone of the campuses of the University of the Philippines. 
SEC. 20. Audifing ofAccounfs. -All accounts and disbursements of the 
University shall be audited by the Commission on Audit. 
SEC. 27. Institutional Autonomy as the National University. - To 
provide greater flexibility to the University, it shall be treated in a manner 
consistent with its institutional requirements as the national university by the 
service-wide agencies in the exercise of their respective jurisdiction. 
SEC. 22. Rules of Construction. - No statutory or other issuances shall 
diminish the powers, rights, privileges and benefits accorded to the University 
under this Act or enjoyed at present by the University under other issuances not 
otherwise modified or repealed under this Act, unless subsequent legislation 
expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or modification. Any case of 
doubt in the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Charter shall be 
resolved in favor of the academic freedom and fiscal autonomy of the University 
of the Philippines. 
SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amount needed to carry out the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year's lump 
sum appropriation and other internal funds of the University. Thereafter, such 
lump sum representing the national government's assistance for the continued 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SEC. 24. 
Separability Clause. - 
Should any provision herein be 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other 
provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. - Act No. 1870, as amended, and all laws, 
decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 26. 
Effectjvify Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general 
circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,