FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
} 
} 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
BY 
The 1987 Constitution states that "the State shall protect and promote the 
rights of its citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate 
steps to make such educational at all levels". 
But due to the ever unstable economic condition the fluctuating inflation rate 
and the worsening unemployment percentage that befall our citizens, access to 
quality tertiary education is slowly becoming a rich man's option rather than a 
regular and normal phase to undertake in every people's academic endeavor. 
It is therefore, imperative upon the State t6 provide all available government 
resources in affording its people, especially those who are economically 
distressed, a system of free public college education that will give them equal 
opportunity in earning and acquiring the necessary college degree, primordially 
required in joining a more competitive and profitable working environment. 
By instituting a free public college education system in our country, we 
would be helping more of our less privileged constituents in realizing their dream 
of obtaining a college diploma. Also, through this legislative measure, we are able 
to provide these youth with the basic leverage in securing descent employment for 
them in the near future. 
. 
In view of this, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 447 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO INSTITUTE A FREE PUBLIC COLLEGE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "Philippine Free 
Public Education System Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the state 
to provide all available government resources to "the enactment of education at all 
levels. In this regard, the state shall actively pursue a free public college 
education system in the country. 
SEC. 3. Institution of a Free Publip College Education System. There is 
hereby instituted a free public education system in the country open to all qualified 
and deserving Filipino students. 
SEC. 4. Courses. The system shail initially offer general courses in Liberal 
Arts, Education, Economics, 
Psycholo~y, Sociology, and Political Science, 
Business Management and Administration, Accounting, Humanities, Philosophy 
and Literature. The Commission of Higher Education (CHED) shall propose 
additional courses as it may deem appropriate at the proper time . 
. 
SEC. 5. Lead Agency. The CHED shall be the leas agency tasked with the 
prinCipal implementation of the Free Public College Education System. 
SEC. 6. Participating Education Institutions. Initially, the educational 
institutions that will offer their facilities and services for the System are as follows: 
(1) The University of the Philippines System; 
(2) Philippine Normal University; 
(3) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; 
(4) National Teacher's College; 
(5) Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and 
(6) Other government owned and controlled universities and colleges situated in 
the various provinces of the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The CHED in coordination 
with the Department of Budget and Management shall formulate and promUlgate 
the 
Implementing 
Rules 
and 
Regulations 
necessary 
for 
the 
effective 
implementation of the Act. 


SEC. 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following 
its enactment into law and thereafter. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act were to be declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in force and in effect. 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force 
and in effect. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen days from the date of 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,