* 
I 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
\ 
-. 
SENATE 
e 
Senate BilrNo. 
. . :  
.
I
 
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The Constitution provides that "the state shall give priority to 
education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total 
human liberation and development". (Article II Section 17, 1987 
Constitution) 
As such, this bill seeks to convert Sultan Kudarat Polytechc State 
College into a university. 
In'the ten (10) years of its existence, SKPSC has operated various 
programs in six (6) campuses located in five (5) municipalities of the 
province. Its present population of 6,000 college students is a radical change 
from the original total of 4,000 secondary students,pnrolled in the five ( 5 )  
previously DECS - supervised high schools in' the municipalities of 
Tacurong, Isulan, Lutayan, Kalamansig, and Palimbang. Together with the 
ACCESS campus in Tacurong, these previous high schools have become 
SKPSC's campuses which make up the Institution's tertiary programs unique 
and particular to each setting: Arts and Sciences in Tacurong; Arts and 
Education in ACCESS and Palimbang; Engineering and Industrial 
Technology in Kalamansig. Moreover, its Institute for Graduate Studies 
based in ACCESS, where most of its 500 students study, also has extension 
classes in Maitum, Saranggani and in Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. 
SKPSC's conversion into a university is imperative in the light of many 
considerations. Its immediate vicinities are served by similar institutions: 
MSU in General Santos City, some 100 kilometers south of Tacurong; USM 
in Kabacan, Cotabato; NDU; a private institution in Cotabato City, 100 
luloineters north of Tacurong; and CMU in Bukidnon, more than 100 
kilometers southeast of Tacurong; all established to answer the particular 
needs of their individual sites. No such university answers the unique needs 
of Sultan Kudarat and its immediate vicinities, particularly along the areas of 
science and technology. SKPSC has campuses and tertiary programs in five 
(5) municipalities of the province, thereby making quality education truly 
accessible to the grassroots level. With Tacurong already a City. SKPSC's 
university hood ascertains a reliable and dynamic partner in endeavors of 
development. With a variety of researches and projects in its Research 


i 
Division, SKPSC scientific information already available for transfer and 
commercialization Dursuant to communitv develoDment. With various 
government and non-government agencies among SWSC's linkages, it 
Dresentlv serves as a conduct for all forms of scientific knowledge locallv 
and nationally, thereby enhancing its role as a catalyst of development. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this proposed bill is earnestly sought. 
dM.LACSON 


3 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON 
\ 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE SULTAN KUDARAT POLYTECHNIC STATE 
COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF TACURONG, PROVINCE OF 
SULTAN KUDARAT, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY, TO BE 
KNOWN AS CENTRAL COTABATO STATE UNIVERSITY, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section I. Conversion. - The Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College 
in the City of Tacurong, Province of Sultan Kudarat is hereby converted into 
a State University, to be known as the Central Cotabato State University, 
hereinafter referred to as the University. The main campus of the University 
shall be the existing campus of the Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College 
in the City of Tacurong with extensions in the Municipalities of Isulan, 
Lutayan, Kalamansig, and Palimbang. 
Sec. 2. General Mandate. - The University shall primarily provide 
advanced instruction and professional training in education, arts and 
sciences., engmeering and other related fields. It. shall also undertake 
research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its 
areas of specialization. 
Sec 3. Curricular Offerings. - The University shall offer 
undergraduate courses in the fields of education, computer, engineering, 
nursing, arts and sciences, agriculture and other degree courses w i t h  its 
areas of specialization and according to its capabilities, as the Board of 
Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives, in order to meet the 
needs of the Province of Sultan Kudarat, and the Region. 
The existing hgh school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and 
supervision of the Department of Education: Provided That the high school 
shall be allowed to remain and operate within the campus of the University 
until the students shall have completed their high school education. 
Provided, further, that the University may operate a reasonably-sized 
laboratory school, if it has a college of education. Likewise, the existing 
Graduate School will become an integral part of the teacher education 
department. 


Sec. 4. Administration. - The University shall have the general powers 
of a corporation set forth in the Corporation Law. The administration of the 
University and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested 
exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University 
insofar as authorized by the Board. 
Sec. 5. The Governing Board - The Governing Board of the 
University shall be the Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the 
Board, which shall be composed of the following: 
(a) The Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
(b) The President of the University, Vice Chairman; 
(c) The Chairman of the Committee on Education, Culture and Arts of 
the Senate, member; 
(d) The Chairman of the Committee on mgher and Technical 
Education of the House of Representatives, member; 
(e) The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), member; 
(f) The Regional Director of the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST), member 
(8) The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, member; 
(h) The President of the federation of faculty associations of the 
University, member; 
(i) The President of the federation of student councils of the 
University, member; 
(i) The President of the federation of alumni associations of the 
University, member; 
(k) Two (2) prominent citizens who have distinguished themselves in 
their profession or fields of specialization of the University, members. 
Chairman; 
The two prominent citizens shall be chosen from among a list of five 
(5) persons qualified in the Province of Sultan Kudarat, as recommended by 
the search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation 
with the Chairman of CHED, based on the normal standards and 
qualifications for the position. 
The term of office of the President of the federation of faculty 
associations, the President of the federation of student councils, and the 
President of the federation of alumni associations shall be contemporaneous 
with their respective terms of office. 
The two (2) prominent citizens slid1 serve for a term of two (2) years. 
In case of vacancy in the office of the President, the officer-in-charge 
of the University designated by the Board shall serve for the unexpired term 
only. 
The President of the University, whose term may be terminated, 
accordmg to this Act, shall be entitled to full retirement benefits under 
existing laws. 


Sec. 6. Promulgation and Implementation of Policies - The Board 
shall promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared 
state policies on education and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine 
Constitution on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the 
policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722. 
Sec. 7; Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents - The Board shall 
have the following specific powers and duties, in addition to its general 
powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to a 
Board of Directors of a corporation under existing laws: 
(a) To enact rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the University; 
(b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the 
support of the University in the manner it may determine in 
accordance with its discretion, in order to carry out the purposes and 
functions of the University; 
(c) To import duty-fiee economic, technical and cultural books and/or 
publications, upon certification by the CHED that such imported 
books and/or publications are for economic, technical, vocational, 
scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes, in accordance 
with the provisions of the tariff and Customs Code, as amended; 
(d) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and 
personal properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose of the 
same when necessary for the benefit of the University, and subject to 
the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any. 
Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same 
shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in 
the computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with 
the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as 
amended: 
Provided, that such donation shall not be disposed, transferred or sold; 
and 
(e) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as, 
but not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory 
fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultations 
with the involved sectors. 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, and all interests that shall 
accrue there from shall form part of the same funds for the use of the 
University. Any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to 
the contrary notwithstanding, any income generated by the University 
from tuition fees and other charges, as well as from the operation of 
auxiliary services and land grants, shall be retained by the University, 


and may be disbursed by the Governing Board for instruction, 
research, extension or other programs/projects of the University: 
Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific 
purposes for which they are collected. If, for reasons beyond its 
control, the University shall not be able to pursue any projects for 
which the funds have been appropriated and allocated under its 
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use 
of said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may 
be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals 
of the University; 
(9 To adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school 
fees for greater access to poor but deserving students; 
(8) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, 
equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of 
real property, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
(h) To appoint upon recommendation of the President of the 
University, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, heads of campuses, 
faculty members, and other officials and employees of the University; 
(i) To fix and adjust salaries of faculty members and administrative 
officials and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised 
Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent 
budget and compensation laws governing hours of service and such 
other duties and conditions as it may deem proper, to grant them, at its 
discretion, leaves of absence under such regulations as it may 
promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary 
notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the 
requirements of due process of law; 
('j) To approve the curricula, instructional programs and rules of 
discipline drawn by the administrative and academic councils herein 
provided; 
(k) To set policies on admission and graduation of students; 
(1) To award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their 
outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, 
science and technology, agriculture or in any field of specialization 
within the academic competence of the University; and to authorize 
the awarding of certificates of completion of non-degree and non- 
traditional courses; 
(m) To establish and absorb tertiary institutions within the Province of 
Basilan as branches and centers in coordination with the Commission 
on Higher Education (CHED), and in consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management (DHM), and to offer therein 


programs or courses, to promote and carry out equal access to 
educational opportunities mandated by the Constitution; 
(n)To establish research and extension centers of the University where 
such will promote the development of the latter; 
(0) To establish chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students 
(p)To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for herein above 
to the President and/or other officials of the University as it may deem 
appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the 
University; 
(q)To authorize an external management audit of the University, to be 
financed by the CHED, subject to COA rules and regulations; and to 
institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the 
basis of the audit results and recommendations; 
(r) To collaborate with other Governing Boards of the state colleges 
and universities within the Province of Basilan or the Region, under 
the supervision of the CHED and in consultation with the DBM, and 
work towards the restructuring of the University to become more 
efficient, relevant, productive and competitive; 
(s) To enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the 
profitable development and management of the economic assets of the 
University, the proceeds fiom which shall be used for the 
development and strengthening of the University; 
(t) To develop consortia and other economic forms of llnkages with 
local government units, institutions and agencies, public and private, 
local and foreign, in the fwtherance of the purpose and objectives of 
the University; 
(u)To develop academic arrangements for institution-capability 
building with appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private, 
local and foreign, and to appoint experts/specialists as consultants, or 
visiting or exchange professors, scholars, or researchers, as the case 
may be; 
(v)To set up the adoption of modem and innovative modes of 
transmitting knowledge such as the use of information technology, the 
dual system, open learning, community laboratory, etc. for the 
promotion of greater access to education; 
(w) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative 
decision-making and transparency within the University; 


(x) To privatize where most advantageous to the University, 
management of non-academic services such as health, food, building 
or grounds or property maintenance and such other similar activities; 
and 
(y) To extend the term of the President of the University beyond the 
age of retirement but not later than the age of seventy (70), whose 
performance has been unanimously rated by the Governing Board as 
outstanding, after unanimous recommendation by the search 
committee. 
See. 8. Meetings of the Board - The Board shall regularly convene at 
least once every quarter. However, the chairman of the Board may, upon 
three (3) days' prior written notice call a special meeting whenever 
necessary. 
A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members 
holding office at the time of meeting: Provided, however, that the Chairman 
of the Board or the President of the University is among those present in the 
meeting. 
In the absence of the chairman of the CHED a Commissioner of the 
CHED, duly.designated by him shall represent him in the meeting with all 
the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, however, That 
in the said meeting, the President of the University as Vice-chairman shall 
be the presiding officer. 
In the absence of the Chairmen of the Congressional Committees on 
Education, they may designate their respective representatives who shall 
attend the said meetings with all the rights and responsibilities of a regular 
member. 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be 
entitled to reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either 
in their attendance to meetings of the Board or in connection with other 
official business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing 
laws and regulations. 
See. 9. The University President - The University shall be headed by 
the President- who shall render full time service. The Board, upon 
recommendation of a duly constituted search committee, shall appoint him. 
He shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment 
for another term: Provided, That in order to effect a smooth transition to a 
state university, the President of the Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State 
College, if qualified, shall be the first President of the University. 
In case of vacancy in the office of the President by reason of death, 
compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the 
President to perform the functions of his office, the Board shall have the 


authority to designate an officer-in-charge of the University pending the 
appointment of a new President. 
In case of vacancy in the office of the President as mentioned in the 
immediately preceding paragraph, his successor shall hold office for the 
unexpired term. 
The powers and duties of the President of the University, in addition 
to those specifically provided in this Act shall be those usually pertaining to 
the office of the President of similar colleges/universities, and those 
delegated by the Board. The salary of the President of the University shall be 
in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification 
System and shall be comparable to that being received by the Presidents of 
similar educational institutions of like standing. 
Sec. 10. The Adrmnistrative Council - There shall be an 
Administrative Council consisting of the President of the University as 
Chairman, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors and other officials of equal 
rank as members, whose duty is to implement the policies governing the 
administration, management and development of the University, as approved 
by the Board. 
Sec. 11. The Academic Council - There shall be Academic Council 
with the President of the University as Chairman and all members of the 
academic staff with the rank of not lower than Assistant Professor as 
members. 
The Academic Council shall have the power to determine, review and 
recommend the curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the University, 
subject for the appropriate action by the Board of Regents. It shall fix the 
requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their graduation 
and conferment of degrees, subject to review and/or approval by the Board 
of Regents through the President of the University. It shall have the 
disciplinary power over students of the University and shall formulate 
academic policies and rules and regulations on discipline, subject to the 
approval of the Board of Regents. 
Sec. 12. The Secretary of the University - The Board shall appoint a 
Secretary, who shall serve as such for both the Board and the University and 
shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board. He shall communicate 
to each member of the Board the notices of meetings. 
Sec. 13. The Treasurer of the University - The Treasurer of the 
Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the University. 
Sec. 14. The Faculty. - Members of the faculty of the University at the 
tertiary level shall be exempt from any civil service examination as a 
requisite for appointment, without prejudice to the right of the Board to 
impose other professional examination requirements intended to maintain 
high 
academic 
standards. 
No religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the 


appointment of faculty members of the University: Provided, however, that 
no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or 
religious sect. 
Sec. 15. Scholarship ProgrdAdmission. - The University shall 
provide a scholarship program and other affirmative actions to assist poor 
but deserving students who qualify for admission to the University. 
No student shall be denied admission to the University by reason of sex, 
religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin. 
Sec. 16. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. - The 
University shall enjoy academic fieedom and institutional autonomy, 
pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the 
Republic of the Philippines. 
Sec. '17. Filing of Report. - On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the 
second month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board 
shall file with the Office of the President of the Philippines through the 
Chairman of the CHED, and with both Houses of Congress a detailed report 
on the progress, conditions and needs of the University. 
Sec. 18. Authority to Loan or Transfer ApparatusEquipment - The 
heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government are hereby 
authorized to loan or transfer, upon the request of the President of the 
University, such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by the 
University, and to detail employees for duty therein when, in the judgment 
of the head of bureau or office, such apparatus, equipment, supplies or 
services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment to the 
public service. The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as 
required of them by the President of the University, and the time so 
employed shall be counted as part of their regular services. 
Sec. 19. Policy on Affiliationhtegration - It shall be the continuing 
policy of the University to accept the affiliation and/or integration within its 
operation of any existing national school within the Province of Sultan 
Kudarat, whose programs can contribute largely and effectively to the 
attainment of its objectives, in coordination with the CHED and in 
consultation with the DBM: Provided, in this particular case, it is understood 
that all funds, properties and assets, as well as obligations of the integrated 
schools, shall be transferred to the University. 
Sec. 20. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel - All assets, fixed and 
movable, personnel and records of the Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State 
College, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the 
University: Provided, however, That the positions, rights and security of 
tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing 
laws prior to the conversion into a University are not impaired. All parcels 
of land belonging to the government occupied by the Sultan Kudarat 
Polytechnic State College are hereby declared to be property of the Central 


Cotabato State University, and shall be titled under that name: Provided, 
fixthermore, That should the University cease to exist or be abolished or 
should such parcels of land aforementioned be no longer needed by the 
University, the same shall revert to the concerned local government unit 
(LGU). 
Sec. 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cany out the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's 
appropriations of the Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College, except the 
sums needed to continue the operations of the existing high school. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the contmued operation and 
maintenance of the Central Cotabato State University shall be included in 
the: Annual General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 
22. 
Development 
Plan, 
Management 
Audit, 
Organizational/Administrative/Academic Structure - Within the period of 
one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the University 
shall accomplish the following: 
(a) 
Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its 
corresponding program budget to the CHED, for corresponding 
recommendation to DBM; 
(b) Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED; 
(c) Accordingly set up its organizational administrative as well as 
academic structure, including the appointment of the University 
key officials; and 
(d) Set in motion the establishment of at least four (4) separate degree- 
granting units, one of which is in the arts and sciences and 
another, at the graduate level. 
Sec. 23. Incorporation of RA No. 8292 - The provisions of Republic 
Act No.8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act 
of 1997", shall form part of this Act and together shall serve as the 
governing charter of the University. 
Sec. 24. Imposition of Powers - All other powers, functions and 
privileges, responsibilities and limitations to State college/universities and/or 
their officials under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed 
upon the'university andor its officials whenever appropriate. 
Sec. 25. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 26. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,