NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
:TvnT'
' if/ff'*'0! til? ■!
24 AUG 14 P6:06
SENATE 
S. No.
RLCtlVSDii*.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROHIBITING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM PREVENTING THEIR 
DISADVANTAGED GRADUATING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR 
GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR REASONS OF OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL 
OBLIGATIONS, SUCH AS UNPAID TUITION FEES, MISCELLANEOUS FEES, 
AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that one of 
the priorities of the State is to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality 
education at all levels, and to implement policies that ensure that education is 
accessible to all.
Among the significant milestones of a student is his or her graduation - when 
they celebrate their achievement with their families and share the joy of graduating 
with their fellow graduates and friends. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in 
their lives, allowing them to reflect on their future and make important decisions, such 
as whether to pursue higher learning or gainful employment, start a business, among 
others.
This measure prohibits all educational institutions from preventing 
disadvantaged graduating students from participating in their graduation ceremony 
for reasons of outstanding financial or property obligations, such as unpaid tuition, 
graduation and other school fees.
Immediate approval of the measure is hereby sought.
RAMO^ONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2783
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24 AUG 14 P6:06
d
RliCEIVrTj B'
\j
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROHIBITING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM PREVENTING THEIR 
DISADVANTAGED GRADUATING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR 
GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR REASONS OF OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL 
OBLIGATIONS, SUCH AS UNPAID TUITION FEES, MISCELLANEOUS FEES, 
AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Kapakanan ng
2 
Magsisipagtapos Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right of all citizens to quality education and to take appropriate steps to
5 
make education accessible to all, including ensuring that educational opportunities are
6 
made available to students regardless of their economic status. The State shall
7 
promote the right of all graduating students to an equal opportunity to participate in
8 
their graduation ceremony upon completion of their academic requirements for their
9 
respective programs.
10 
Sec 3. Definition of Terms. - The following phrases, when used in this Act, shall
11 
have the meanings given to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates
12 
otherwise:
13 
1. Educational Institution - refers to all public and private establishments that
14 
provide instructional and/or educational services to individuals on all levels,
15 
including post-graduate and technical-vocational courses, holding a graduation
16 
ceremony;


1 
2. Disadvantaged Graduating Student - refers to graduating students who have
2 
already completed their academic requirements, but for specific reasons, are
3 
unable to pay tuition, miscellaneous fees, and other school fees; as certified by
4 
the Municipal, City or Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, or the
5 
Regional Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
6 
(DSWD);
7 
3. Graduation - refers to the conferment of an academic degree to the student
8 
after completing his or her academic requirements;
9 
4. Graduation Ceremony - refers to the formal event at which a graduating student
10 
is awarded with a diploma and/or a certificate by an educational institution. It
11 
may also refer to a commencement exercise.
12 
Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all public and private basic (K to 12)
13 
institutions, higher education institutions, and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs):
14 
Provided, that in the case of TVIs, this Act shall only cover long-term courses
15 
exceeding one (1) year.
16 
Sec. 5. Mandate of Educational Institutions to Disadvantaged Graduating
17 
Students. — All public and private educational institutions covered by this Act are
18 
hereby mandated to accommodate and allow Disadvantaged Graduating Students to
19 
attend their graduation ceremony, regardless of any balance or arrears to their
20 
payment of tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, and other school fees; Provided, That the
21 
Municipal, City or Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, or the Regional
22 
Office of the DSWD, as the case may be, shall issue the necessary certificate on the
23 
disadvantaged status of the student due to calamities, emergencies, force majeure
24 
and other justifiable reasons in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued
25 
by the DSWD: Provided, further, That this Act shall be without prejudice to the right
26 
and power of educational institutions to require the submission of a promissory note,
27 
withhold records and credentials of students and such other legal and administrative
28 
remedies available to them for the collection of unpaid fees: Provided, finally. That
29 
educational institutions may voluntarily, without need of the certification mentioned
30 
herein, allow a Disadvantaged Graduating Student with outstanding tuition,
31 
miscellaneous, and other school fees to attend their graduation ceremony and release


1 
their relevant records and credentials in accordance \N\th its policies, rules and
2 
regulations.
3 
Sec. 6. Right of Educational Institution to Withhold. - Educational institutions
4 
may withhold the release of the actual diploma and/or other academic documents of
5 
the graduating students until all fees are paid by the latter.
6 
Sec. 7. Administrative Sanctions. - All covered public and private educational
7 
institutions found guilty of violating Section 5 of this Act shall be subject to
8 
administrative sanctions that may be imposed by the Department of Education,
9 
Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development
10 
Authority, as the case may be.
11 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DSWD shall, in
12 
consultation with Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education,
13 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Interior and
14 
Local Government and relevant stakeholders, promulgate the rules and regulations
15 
defining "Disadvantaged Graduating Student" and the criteria and requirements for,
16 
and effectivity of, the issuance of a certification to that effect by the Municipal, City or
17 
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, or the Regional Office of the
18 
DSWD, to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
19 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of
20 
such provision is declared unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise
21 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
22 
Sec 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
23 
letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent
24 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
25 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
26 
complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
27 
circulation.
Approved,