NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 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”. 
The 1987 Constitution also provides that “the State shall protect and promote the right of all 
citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such 
education accessible to all” and that “Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of 
higher learning”. 
Despite this, it cannot be denied that there are still some educational institutions that have 
policies that run counter to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.  
This bill aims to provide a national framework for the students' rights and welfare in order to 
ensure that education is provided to all and that the rights and privileges that students are 
entitled to are protected and promoted. And one such right is the right of students to 
organize and participate in student organizations, student unions, and student councils and 
governments.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
September 11, 2023
8:00 am
9109


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND 
WELFARE  
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 "Students Rights and Welfare 
Act”. 
SECTION  2.  Declaration of Policy. – Pursuant to Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 
Philippine Constitution, it is the policy of the State to “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”. Further, it is hereby 
declared that it is also the policy of the State to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino 
students.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) "School' refers to a private, public or government-run and funded institution for learning in
all levels of education. For purposes of this Act, the term shall include institutions for
vocational and technical education but excludes those institutions for enhanced basic
education.  A school is comprised of the student body, administration, faculty, and non-
faculty personnel;
b) "School Campus” refers to areas designated by the school administration for use by
students, which shall include, but are not limited  to, facilities, contiguous or proximate
buildings, and the school grounds;
c) “Student” refers to any person enrolled in a particular school, as the latter is defined in
sub-paragraph (a) of this Section;
d) “Governing Board” refers to the highest policy-making body at the school such as a Board
of Directors, Regents, or Trustees;
e) “Student Council” or “Student Government” is the collective term to refer to the
representatives of students in a school or of students in different independent units of a
school, college, or university. A designated student population annually elects members of
the student council or of the student government at large following election rules in the
charter or constitution of the student council or the student government;
f) “Council of leaders” refers to a duly constituted body composed of the heads of all, or
almost all student organizations in a school. The chairperson or the president of the student
council or student government, or any student duly elected by the members of the council of
leaders shall preside over the council of leaders;
9109


g) “Tuition” refers to amounts paid for the privilege to receive education in a school;
h) "Other school fees" refer fees other that tuition. These include library and athletic fees,
laboratory fees, entrance fees, National Service Training Program Fees, student council or
student government fees, graduation fees, medical and dental fees, and other similar fees.
SECTION  4. Right against discrimination in educational institutions. – No student shall 
be denied  admission or dropped from the rolls of an institution, punished with disciplinary 
action, given mandatory counseling, or denied welfare services, scholarships, and other 
student privileges solely on the basis of physical handicap, socio-economic status, political 
and religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender  identity, or expression or membership in 
organizations.  
SECTION 5. Right to competent instruction and accessible, quality, relevant 
education. – Students have the right to accessible, competent, holistic, quality, and relevant 
education that is essential to personal   development and to the development of the nation. 
Students shall also take part in teacher performance assessments through written 
evaluations at the end of each school term. The conduct of such assessments shall be the 
obligation of the school administration.  
SECTION  6. Right to organize. – The right of students to form, assist, or join
organizations, alliances, or federations shall not be abridged. 
The student council or the student government and the council of leaders shall formulate 
guidelines for the accreditation of student organizations. Such guidelines shall be 
implemented by the office of student affairs, in coordination with the student council or 
student government, which shall adopt a mechanism to resolve issues that may be raised in 
the accreditation process.  
The accreditation requirements shall not unduly restrict the right of students to organize and 
may include submission of documentary requirements such as, but not limited to, a written 
application for accreditation, a copy of the constitution and by-laws of the organization, a 
general plan of action or list of activities, list of incumbent officers, and a list of members.  
 Accredited student organizations shall coordinate with the office of student affairs for on-and 
off-campus, activities. The school shall provide, free of charge, a hall or building within the 
school campus where a student organization may establish its office or permanent meeting 
area.  
Furthermore, the school administration shall allow student organizations to use school 
facilities for their activities tree of charge. 
SECTION 7. Right to establish a student council or government. – There shall be a 
student council or student government recognized in every school, university or college, as 
the case may be.  
a) In schools, universities, or colleges where there is no existing student council or student
government, the following procedure shall be followed in establishing the student council or
student government.
 A constitution or charter of the student council or student government resulting from a 
consultative process involving the council of leaders and representatives of unaffiliated 
students shall he adopted. The constitution or charter shall be formally adopted after its 
ratification by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the designated student population. It shall contain 


provisions on the structure, functions, and responsibilities of the student council or student 
government.  
 
Every student council or student government shall have the right to determine its policies 
and programs on student activities subject to the provisions of its charter or constitution and   
in consonant with school rules and regulations: Provided, that the latter does not infringe on 
the basic rights and freedoms of students,  
 
The election of the members or officers of the student council or the student government 
shall be conducted by an independent commission on elections which shall ensure that such 
elections are honest, orderly, and peaceful. The members of the commission of elections 
shall be chosen from a list of nominees from members of the council of leaders. The school 
concerned shall ensure that the commission on elections has sufficient funds to carry out its 
mandate. 
 
b) In schools, universities, or colleges where there are existing student councils or student 
governments, student representation shall still be lodged in the duly-elected student councils 
or student governments.  
 
The existing procedure for the election of members of student councils or student 
governments shall be retained and enforced as long as it conforms to the provisions of this 
Act. Otherwise, the existing procedure shall have transitory effects until the designated 
student population has adopted a new charter or constitution consistent with the provisions 
of this Act. Such adoption shall be among the primary activities of the existing student 
council or student government. 
 
A “student council or student government fee” may be collected from students to finance the 
operations of the student council or student government, the amount of which shall be 
determined by the student council or student government in consultation with the student 
body and should be consistent with the student council’s or student government's general 
plan of action or list of activities for a specific term. The school administration shall facilitate 
the collection of the student council or student government fee and shall turn over the 
collected amount to the student council or student government within fifteen (15) days after 
the start of the semester or school period. The student council or student government shall 
release a financial report at the end of its term. To take effect, a proposal to increase the 
student council or student government fee shall require a vote of simple majority by the 
designated student population. No policy restricting the right of student councils or student 
governments to join federations or alliances of student councils shall be imposed by the 
school administration.  
 
SECTION 8. Right against campus militarization. – Students have the right to an 
academic environment free from fear and surveillance from military and police agents and 
instruments.  
 
Prior notification shall be given by a commander of an AFP or PNP unit intending to conduct 
any military or police operation in any part of  the school campus, to the school president, 
dean, or their respective officers in charge in the event of their absence, when the situation 
so warrants.  
 
Except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency, or in cases defined in the 
next succeeding paragraph, or ordinary transit through a school campus, no member of the 
AFP or PNP shall enter the premises of a school. Whenever requested by law enforcers, the 
appropriate school officials shall extend the necessary assistance in the enforcement of the 
law within school premises.  
 


Whenever the president, dean, or their respective officers-in-charge is of the opinion that the 
assistance the AFP or PNP is indispensable to the maintenance of security, peace, and 
order within campus premises, the said official shall inform in writing the head of the AFP or 
PNP unit in the area and the latter shall promptly dispatch such assistance as may be 
warranted by the circumstances.  
 
In case the request for assistance is granted, only uniformed members of the AFP or PNP 
with proper identification shall be allowed entry into the campus concerned.  
 
Members of the AFP or PNP shall not interfere with peaceful protest actions by students 
within school premises. The pertinent school officials shall be deemed responsible for the 
behavior of their students, faculty, and employees in such activities.  
 
SECTION 9. Right to publish a student newspaper and other similar publications. – In 
accordance with Republic Act No. 7079 or the "Campus Journalism Act of 1991, students 
shall have the right to publish a student newspaper and other similar publications.  
 
The editorial staff of the student paper shall be comprised of students. The editorial staff 
shall have a faculty adviser who has the role of providing technical assistance.  
 
The selection of the student editor-in-chief and the members of the editorial staff shall be 
conducted annually through fair and competitive examinations to be administered by an 
impartial board of judges which shall be comprised of professional journalists and 
representatives from the faculty and the student body. 
 
Ethics in journalism shall be observed by the editorial staff. It shall be the responsibility of the 
editorial staff to ensure that the paper is not used for purposes contrary to law.  
 
Unless sooner removed for cause and with due process, the editor-in-chief and editorial staff 
shall have security of tenure for the duration of his/her prescribed term.  
 
The student publication shall be financially autonomous from the school administration. A 
"student publication fee” shall be collected from the students and shall be held in trust by the 
school administration. No policy shall be imposed by the school administration to hamper the 
access of the editorial staff to such fund, subject to existing school regulations in the 
disbursement of funds. The school administration shall also be prohibited from using such 
fund. At the end of each term, the editorial board shall publish a financial statement.  
 
SECTION 10. Right to adequate welfare services and academic facilities. – The school 
administration shall endeavor to provide the following services;  
 
a) Health services for students with at least one (3) functioning clinic and a registered nurse 
to provide basic care for common ailments;  
b) Legal assistance in cases involving the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms 
provided in this Act; 
c) Counseling;  
d) Adequate laboratory, library, research, recreation, and physical education facilities;  
e) Effective communications system to ensure that students are promptly notified and 
informed; 
f)  Adequate, safe, and clean board and lodging facilities, such as dormitories, inside the 
school campus. In case the school has no in-campus dormitories, the school administration 
and the student council or student government shall be required to accredit or recommend 
out-of-campus dormitories where students are encouraged to stay.  
 


SECTION  11. Representation in the school's highest policy-making body. – There shall 
be a student representative in the highest policy-malting body of the school. The selection 
process for the student representative will be formulated by the student council or student 
government, but adopted through a referendum among the students.  
 
The student representative shall have the same rights as the other members of the 
governing board; Provided, that no monetary compensation shall be given to the student 
representative except reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in 
attending meetings and representing the governing board.  
 
SECTION 12. Right to information. – The right of students to information on matters 
affecting their welfare shall be recognized.  
 
At the minimum, students shall have access to the following documents:  
a) Official school acts embodying school policies;  
b) The school's annual budget information, including pertinent transactions; and  
c)  Any other document that involves the rights and welfare of the students.  
 
Any student who wishes to obtain information from the school administration shall simply 
forward a letter request through mail or through electronic means to the assigned custodian 
of the requested information or document.  
 
SECTION 13. Right to freedom of expression. – Students shall have the right to freely 
express their views and opinions. They shall have the right to peaceably assemble and 
petition the government and school authorities for the redress of their grievances. No school 
regulation shall be imposed violating or abridging the student's right to assembly.  
 
Students shall have access to print and broadcast media in their activities. They shall also 
have the right to print, circulate, and/or mount leaflets, newsletters, posters, wall news 
petitions, and such other materials.  School authorities shall ensure the provision of facilities 
such as bulletin boards.  
 
SECTION  14. Academic freedom. – Students' academic freedom shall consist of, but not 
limited to, the following rights:  
 
a) To conduct researches in connection with academic work, and to freely discuss and 
publish their findings and recommendations; 
b) To conduct inquiry within the campus in relation to curricular and extra-curricular    
activities;  
c) To choose a field of study and to pursue the quest for truth;  
d) To express their opinion on any subject or public or general concern which directly or     
indirectly affects the students of the educational system;  
e) To invite off-campus speakers or resource persons to student-sponsored assemblies,    
forums, symposia, and other similar activities;  
f) To express contrary interpretations or   dissenting opinions inside and outside the      
classrooms;  
g) To participate in the drafting of a new curriculum and in the review or revision of the old    
through consultations and membership in working groups;  
h) To participate in the process of revising the student handbook and school rules and       
regulations.  A copy of the existing student handbook will be given to students upon       
admission to the school: and  
i) To decided and choose actions according to personal and political beliefs, and be free 
from the imposition of any thought, ideology, or principle,  
 
SECTION 15. Rights on Academic Procedure. –   


a) Syllabus 
A syllabus should clearly define and reflect the contents of the curriculum. The course 
syllabus shall be provided to students before the start of classes to ensure that students are    
guided throughout the school term.  
 
b) Class requirements and measures for evaluation 
1. Criteria for grading should be formal and appropriately quantified;  
2. Mere absences from scheduled classroom lectures should not be the sole basis for 
grading: Provided, that a maximum number of absences shall be prescribed; 
3. A student shall have the right to do make-up work in the event that requirements were       
not accomplished because of excusable inability to be physically present.  
 
c) Class performance.  
Students have a right to know their class performance data from submitted papers, quizzes,      
long or short examinations and other similar class requirements  
 
d) Consultations.  
Members of the school faculty shall have regular consultation hours and make themselves 
available to discuss relevant student concerns. These hours should be made known to the 
students at the beginning of the term.  
 
SECTION 16. Right to due process. – The right of a student to due process shall be 
observed and respected especially during disciplinary proceedings.  
 
There shall be an independent student disciplinary board to be composed of one (1) 
representative from the school administration, two (2) faculty members, and two (2) 
students: Provided, that the representatives shall have the written endorsement of the 
student council or student government.  
 
The board shall conduct investigations and decide student disciplinary cases following the 
adopted guidelines for the proceedings. The representative from the administration shall sit 
in the board for five (5) years, the representative from the faculty for three (3) years, and the 
representative from the students for one (1) year.  
 
Blacklisting, expulsion, suspension, and other disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed 
against an erring student shall be imposed only if the following rights have been observed 
and accorded the student:  
 
a)  To a hearing before the board, which includes the right to present one's case and submit      
evidence in support thereof; 
b)  Against self-incrimination;  
c) To be defended by a representative or counsel of choice, adequate time being given for 
the preparation of the defense; 
d) To have the decision rendered on the evidence presented at the hearing, or at least 
contained in the record and disclosed to the parties affected; 
e) To appeal adverse decisions of the student disciplinary board to the governing board and 
ultimately to the appropriate education agencies; 
f) To have the deciding body, render its decision in such a manner that the issues involved 
and the reasons for any decision rendered are made clear to the student;  
g) To Confidentiality; and  
h)  Any other rights as are afforded and guaranteed to an accused under the Constitution.  
 
Subject to existing laws, a decision on a case filed before a student disciplinary board shall 
be resolved within three (3) months after the filing of such a case or complaint.  


The office of the guidance counselor of the concerned school, in consultation with the 
student disciplinary board, shall publish on a periodic basis a list of acts that violate school 
rules and regulations and their corresponding disciplinary sanctions:  Provided, that such 
rules and regulations do not violate the rights guaranteed herein and under the Constitution.  
 
SECTION 17. Right against illegal searches and seizures. Except for the following, any 
other form of search and seizure shall be unreasonable and illegal:  
 
a) Searches made with a valid search warrant;  
b) Searches made at the point of ingress and egress by a person authorized by the school;  
c) Seizure of articles deemed illegal under existing laws falling in the plain view of duly      
confiscating authority; and  
d) Searches and seizures made when the student is about to commit, is committing, or has 
just committed a crime or a serious infraction of such rules and regulations.  
 
Articles seized in violation of this Section shall be deemed fruits of an unlawful search and 
seizure and therefore cannot be used as evidence against the student in any disciplinary 
action.  
 
SECTION 18. Access to school records and issuance of official certificates. – Students 
shall have access to their own school records, and have the right to be issued official 
certificates, diplomas, copies of transcripts of records, copies of grades, documents required 
as transfer credentials, and other similar documents within  thirty (30) days from the filing of 
a written request together with other  reasonable requirements.  
The school shall strictly maintain the confidentiality of all school records.  
 
SECTION 19. Right to privacy. – The right of students to the privacy of their communication 
and correspondence is affirmed and shall remain inviolable. This right to privacy also 
extends to the following:  
a) The public use of student's name or likeness;  
b) A student's private affairs, including seclusion or solitude;  
c) Personal circumstances, whether facts or otherwise, especially those which, from the    
point of view of the student, will cause him embarrassment when made public; and  
d) That information which might put any person in false light and destroy good reputation. 
 
SECTION 20. Ban on Firearms. – No person shall carry firearms or explosives in school  
campuses except if such person has the necessary  permit to carry such firearm issued by 
appropriate government authorities by reason of his obligation to ensure peace and security 
of the school campus,  such as that of a member of the Philippine National Police.  
 
SECTION 21. School fees and other tariffs. – Contributions which do not pertain to the 
tuition or other fees, as well as to other fees allowed to be collected in this Act, shall prima 
facie be considered unnecessary and shall be prohibited from being collected.  
 
To comply with student requests for information as provided in Suction 18 of this Act, 
schools are prohibited from imposing fees beyond the actual cost of reproducing  school 
records, official certificates, copies of transcript of records, copies of grades, and other    
documents required as transfer credentials.  
 
No increase in tuition or other school fees shall be allowed unless:  
a) A notice of increase specifying the particular fee to be increased is publicly announced 
and posted in conspicuous locations a year prior before the proposed increase is planned to 
take effect.  The council of leaders and the student council or student government shall be 
directly notified about the proposed increase.  


b) At least one (1) public meeting was held where students, the council of leaders, and the   
student council or student government have an open discussion with the school 
administration regarding the proposed increase. The head of the governing board shall be 
present during this public meeting. Parents of students may be allowed to attend. The 
conduct of the public meeting shall not be interpreted as denying the students a continuous      
consultation process in relation to the proposed increase.  
c) All documents pertaining to the proposed increase is made available to the student 
council or student government  
d) The presentation of a counterproposal or position of the student representative to the      
governing board has been conducted.  
 
SECTION 22.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within six (6) months from the 
date of effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, CHED, TESDA, CHR, NYC representatives of 
national student organizations and representatives of school administration shall issue the 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act.   
 
SECTION  23. Administrative bodies and remedies. – The CHED,  DepEd, and TESDA  
are hereby vested with powers necessary to investigate and impose administrative penalties 
to ensure  the enforcement of this Act. Any student, member of a student council or student   
governments, or youth organizations may file written complaints before the CHED, DepEd 
and TESDA.  
 
SECTION 24. Penal Provisions. – Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain, or 
coerce any student in the exercise and enjoyment of rights guaranteed by this Act shall, 
upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more 
than five (5) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Philippine pesos (Php 50,000) 
but not more than One Hundred Thousand Philippine pesos (Php 100,000), or both, at the 
discretion of the court.  
 
If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall he imposed upon the president, 
treasurer, secretary or any officer or person responsible for the violation. If the offender is a 
public officer or employee, the Court shall, in addition to the penalties above, order his or her 
dismissal from government service.  
 
SECTION 25. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
 
SECTION 26. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 27. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,