THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
' h  
First Regular Session 
) 
I 
Introduced by 
On June 18, 1908, the First Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 1870, which 
created the University of the Philippines. The University of the Philippines became the 
nation's leading institution of higher learning, renowned as the bastion of academic freedom 
and academic excellence. 
Nearly a century after its enactment, the old charter of the University of the 
Philippines no longer reflects the realities nor responds to the challenges of the times. It is 
now time for a thorough review and amendment of the old charter to strengthen the 
University sf the Philippines as the national university and to assert its unique and 
distinctive leadership in higher education not only in producing graduates with knowledge 
and skills that the current job market demands, but also in breeding leaders in the major 
fields, industries and academic disciplines of the country. 
This bill, which seeks to strengthen the University of the Philippines as the national 
university, incorporates several statutes and issuances issued for administrative purposes 
that have been tested through time in the University of the Philippines. Among its salient 
provisions are the inclusion of a Staff Regent in the Board of Regents to rep 
time, permanent research, extension, and professional staff and administrativ 
the highest policy-making body of the University of the Philippines, the 
authority to the Board of Regents to draw up a position classification and com 
for the faculty and staff of the University of the Philippines, the productive uti 
grants and other real properties of the University of the Philippines through the grant of the 
same powers as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in the Board of Regents, and the 
exemption of the University of the Philippines from the payment of certain taxes to promote 
its financial health, and fiscal and institutional autonomy. The provisions of this bill are 
largely based on House Bill No. 455 passed by the House of Representatives in the 12th 
Congress. 
In line with the State policy to give priority to education to foster patriotism and 
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development, the passage of this bill strengthen 
niversity of the Philippines as the 
State's national university is earnestly sought. 
J 
Senator 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
!:"I " 
'0.2 # , L > : . L ! j  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
i\\,tyis/E{ 1 I V V  
. : b  
:? 
i 
u_ 
Introduced by 
excellence in such disciplines and professions; 


5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
services while maintaining its standards of excellence. 
Sec. 9. The Board of Regents. - The government of the University of the 
is vested in a board of regents known as the "Board of Regents of the Unive-sity 
Philippines 
of the 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
guidelines to ensure their implementation; 
(2) To preserve the integrity of the University of the Philippines System; 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
(3) 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 of the Philippines; 
(4) To approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as recommended by 
the University Council of the constituent university concerned through the President of the 
University of the Philip$nes; 
(5) 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 of the Philippines: Provided, That such 
degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift or other valuable 
consideration; 
(6) To approve the rules on student discipline, as recommended by th University 
Council of the constituent university concerned through the President of the Univ rsity of the 
Philippines; 
I 
(7) To create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent universities, 
colleges, institutes, and other academic and administrative units of the University of the 
Philippines and to determine or transfer their geographical location; 
(8) To establish professorial chair awards; 
(9) To provide fellowships, scholarships and grants, and to award the same to 
faculty, staff and students having special evidence of merit, especially those who are poor 
and deserving individuals; 
(IO) To elect the President of the University of the Philippines for a term of six (6) 
years following a process of democratic consultation with the University of the Philippines 
community, subject to guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board of Regents. 
In the event of a vacancy, the Board of Regents shall elect a president who shall serve a full 
term within six (6) months from the occurrence of the vacancy; 
(11) To appoint faculty members and other officials and employees, to draw up a 
position classification-amd compensation plan for its faculty and staff, and to fix and adjust 
salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees, any other provision of 
law to the contrary notwithstanding; to determine their hours of service, and such other 
terms and conditions as it may deem proper; and to remove them for cause as provided by 
law after due investigation and proper hearing; 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
I1 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
(12) To extend, with their consent, the tenure of faculty members of the University of 
the Philippines 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 of the Philippines, whenever their services are especially 
needed; 
(13) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges. Such fees and 
charges, including government financial and material support and other income generated 
by the University of the Philippines, 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 of the 
Philippines. Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, all incomes 
generated by the University of the Philippines or by its own subsidiaries shall, upon their 
collection, be retained by the University of the Philippines and disbursed at the discretion of 
the Board of Regents for the professional growth and development, health, w Ifare, and 
other benefits of the faculty members and other personnel; for the acquisition, c nstruction, 
maintenance and repair of urgently needed instructional and auxiliary facilities, quipment, 
buildings and other infrastructure; and for expenses necessary for the attain 1 
ent of its 
purpose and functions under this Act; 
(14) 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 purpose and functions of the University of the 
Philippines; 
(15) To authorize the construction, maintenance and 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; 
(16) 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 of the Philippines and subject to the instructions of the donor, if any; 
(17) To develop land grants and other real properties of the University of the 
Philippines in accordance with Sec. 19 of this Act; 
(18)-.To authorize its faculty and staff to travel abroad in order to study, deliver 
papers, attend conferences and disseminate research, any provision of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding; 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
shall determine the compensation of the President of the University of the Philippines. 


8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
I4 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
(3) Recommend to the Boa'rd of Regents the graduation of students and t h "  
e grant of 
honors; 
(4) Exercise disciplinary power over the students, through the Chancellors or their 
appropriate committees, subject to review by the President of the University of the 
Philippines according to the limits prescribed by the system-wide rules on student discipline; 
(5) Undertake the periodic review of academic courses, programs, standards, thrusts 
and policies; and 
(6) Adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 16, The Chancellor ofihe 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 of the Philippines. The Chancellor of the 
constituent university shall be elected by the Board of Regents upon nomination of the 
President of the University of the Philippines, following a process of democratic consultation 
with the constituents of the constituent university concerned, subject to guidelines, 
qualifications and standards 
.- 
set by the Board of Regents. The Chancellor shall be the head 
of the faculty of each constituent university. The Chancellor shall report to the President of 
the University of the Philippines, and shall perform the duties and functions provided in this 
Act, and all related functions of the office of the Chancellor, subject to rules prescribed by 
the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents shall determine the term and compensation of 
the Chancellor. 
- -  
Sec. 17. The Faculty. -The teaching staff of each college shall constitut its faculty. 
The college faculty shall be presided over by a Dean. The Dean shall be ele ted by the 
Board of Regents on nomination by the President of the University of the Philippines and 
upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the constituent university, following a process of 
democratic consultation with the constituents of the college, subject to guidelines, 
qualifications and standards set by the Board of Regents. 
Sec. 18. Appointment Requisites. - Faculty members as well as academic research, 
extension and professional staff of the University of the Philippines shall be exempt from 
any civil service examination or regulation as a requisite to appointment. Any other 
provision of 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 belief, or political 
1. . 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
matter of examination or inquiry. 
Sec. 19. Land Grants and Other Real Properties. - 
(1) The State shall provide financial and material support to the Unive sity of the 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor; 
(3) Importation of economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical 


Sec, 24. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared 
SecT-25. Repeding 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. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.