■i *
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2292
Senate
23 JUL-4 P2 59
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
TO MANDATE ALL COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS TO RECOGNIZE AND GIVE 
HONORS TO STUDENTS THAT ATTAINED THE REQUIRED GRADE, 
AND DISALLOWING THE DISQUALIFICATION THEREOF ON THE GROUND 
OF FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY GRADE FOR A SPECIFIC 
SUBJECT, PROVIDING FOR A RETROACTIVE EFFECT.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A single failure and shortcomings should not invalidate one's hardships.
In preparation for their careers, college students are exerting all their efforts in 
pursuing their goal - to graduate. For many students, however, they exert extra 
diligence to excel in their chosen fields to obtain the recognition of their institutions 
and achieve the highest honors that will aid them in getting an advantage once they 
become professionals. These are students who have shown excellence, brilliance, and 
eminence in their field of study.
Unfortunately, some students were not able to achieve their long-aimed awards 
due to failure to obtain the required grade for specific course subjects by the schools 
albeit they have secured the necessary weighted average that shall qualify them to be 
an awardee. These cause disappointment, frustration, and discouragement to 
students who have been striving to excel academically and may hinder their long-term 
plan which may have a long-term effect.
While academic freedom of the educational institution is well respected and 
enshrined in the Constitution, the State should balance the same with the interest and 
well-being of the students.


Thus, this bill seeks to mandate all college institutions to recognize and qualify 
students that attained the required grade for honors, thus, effectively disallowing the 
failure to obtain the necessary grade for a specific subject as a ground for 
disqualification thereof. This also allows alumni of the concerned educational 
institutions to apply for an award long deprived to them by reason of said 
disqualification, by filing an application for such honor within the period set forth in 
the bill.
In view of the foregoing, early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2292
I/ ' ''I 
^ r n n i £
of tl..e
23 JUL-4 P 2 59
RECEIV'D BV;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
TO MANDATE ALL COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS TO RECOGNIZE AND GIVE 
HONORS TO STUDENTS THAT ATTAINED THE REQUIRED GRADE, AND 
DISALLOWING THE DISQUALIFICATION THEREOF ON THE GROUND OF 
FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY GRADE FOR A SPECIFIC SUBJECT, 
PROVIDING FOR A RETROACTIVE EFFECT.
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 "Recognition of
2 
Honors Achievement Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
4 
shall be defined as follows:
5 
(a) Honors - Refers to any form of recognition or academic award given to a
6 
student for performing well in his/her academic studies.
7 
(b) Required Grade - Refers to the minimum grade required to qualify for the
8 
recognition of honors by a college institution.
9 
Sec. 3. Recognition of Honors. - All college institutions in the Philippines shall
10 
recognize a student's academic achievement and give honors to those who obtain
11 
the required grade in their academic studies.


1 
Sec. 4. Disqualification of Honors. - No college institution shall disqualify a
2 
student from receiving honors by reason of failing to obtain the necessary grade for
3 
a specific subject. The disqualification of a student for honors shall only be based on
4 
the student's overall academic record.
5 
Sec. 5. Retroactive Effect - This Act shall apply retroactively in all cases
6 
where a student was disqualified from receiving honors by reason of failure to obtain
7 
the necessary grade for a specific subject. Provided, that a person can only apply for
8 
the recognition for an award from his/her school for a retroactive effect within two
9 
(2) years from the effectivity of this Act.
10 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Higher
11 
Education (CHED) shall formulate the Implementing rules and regulations necessary
12 
to carry out the provisions of this Act.
13 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application
14 
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the other provisions not
15 
affected shall continue to be in force and effect.
16 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules, and regulations
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
18 
accordingly.
19 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
20 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,