FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1 6 4  1 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
- 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 13, Article I I  of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State 
recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect 
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in 
the youth patriotism, nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic 
affairs. 
Consistent with the desired objectives of this constitutional provision, this 
Magna Carta for students is being proposed as a means of recognizing and 
protecting the rights and welfare of the Philippine Studentry. 
The enactment of the proposed measure will have far reaching significance 
considering that the future leaders of this nation will definitely come from the ranks 
of dynamic, progressive and nationalistic students. 


q t  : 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 16$1 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. General Principles. - The State recognizes the crucial role of 
(a) The State shall promote the active participation of students in affecting 
students in nation building. As such, 
change, and development in society. 
(b) The State shall promote and protect the right of all students to qualify 
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such 
education accessible to all. 
(c) The intrinsic value of the student as a person stands above other values. 
The personal right and dignity of individuals shall be held inviolate; it shall 
take precedence over any academic goal set by any school or learning 
institution. 
(d) The student shall be considered at all times a responsible person. He or 
she shall, therefore be encouraged to make informed decisions with 
respect to his or her own education and to be involved in school decisions 
to the fullest extent possible. 
(e) The State recognizes the role of student councils, publications and other 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
(9 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
organizations in the promotion and protection of the students' democratic 
rights and welfare and in the inculcation of social awareness and 
responsibility. 
Both the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn depend upon 
opportunities and conditions in the classrooms, on the campus and in the 
larger community. The responsibility to provide and maintain general 
conditions conducive to learning is shared by all members to the 
academic community. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
1 
8 
9 
10 
1 1  
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
IS 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
2s 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
31 
3s 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act: 
(a) “Student” means any person enrolled in school, even if on leave for the 
semester or with minimum course load, pursuing secondary, post 
secondary, vocational, technical, tertiary, graduate and post graduate 
studies. 
(b) “Student” means any private, public or government run and funded 
academic institutions offering any or all courses in the above mentioned 
levels, and collectively those responsible for its control and operations; 
(c) “School Campus” means the totality of all contiguous or proximate 
buildings, grounds or other facilities designated by the school authorities 
as areas or facilities for the use of its students; a school may consists of 
more than one campus; 
(d) “Governing Board” means the highest policy making body of the school 
such as the Board of Directors, Trustees or Regents; 
(e) “Student CouncillGovernment” means the body representing the whole 
student population in one campus whose officers are annually elected at 
large by the whole student population pursuant to its constitution and by 
laws; 
(9 “Council of Leaders” means the body composed of the heads of various 
student organizations chaired by the PresidenVChairperson of the 
Student Council; 
(9) “Student Publications” means publications managed and published by 
students and autonomous and independent from sectors of the school; 
(h) “Students Organizations” means an association or group of students 
bonded by common ideals, principles, visions and interests and working 
towards achieving their goals and aspirations; 
(i) “Instructor” means any person hired by the school to conduct classroom 
activities; 
(j) “Tuition” means the fee representing direct costs of instruction, training 
and academically related activities, and the use of school facilities. The 
term “other school fees” refers to fees which cover the necessary costs 
directly supportive of instruction, such as medical and dental, athletic, 
library, laboratory, student council fees, publication fees, and Citizen 
Army Training (CAT) or Citizen Military Training (CMT) fees. 
SECTION 3. Freedom of Access to Education. - Under no circumstances 
shall a student be denied admission to any school and of financial aid, scholarship 
and other educational privileges and opportunities because of physical disability, 
socio-economic status, political belief and affiliation, national origin, ancestry, race, 
religion sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, and to the extent specified 
by law, age, or veteran status; nor shall pregnant students, reformed convicts and 
drug abusers and those suffering from the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 
be discriminated against. Students not allowed to enroll in any school has the right 
to appeal such ruling to the appropriate education agency. 
for learning in the classroom and on the campus shall be provided by the school. 
Students are free to pursue their educational goals; appropriate opportunities 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
11 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
31 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
41 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
SECTION 4. Right to Organize and Freedom of Association. - Students are 
free to form, join or participate in any group or organization within or outside of the 
school campus for any lawful purpose including, but not limited to religious, social, 
economic, political, intellectual, cultural or recreational purposes. 
There shall be a central student councillgovernment in every school that is 
autonomous ad with annually popularly elected officers. 
The Committee on 
Elections constituted to conduct the election of the officers shall be composed solely 
of bona fide students of the school. 
Every student counciVgovernment shall 
determine its policies and programs on student activities subject to its duly ratified 
charter and state policy. 
Membership or affiliation to any legitimate student, community, socio-civic, 
religious, political and other lawfully constituted organizations shall not be a 
condition to admission in any school. No student shall likewise be coerced not to 
join any organization as a condition for admission or as a ground for suspension or 
expulsion. 
Affiliation of disaffiliation with an extramural organization shall not disqualify 
the school- based branch or chapter from registering as a student organization. 
No unreasonable requirements for accreditation shall be imposed upon any 
student organization. The Central Student CouncillGovernment shall decide on the 
accreditation of student organizations in consultation with the Dean of Student 
Affairs. 
Upon submission of their constitution and by laws and a formal letter 
addressed to the Central Student CouncillGovernment and for recognition shall be 
immediately processes and acted upon in ten ( I O )  days but not more than twenty 
(20) days. Provided, That existing organizations shall only be required to submit the 
names of their newly elected officers and amendments to their constitution and by- 
laws, if any. 
SECTION 5. Freedom of Expression. - Freedom of expression shall be 
interpreted to include all forms of written and oral expression, and all forms or 
dramatic and artistic expression, dissent or controversy. 
(a) Students shall have access to print and broadcast media in their 
(b) Students shall be free from ’ censorship in the publication and 
dissemination of their view as long as these are not represented as the 
views of the school: 
information activities; 
(c) Student publications shall be free from any action controlling editorial 
policy in accordance with Republic Act No. 7079 otherwise known as the 
“Campus Journalism Act” and its amendments. Its editors, managers and 
contributors shall be protected from arbitrary sanctions originating from 
the outside the student press. 
(d) Subject to existing laws, students shall be free to assemble, to 
demonstrate, to protest, to communicate and to petition the government 
and school authorities for the redress of their grievances; 
(e) School authorities shall designate a certain area on every campus a 
freedom park where students can freely discuss issues directly and 
indirectly affecting them. 


1 
2 
to the following: 
3 
4 
5 
course up to graduation. 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
1 1  
12 
13 
14 
16 
11 
18 
opinions without being penalized. 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
political beliefs. 
21 
28 
30 
31 
32 
approval. 
34 
(h) Students have the right to make a written evaluation of the performance 
35 
of their teachers towards the end of the school term, to propose 
36 
improvements in the quality of instruction and in the screening of 
31 
incoming faculty members, as well as to participate in curriculum 
38 
development. 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
SECTION 6. Academic Rights. - Students' rights shall include but not limited 
(a) A student has the right to choose a field of study and to pursue his 
(b) A student has the right to be informed in reasonable detail in writing at 
the first or a second class meeting with the assigned instructor about 
naturelcontent of the course and to expect the course to correspond 
generally to its official description. 
(c) A student has the right to be informed writing at the first or a second 
class meeting with the assigned the criteria to be used in evaluating the 
student's performance and to expect that the grading system described 
by the school shall be followed; 
15 
(d) A student has the right to legitimate discussions inside and outside the 
classroom and to express dissent or advocate alternative views and 
(e) A student has the right to receive a grade based only upon a fair and just 
evaluation of performance in a course as measured by the standards 
announced by the instructor at the first or second meeting. The student 
will be evaluated on knowledge and academic performance for purpose 
and granting academic credit and not on the basis of personal and 
(9 A student has the freedom to conduct academic researches and to freely 
discuss and publish hislher findings and recommendations. 
(9) Students may invite and hear speakers of their choice on subjects of their 
choice, and the school for the purpose of censorship shall not withhold 
26 
29 
33 
SECTION 7. Right to Adequate Academic Facilities. - 
(a) Students have the right to adequate academic facilities such as library, 
research, laboratory and information technology equipment; sports and 
44 
45 
46 
41 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
51 
fitness, recreation and other basic facilities. 
(b) Students have the right to live in safe, depcent accommodation with 
reasonable rent whether provided by the school, or the private sector. 
Letters and communications received by the school on behalf of the 
student shall be delivered promptly upon notification. 
(c) School authorities shall endeavor to provide free annual check-up to 
students and an on-campus infirmary clinic. 
They shall also be 
responsible that a campus is rendered adequate for students with 
inability and other disabilities. 
(d) No school shall charge the students with excessive fees in the use or 
availing such facilities or services. 
Every school shall provide the 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
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 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
51 
students with clear guidelines of any additional costs which may be 
incurred while studying before they enter a school. 
These shall be 
rigorously monitored by the student councillgovernment to prevent the 
charging of top-up fees. 
Studentslstudent organization have the right to access or use of campus 
facilities free from discrimination and subject only to regulations as to 
time and manner of governing the facility 
SECTION 8. Right to Student Employment. - The school shall encourage 
opportunities for student summer and part-time employment. It shall develop career 
counseling and guidance in order to enhance student capability to join the workforce 
during and after his school years. 
The Student Council shall support job and career development efforts 
creating among its student's organization and "Student Job Center" specifically for 
this purpose. 
Government agencies such as DOLE, DTI, DSWD, NYC, PSC, POC, shall 
likewise provide support by giving students priority placement, following the out-of- 
school youth in availing of summer employment in government and public works. 
Every student, working for a period not to exceed the minimum wage and 
other benefits provided by the labor code has the right to minimum wage if they are 
in the employment. 
Students have the right to protection in the workplace through health and 
safety conditions that are cognizant of their age and physical development. 
SECTION 9. Right fo Consulfafion, lnformafion and Parficipafion in Policy 
Making. - Students have the right to be informed and consulted in the formation of 
school and calculation politics. No rule, regulation or policy that directly or indirectly 
affect the students rights and welfare, including tuition fee increase, shall be 
implemented without prior consultations and information. 
There shall be a student representative in the Governing Board of the school. 
The ChairmanlPresident of the Student Council or any designated representative 
chosen by the heads of various local college student council shall be the 
representative. 
Student shall be represented in other policy-making bodies, which directly 
affect their welfare especially in curriculum review, student discipline and academic 
standards. The student council shall designate the representatives. 
The student councillgovernment through a majority vote of all its members 
shall have the to file an appeal on any decision of any policy making body 
subordinate to the Governing Board. Such appeal shall be filed with the Governing 
Board. 
The Student CouncillGovernment with the same requisite number of votes 
referred to in the previous paragraph may file a motion for reconsideration of any 
decision of the Governing Board. 
In case of any decision unfavorable to the students, the Student 
Councillgovernment may file an appeal with the Department of Education (DEPED), 
the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA), and the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), as the case may be. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
IO 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
All appeals and motions for reconsideration referred to in the previous 
paragraphs must be within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of notice of 
decision. 
SECTION I O .  
Creation of Student Ethics Committee. - Recognizing the 
values of student responsibility and self-regulation, as well as its own capacity to 
discipline in the aspect of students ethics, the school management shall refer to the 
Students Ethics Committee. Such committee shall be created for this purpose by 
the student government in consultation with the "Student Affairs Office." 
All questions pertaining to plagiarism, falsification, copying, cheating and 
other forms of unethical student conduct shall be referred to the Students Ethics 
Committee which may be recommended appropriate disciplinary action to the 
Student Disciplinary Board. 
SECTION 1 I, 
Due Process in Disciplinary Proceedings. - No student shall be 
suspended or summarily dismissed without proof or hearing. Witnesses may be 
called in the student's defense. Witnesses should be identified and reference 
should be made to the school rule or regulation violated and the possible severity of 
such charges. 
There shall be a Student Disciplinary Board in every school which shall hear 
and decide on disciplinary proceedings. It shall be composed of two (2) student 
members, two (2) faculty members and one (1) representative from the school 
administration. 
The Student Council shall endorse the student and faculty 
members. 
The student has the right to appeal adverse decisions by the Student 
Disciplinary Board to the Governing Board and ultimately to the appropriate 
education agencies. 
The Student Disciplinary Board, in coordination with the Dean of Student 
Affairs shall publish and post on a periodic basis acts which are deemed violative of 
school rules and regulations and the corresponding disciplinary sanctions. Provide 
that such rules and regulations do not violate the students' rights herein and under 
the Constitution. 
Provided, further, That the disciplinary sanctions shall be 
corrective rather than punitive. 
SECTION 12. Right to Protection and Privacy of Official Educational Records 
The student has the right to request the school to amend his or her records 
and, if that request is denied, the student has the right to a hearing to challenge the 
content of the students official education records, to insure that the records are not 
inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights to 
students. If the school declines to amend the record following the hearing, the 
student has the right to submit a statement for inclusion in the education record 
commenting on the information in the record and the schools decision not to amend 
it. Provided the right to a hearing does not include any right on the part of the 
student to challenge the appropriateness of the grade as determined by an 
instructor. 
Student's records shall not be released to persons other than the authorized 
school authorities without permissions of the student or through compliance with 
applicable laws. 
- A  student has the right to inspect and to be issued hidher official records. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
1 
S 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
2s 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
31 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
41 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
51 
Information about a student's views, beliefs and political associations 
acquired in the course of instruction, advising and counseling is confidential and 
shall not be disclosed to others unless by written consent of the student. 
The school shall not act in derogation of the rights of students to be secure in 
their possessions. 
Students shall be secure against invasion of privacy and 
unreasonable search and seizure. Except for the following instances, no search and 
seizure of a student shall be deemed valid: 
(a) searches made to a point of ingress by authorized personnel of the 
school; 
(b) searches and seizures of illegal article or articles falling in the plain view of 
duly authorized personnel; 
(c) searches and seizures of article that are illegal, discovered inadvertently 
by duly authorized personnel; 
(d) searches made when the student is about to commit, is committing or has 
committed a crime or a serious infraction of the school's rules and 
regulation 
(e) searches made with a valid search warrant 
Students shall have the right to study or practice without undue restriction or 
disruption. 
remain inviolable. 
The privacy of communication and correspondence among students shall 
SECTION 13. Final Provisions. - Within ninety (90) days, the DEPED, 
TESDA, and CHED, in consultation with the students and all concerned groups shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this 
Act. 
Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any student in 
the exercise of his or her right guaranteed by this Act, or who shall upon conviction, 
be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) nor more 
than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) 
year not more than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the 
discretion of the Court. 
If the offender is an educational institution, a juridical 
person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the President, Treasurer, Secretary or 
any person or officer responsible for the violation. If the offender is an alien, he 
shall, after the service of sentence, be deported immediately without further 
proceeding in the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID). If the offender is a 
public officer or employee, the Court shall, in audition to the penalties herein above 
provided, order his dismissal from the government service. 
In this regard, the DEPED, the CHED, and the TESDA shall be empowered 
to investigate into the violations of this Act or the rules and regulations issued 
thereunder and for this purpose shall have the power to issue summons, writs, 
orders, subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance of 
witnesses and the presented to the appropriate body. 
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
This Act shall take effect one month after its publication in any newspapers of 
Approved, 
general circulation