NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPP]NES )
Firsl Regular Sessior, 
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Represenlative Rufus B. RodriEuez
House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill was filed during the 18s Congress and was approved by the House of
Representatives.
ln order to transform the Mindanao State University into a world-class university, it is
necessary to amend their charter and introduce improvements to the same.
The existing charter of the MSU is currently 6 decades old and is already obsolete,
unresponsive and weak in relation to the University's urgent needs and requirements in view
of the prevailing domestic and global challenges it faces.
This bill seeks to address the weaknesses of the charter of the MSU and proposes
amendments that would strengthen the University and make it adaptable to today's highly
globalized world.
ln view of the foregoing consideration, immediate approval of this bill is highly
recommended.
RUF
EZ
July 1, 2022
6:13 pm
969


NTNETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL'PPINES
First Regu/ar Sessrbn
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez
House Bill No.
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines r,in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1, Short fifre. This Act shall be known as the "Reyised Mindanao State University
(MSU) System Chaief.
SEG. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall promote, foster, nurture and protect the rights
of all citizens to quality education. To this end, the state shall continually strengthen and
improve the university system of the Mindanao State University (MSU).
The MSU was established as a potent instrument to implement more effectively the
policy of the government on the education, integration, and development of the Filipino youth,
including Muslims and other non-Muslim indigenous peoples (lPs), into the national body
politic towards achieving peace, development, and national unity.
ln addition to its original mandate as a comprehensive university, the MSU is hereby
designated as the national peace university. As such, the MSU shall be recognized as an
institution of higher education for peace and development whose aim is to promote the
principles of understanding, mutual respecl, peaceful co-existence, democracy, and justice,
and cooperalion among the people in keeping with the noble aspirations embodied in the
Charter of the United Nations. lt shall also initiate, maintain, and promote programs and
policies on peace education, peace research, conflict resolution, multiculturalism, pluralism,
and diversity.
SEC. 3. Obj*tivas of the Mindanao State Univers@. As a national peace university, a
public and secular comprehensive universily system, and a community of scholars dedicated
to the search fortruth, knowledge, and peace, the MSU shall perform its unique and distinctive
leadership in higher education and national education development and shall continue
affirmative action for the benefit of lPs, Muslims and other disadvantaged sectors of Mindanao
through the following strategic aclivities:
a. Set standards and initiate innovations in teaching, research, and extension, as well
as in establishing and maintaining centers of excellence in peace studies,
engineering, pure and applied sciences, social sciences and philosophy, arts and
humanities, education, business, information and industrial technology, law,
medical and allied sciences, and in other disciplines:
b. Serve as a graduate university providing advanced studies and specialization for
scholars, scientists, writets, artists and professionals, especially those who serve
on the faculties of state and private colleges and universities;
c. Serve as a research university in the various fields of its expertise and
specialization by conducting basic and applied research and development,
promoting research in the various colleges and universities;
969


d. lerve as the leading educational institution in achieving peace in the country and
by initiating and implementing policies and programs tha't promote peace eduiation
and conflict resolution;
e. lrovide various forms of community, public and volunteer services, and scholarly
and technical assistance to the govemment, the private sector and civil society
while maintaining its standards of excellence, thereby exemplifying the essence of
a public service institution;
f. Provide scholarly and technical assistance to the Bangsariroro Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);
g. Provide opportunities for training and learning in progressive leadership,
responsible citizenship, and the development of democratic values, institutions and
practices;
h. Serve as a regional and global university that shall enhance the visibility of the
MSU through the production of high-impact researches and innovations, as well as
keep abreast with global trends by pursuing partnerships and collaborative
relationships with national and international universities, research institutions, and
industries, in cooperation with international and scientific unions, networks of
universities and scholarly and professional associations in the Asia-Pacific region
and around the world;
i. Provide democratic govemance in the MSU based on collegiality, representation,
accountability, transparency, gender mainstreaming and active participation of its
constituents, and promote the holding of fora for students, faculty, research,
extension and professional staff and alumni to discuss non-academic issues
affecting the MSU;
j. Advance the professional and economic rights and welfare of its academic and
non-academic personnel;
k. lnstitutionalize culturally appropriate and conflict sensitive development through
peace research, peace education and community service; and
l. Promote the concept of peace as a personal and communal goal through the
conduct of customized training-workshops for various groups and the production
of contextualized peace manuals and other literature, in partnership with local and
international partners.
SEC. 4. The Mindanao State University System. As a system, the MSU shall be composed
of the following constituent campuses: '1) MSU-Marawi; 2) MSU-lligan lnstitute of Technology
in lligan City; 3) MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography; 4) Msu'General
Santos City; 5) MSU-Sulu; 6) Msu-Maguindanao; 7) MSU-Misamis Orientali 8) MSU-
Zamboanga Sibugay; 9) MSU-Lanao National College of Arts and Trades (MSU-LNCAT) in
Marawi City; 10) MSU-Sultan Naga Dimaporo; and 11) MSU-Maigo School of Arts and Trades
(MSU-MSAT) and those that may be recognized and established by the Board of Regents,
hereinafter referred to as the Board, upon the recommendation of the MSU President.
The constituent campuses shall have substantial autonomy in the management oftheir
affairs as may be determined by the Board of Regents. However, constituent campuses who
are governed by their own Charters and are consequently enjoying fiscal autonomy shall retain
their rights and privileges as provided therein.
SEC. 5. Seat of Administration and Seal of the MSU. The seat of administration of the MSU
shall be in Marawi City. There shall be one common seal of the MSU, which shall feature a
figure of a Meranao awang (boat) in full sail in the head of the seal, and a Maguindanao lamp
with three rays emanating from its flame resting atop the Meranao awang with the number
"1961" written on it. The MSU colors shall be "sotra" or magenta and gold. ln addition, all
existing logos and seals of the different campuses and colleges shall be retained and placed
side by side with the common seal of the MSU: Provrded, That the Board may, in the future,
revise and adopt a new common seal after consulting all campuses.


SEC. 6, Acaderaic Freedom. The MSU has the right and responsibility to exercise academic
freedom.
SEC. 7. Academic Excellence. The MSU shall maintain and enhance its high academic
standards in the performance of its functions of instruction, research, and extension service.
SEC. 8. Social ResponsiDil&- fhe MSU is committed to serve the Filipino nation and
humanity. ln promoting the universal principles of peace and democracy through quality
education, its activities shall be geared towards achieving the aspirational goals of the Filipino
in general, and the lPs, Muslims and the marginalized sectors of Mindanao In particular, for
the achievement of social progress and transformation, cohesion, and national unity.
SEG. 9. Democrafic Access. No student shall be denied admission to the MSU by reason of
age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, r6ligious belief, political opinion, or physical disability. The
MSU shall take affirmative steps to enhance the access of disadvantaged students to its
programs and services.
The MSU recognizes the separation of church and State. lt shall guarantee religious
freedom and shall not discriminate on the basis of religion.
SEC, 10. lnstltutional Autonomy, The unique and strategic role of the MSU as a
comprehensive and national peace university shall be accorded the broadest appreciation,
cooperation and support of the agencies and instrumentalities of the government. ln this
regard, its autonomy and independence as an institution of learning shall be respecled at all
times. The MSU shall exclusively determine its teaching, research and extension thrusts,
plans, policies, programs and standards and on the basis of such determination, the MSU
shall recommend its annual budget to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and
Congress.
SEC. 11. lntegration of Education and Livelihood for Deserving Sfuderfs and their
Famili*. The National Government shall strengthen the MSU System by supporting the
integration of education and livelihood for its students and their families as simultaneous and
mutually+einforcing goals. lt shall provide the following:
a
Lodging for qualified students and professors in each of the MSU campuses;
b. 
lmplementation of a Senior High School Program in all MSU campuses for deserving
students of the BARMM, including the provision of a scholarship fund to enable high school
graduates to enter reputable Philippine universities;
c. 
Funding for the implementation of a program for continuing learning and professional
development of teaching faculty, including participation in foreign-funded scholarships;
d. 
A tutorial system for elementary and high school students to augment classroom-
based learning with the goal of reinforcing knowledge acquisition;
e. 
Scholarship grants for deserving and qualified college graduates who wish to pursue
pos! graduate studies;
f. 
Livelihood opportunities for deserving students and their families; and
S 
Funding support for the creation and maintenance ofa research and development (R&D)
- 
center to be managed by the MSU that shall promote basic and advance academic R&D,
strengthen the R&D capabilities of the MSU, identify and implement R&D development
priority areas according to the harmonized national R&D agenda; and enhance the
conduct of R&D in the country, especially in Mindanao, to spur countryside development.


SEC. 12. The Board of Regents. The goveming body of the MSU shall be the Board of
Regents, hereinafter refened to as the Board, which shall be chaired and co-chaired by the
Chairpetson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the President of the
MSU, respectively, and with the follorving as members:
a. Chairperson of the Commiftee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education of the
Senate;
b. Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of
Representatives;
c. Chairperson of the Committee on Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the
BARMM Parliament;
d. President of the federation of faculty associations of the MSU;
e. President of the federation of student councils of the MSU;
f. President of the federation of alumni associations of the MSU;
S Representative ofthe non-teaching/personnel association ofthe MSU;
h. one (1) Chancellor Regent representing all chancellors of the MSU system campuses,
as member, who shall be elected from among themselves and shall have a term of one
('1 ) year;
i. one (1) Regent who is a member of any of the indigenous cultural communities of
Mindanao and a graduate of MSU who is not presently employed in any of the
University's campuses, who shall be chosen from a short list of three (3) nominees by
a Board-designated search committee and elected by the Board for a term of two (2)
years;
j. one (1) Regent who is a prominent national educator, and who is not presently
employed in any of the University's c.tmpuses, who shall be chosen from a short list
of three (3) nominees by a Board-designated search committee and elected by the
Board for a term of h^/o (2) yearc;
k. One (1) prominent citizen from the private sector who is distinguished in a profession
or field of specialization
The Regent representing the lPs shall be chosen from a list of at least three (3)
nominees by a Board-designated search committee and elected by the Board for a term of
two (2) years: Provided, That the Regents holding office as members of the Board at the time
of the effectivity of this Act shall continue to serve until the expiration of their appointment.
The Board shall appoint one (1) prominent citizen who shall be selected from a list of
at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Lanao del Sur, as recommended by a
search committee constituted by the President of the MSU System, in consultation with the
Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the standards and
qualifications for the position set by the Board. The citizen appointed as board member shall
serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.
ln case of vacancy among appointive positions in the Board, the vacancy shall be filled
by the Board following guidelines set by it and the appointee shall hold office only for the
uhexpired portion of the term. ln the case of a sectoral Regent, membership in the Board shall
cease upon suspension, separation, or recall.
SEC. 13. Powers and Duties of the Board.ln addition tothe general powers of administration
and the powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation under existing laws, the
Board shall be vested with the following powers and duties:
(a) Define the thrusts of the MSU and adopt broad policy guidelines to ensure their
implementation;
(b) Lead with transparency, respect, understanding, service, and teamwork
in upholding the public trust;


(c) Approve the cunicula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by
the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided;
(d) Approve the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs, upon
recommendation of the University's Academic Council through the president of the
MSU, subject to the policies, standards, and guidelines of the CHED;
(e) Create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent campuses, ertension
campuses, colleges, institutes, and other academic and administrative units of the
MSU;
(f) Approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as recommended by the
Academic Council through the President of the MSU;
(g) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the MSU, faculty members and
other officials and employees in accordance with the compen$ation and position
classification system; to draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its
faculty and staff, subject to the review and approva! of the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM); to fix and adjust salaries and benefits of faculty members and
other employees; to determine the hours of service of faculty and staff, and such other
terms and conditions of employment as it may deem proper; to grant leaves of absence
under such regulations as it may promulgate, any other provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding; and to remove faculty and staff for cause as provided by law after due
investigation and proper hearing;
(h) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the Board may deem
proper to impose, after due consultation with the students concerned.
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated
by the MSU, shall constitute its special trust funds, and shall be deposited in any
authorized government depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall
form part of the same funds for the use of MSU.
Any provision of existing law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, any
income generated and collected by the MSU or by its subsidiaries, as well as from operation
of auxiliary services and land grants, shall be retained by the MSU and may be disbursed
by the Board for instruction, research, extension services or other programs and projects
of the MSU; for the professional growth and development, health, welfare, and other
benefits of the students, faculty members and administrative personnel; forthe acquisition,
construction maintenance and repair of needed instructional and auxiliary facilities,
equipment, buildings and other infrastructure; development of economic assets, and for
expenses necessary for the attainment of its purposes under its approved program of
expenditures.
lf, for reasons beyond its control, the MSU shall not be ableto pursue any project
or purpose for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved
program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said funds for any reasonable
purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the
objectives of the MSU, including utilization for the professional growth and other benefits of
students, faculty members and administrative personnel: Provided, That trust funds
created by lawfora specific purpose, otherthan special trust funds constituted herein shall
not be reprogrammed for other expenditures;
(i) Adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater
access of poor but deserving students, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10931,
otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act';
0) Establish professional chairs in the MSU and provide fellowships, scholarships and
grants, including athlelic grants, and to award the same to faculty, staff and students


having special evidence of merit, especially those who are poor and deserving
individuals;
(k) Receive all sums provided by law and by other legal sources, and appropriate them in
the.manner it deems appropriate and facilitative of the accomplishmeni of the objectives
of the MSU;
(l) Set policies on admission and graduation of students;
(m)Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of learning, statesmanship, or
eminence in the field of engineering, science, technology, education, public service or
in any field of specialization within the academic competency of the MSU, upon
recommendation of a committee created by the President of the MSU: provided, Thal
such degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift or other
valuable consideration;
(n) Establish research and extension centers to promote the development of the MSU;
(o) Authorize its faculty and staff to travel abroad to study, deliver papers, attend
conferences and disseminate research outcomes and findings: Provided, That the
felfowship, scholarship or grant is authorized by the Board: Provided further, That
research and other activities funded by the MSU shall include such fields or topics that
may likely generate products, services and new technology that may potentially be
adopted for commercial application, and whose financial and economic benefits may
be enjoyed by the faculty and staff who were involved in said research, subject to
existing rules and regulations;
(s) Receive in trust, such legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of
all kinds and administer and dispose of the same, when necessary, for the benefit of
the MSU and subject to the limitations, discretion and instructions of the donor, if any;
(t) Extend the term of the President of the MSU beyond the age of retirement, but not
beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines, qualifications and standards
set by the Board and in accordance with existing Civil Service rules and regulations:
Provided, That the President's performance has been rated by the Board as
outstanding and a unanimous recommendation for such extension has been decided
upon by the search committee;
(u) Elect the President of the MSU following a process of democratic consultation with the
university community based on standards and guidelines set by the Board;
(p) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate
institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint experts
or specialists as consultants, parttime, visiting or exchange professors, scholars, and
researchers, as the case may be;
(q) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units
(LGUs), as well as public, private, local or foreign institution and agencies for the
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the MSU;
(r) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry for the profitable management of
the economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and
strengthening of the MSU, and for the professional growth and development, health,
welfare, and other benefits of the students, faculty members and administrative
personnel;


(v) Extend, with their consent, the tenure of faculty members of the MSU beyond the
compulsory retirement age, on recommendation of the units, upon endorsement of the
President of the MSU, and in accordance with existing Civil Service rules and
regulations whenever their services are especially needed: provided, however, Thal no
extension of tenure shall be made beyond the age of seventy (70);
(w) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other
facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of reil property, iirctuiing the necessary
supplies, materials and equipment;
(x) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the president or other officials of the MSU, as
it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the MSU;
(y) Prescribe rules for its own government and discipline of the faculty and other personnel
and to enact for the governance of the MSU such general policies, rules and
regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with its purposes;
(z) \&here most advantageous to the MSU, privatize the management of nonacademic
services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance, and such
other similar activities;
(aa) Recommend the creation of additional plantilla items to the DBM in line with the
functions of the University and in consultation with the Civil Service Commission (CSC),
and consistent with the scientific career system; and
(bb) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and
functions of the MSU.
SEC. 14, Meetings and Quorum. The Board shall regularly convene once every three (3)
months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting whenever
necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to the
conduct of said meeting.
A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of all its members holding office at the
time of the meeting. Provided, however, That the Chairperson of the Board or the President
of the MSU is among those present in the meeting.
ln case the Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED
Commissioner duly designated by Ghairperson of the CHED as representative to the meeting,
shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, That during the
meeting, the President of the MSU, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer:
Provided fufther, That this provision notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby
authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner to act as the presiding officer in the absence
of the Chairperson of the Board.
ln case the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational
Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education are not able to attend
a Board meeting, they may designate their respective representatives who shall have the
same rights and responsibilities as the regular members of the Board.
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary, but shall be entitled to
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, eitherfortheir attendance to the
meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by resolutions
of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.
SEC. 15. The University President. - The MSU shall be headed by a President who shall
be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualifications and standards, and based
on the recommendation of a search committee duly constituted for the purpose of selecting


SEC. 16. Powers and Duties of the MSU Pr*ident, The administration of the MSU shall be
vested in the President, who shall exercise the following powers and functions:
a. Carry out the general policies laid down by the Board;
b. Exercise general supervision over the MSU, including investments and financial
undertakings, all officers, members of the teaching stafi, and employees of the MSU
System;
c. Exercise general supervision over extra-cunicular activities of students and issue
adequate rules for the organization and conduct of legitimate affairs of student
organizations;
d. Authorize the transfer of faculty and employees from one department or unit of the
MSU to anotherwith the written consent of the faculty member or employee concerned:
Provided, That: 1) there is no demotion in rank and salary; 2) it is with the consent of
the head ofthe unit; and 3) it is in the interest of the service;
e. Serve as the official center of communication among the faculty, employees, and
students of the MSU, on the one hand, and the Board, on the other hand;
f. Prepare an annual report to the Board on the work and accomplishments of the
previous year and the needs for the cunent year;
g. Present to the Board the proposed plans, programs and annual budget of the MSU,
including the budgetary estimates on income and expenditures;
h. Execute and sign, on behalf of the MSU, all contracts, deeds and other instruments
necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the MSU, unless otherwise therein
provided;
i. Exercise general responsibility over the enforcement of discipline and for the
maintenance of satisfactory academic standards in all its units;
j. Modify or disapprove any action or resolution of any college, faculty or administrative
body, if the larger interest of the MSU so requires. The decision of the MSU President
to modifi/ or disapprove such act or resolution shall be communicated in writing to the
body immediately affected, and the reasons for the action shall be stated therein.
Thereafter, the MSU President shall accordingly inform the Board, which may take any
action it may deem appropriate in connection therewith; and
k. Exercise such other powers as elsewhere provided in this Act, or as authorized by the
Baard: Provided, That the President may delegate in writing any of the above stated
functions to the chancellors, campus directors, or to any officer in the MSU.
the President. The MSU President shall render full-time service, serve a term of six (6) years,
and may be reappointed to another term.
Wrthin six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent
President of the MSU, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency.
The powers and duties of the President of the MSU, in addition to those specifically
provided for in this Act, shall include those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of
similar state universities and colleges and those delegated by the Board.
The salary of the President of the MSU shall be in accordance with Republic Act No.
11466, othenrvise known as the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019", and such other laws
amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be comparable to that being
received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions.
ln case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory
retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the President to perform the
functions of the office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge of the MSU, pending
the appolntment of a new President: Provided, That the Officer-in-Charge shall serve only
during the unexpired portion of the term.
The President of the MSU shall be assisted by an Executive Vice President, a Vice
President for Academic Affairs, a Vice President for Administration and Finance, Vice
President for Planning and Development, and a Vice President for Research and Extension,
who shall all be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the
MSU.


SEC. '17. The Secretary of the lJniversity and of the Board. fhe Board shall appoint a
Secretary who shall serve as such for both the Board and the MSU, and keep all records and
proceedings of the Board. The Secretary of the MSU shall serve upon each member of the
Board the appropriate notlee of board meetings.
SEC. {8. The University Council and Constituent Campus Councils. There shall be in
each constituent campus a University Council consisting of the Chancellor as Chairperson,
and all faculty members in the constituent campus holding the rank of assistant professor and
higher as members-
SEC. 19. The University Courrcir. The University Council shall be the highest academic body
of the MSU and shall exercise the following powers:
a. Prescribe the academic programs, including their institution, revision, abolition, or
merger, subject to the approval of the Board on recommendation by the President of
the MSU:
b. Recommend to the Board, through the MSU President, the graduation of students
and grant of honors;
c. Determine the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation, and the
grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide requirements;
d. Undertake a periodic review of academic courses, programs, standards, thrusts, and
policies; and
e. Adopt intemal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 20. The Chancellor of a Constifuent Campus. The Administration of each constituent
campus is vested in the Chancellor or the Superintendent, as the case may be, insofar as
authorized by the Board and the President of the University. The Chancellor of the constituent
campus shall be elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of the University,
following a process of consultation with the faculty, staff, alumni, parents, students,
businesses, foundations, church, partners, and others of the constituent campus based on
standards and guidelines set by the Board. The Chancellor shall report to the President of the
University, and shall perform the duties and functions elsewhere stated in this Act, and all the
usual, necessary and related functions of the Office of the Chancellor, subjecl to the policies
and rules prescribed by the Board. The Board shall determine the term and compensation of
the Chancellor.
ln case of vacancy in the office of the Chancellor by reason of death, compulsory
retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the Chancellor to perform the
functions of the office, the president shall designate an officer-in-charge within sixty (60)
calendar days from the date of vacancy, until a chancellor shall have been elected and
qualified. The successor or the officer-in-charge shall serve only the unexpired portion of the
term.
SEC. 21. The Faculty. The teaching staff of each college shall constitute its faculty. The
faculty of a college shall be presided over by a Dean. The Dean shall be elected by the Board
upon nomination of the President of the University and recommendation of the Chancellor of
the constituent university, following a process of consultation with the constituents of the
college based on standards and guidelines set by the Board.
lf a vacancy occurs in the office of the dean before the completion of the Dean's term
of office, the Chancellor shall appoint an acting Dean while a search process is in progress.
ln no case shall the search and election of the next Dean be longer than sixty (60) calendar
days from the date when the vacancy occurs.
SEC. 22. Reguisites of Appointment of Faculty and Staff. No political belief, gender
preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation
shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the MSU: Provided, Thal


said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the
Board'. Provided, further That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular
church or religious sect: Provrded, finally, Thal faculty members may be exempted from the
CSC examinations provided that they shall comply with other Civil Service requirements.
SEC. 23. Student Councils. There shall be establlshed a College Student Councit in every
college or degreegranting unit; a University Student Council for every constituent campus;
and a Federation of University Student Councils for the MSU.
The student councils shall serve as the primary student bodies that shall advance the
interests, welfare, and aspirations of the students. lt shall have the power to adopt internal
rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.
SEG. 24. R*earch, Development and Ertension (RDE) Centers. Each campus must have
at least one (1) RDE center with an annual appropriated budget of at least Five million pesos
(PhP5,000,000.00). For the campus in MSU, each college shall have at least one (1) RDE
center with an annual appropriated budget of at least Five million pesos (PhP5,000,000.00).
Currently recognized RDE centers shall be carried over as established RDE centers.
Thereafter, the establishment of new RDE centers must be approved by the Board. A new
RDE center may be created upon the recommendation of the Office of the Vice-President for
RDE and upon the endorsement of the President. Each of the RDE centers shall be headed
by a director who shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the MSU
President and the Vice-President for RDE, and the respective Chancellors where the RDE
center is hosted. The RDE Directors shall have a term of two (2) years, subject to
reappointment to a final term. The RDE Directors must have proper alignment on the
foundational elements of research from problem statement, purpose of the research, the
questions, up to hypotheses to ensure a focused, systematic approach in project research to
the field of the RDE center. The Office of the Mce-President for RDE shall monitor and
evaluate the operations and performance of the RDE centers in cooperation with the
respective chancellors. The respective RDE Direclors shall prepare and manage the budget
of the RDE centers based on the recommendation of their respective chancellors. The said
budget shall be approved by the O,ffice of the Vice-President for RDE and the MSU President.
SEC. 25. Land Granls and Other Real Properlies. The State shall provide a subsidy for
the MSU in the form of a lump sum amount, through general appropriations and other financial
benefits, and in kind, through land grants, donations and use of other real properties. All
incomes derived trom the land grants and other real properties shall be used by the MSU, as
may be decided by the Board.
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the MSU and all its
campuses are hereby declared the property of the MSU, and shall be titled under its name:
Provided, That should the MSU cease to exist or be abolished or should such aforementioned
parcels of land be no longer needed by the MSU, the same shall revert to the concerned LGU
or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.
SEC. 26. Duty and Tax Exemptions. The importation by the MSU of economic, technical,
and cultural books or publications, which are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific,
philosophical, historical, or cultural purposes shall, upon certification by the CHED, be exempt
from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise
known as the 'Customs Modernization and Tariff Act".
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used
actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes by the MSU, shall be exempt ftom
donoCs tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income for
purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of
the National lnternal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
sEc. 27. Audlting of Accounts. The commission on Audit shall audit all accounts and
disbursements of the MSU.


SEC. 28. Fiscal Autonomy of lhe Constituent Campuses. No portion of the funds
appropriated or allocated for a constituent campus shall be disbursed by the administration of
the MSU System and allother incomes and earnings of the constituent campuses shall remain
with the concerned constituent campuses.
SEC. 29. Rul* of Construc{ion. No statutory or other issuances shall diminish the powers,
rights, privileges, and benefits accorded to the MSU under this Act or enjoyed at present by
the MSU under other issuances not othenvise modified or repealed by this Act, unless
subsequent legislation expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or modification. ln case
of doubt in the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Charter, the same shall be resolved
in favor of the academic freedom and fiscal autonomy of the MSU.
SEC. 30. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the cunent year's appropriations of the MSU System. Thereafter,
such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 3't. Transitory Provision. The MSU shall, in addition to its laboratory high schools,
continue to operate its feeder community high schools located in conflict-affected areas
pursuant to its original mandate.
SEC. 32. lmplementing Rules and Regulat ons. Wthin sixty (60) days after the approval of
this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue rules and regulations to fully
implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 33. Repealing Clause, Republic Act No. 1387, entitled "An Acl Providing for the
Establishment of the University of Mindanao in Dansalan Gity and Authorizing the
Appropriation of Funds Therefo/', as amended by Republic Act No. 1893, entitled "An Act
lnserting a Preamble in Republic Act Numbered Thirteen Hundred and Eighty-Seven, entitled
"An Act Providing for the Establishment of the University of Mindanao in Dansalan City and
Authorizing the Appropriation of Funds Therefo/', and Amending Sections Two, Four and
Sixteen of the Same and for Other Purposes', Republic Act No. 3868, entitled "An Ac{ to
Amend Certain Provisions of Republic Act Numbered Thirteen Hundred and Eighty-Seven, as
amended by Republic Act Numbered Eighteen Hundred Ninety-Three, "Relating to the
Composition and Powers of the Board of Regents of the Mindanao State University, and for
Other Purposes", Republic Act No. 5363, entitled "An Act Changing the Name of the Northern
Mindanao lnslitute of Technology to lligan lnstitute of Technology, lntegrating it as a Unit of
the Mindanao State University, and for Other Purposes', Republic Act No. 1567, entitled "An
Act Converting the Lanao Provincial High School Located in the City of Dansalan, lnto a
National School of Arts and Trades to be Known as the Lanao School of Arts and Trades, and
Authorizing the Appropriation of Funds for the Purpose', Republic Act No. 4279, entitled "An
Act to Convert the Maigo Trade School in the Municipality of Maigo, Province of Lanao del
Norte, lnto a Regional School of Arts and Trades of Secondary and Collegiate Levels, and to
Authorize the Appropriation of Funds Therefof, Republic Act No. 5507, entitled 'An Act
Converting Caromatan Agricultural School in the Municipality of Caromatan, Province of
Lanao del Norte lnto a College to be Known as Lanao Del Norte Agricultural College, and
Authorizing the Appropriation of Funds Therefo/', Republic Act No. 6060, entitled "An Act to
Establish the Sulu College of Technology and Oceanography as a Unit of the Mindanao State
University, Defining its Objectives, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes',
and all other laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.


SEC. 3tl. Separability Clause. lf, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected are in full force and
effect-
SEC. 35. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,