ARTICLE XIV

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORTS

EDUCATION

Section 1. 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.

Section 2. The State shall:

1. Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people and society;
2. Establish and maintain, a system of free public education in the elementary and high school
levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary
education is compulsory for all children of school age;
3. Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies,
and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private
schools, especially to the under-privileged;
4. Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning,
independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community
needs; and
5. Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational
efficiency, and other skills.

Section 3.

1. All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the curricula.
2. They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human
rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country,
teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop
moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden
scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.
3. At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be allowed to be
taught to their children or wards in public elementary and high schools within the regular
class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of the religion
to which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to the Government.

Section 4.

1. The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the
educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all
educational institutions.
2. Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups and mission
boards, shall be owned solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations or associations at
least sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by such citizens. The Congress may,
however, require increased Filipino equity participation in all educational institutions. The
control and administration of educational institutions shall be vested in citizens of the
Philippines.
 No educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens and no group of aliens
shall comprise more than one-third of the enrollment in any school. The provisions of this sub
section shall not apply to schools established for foreign diplomatic personnel and their
dependents and, unless otherwise provided by law, for other foreign temporary residents.

3. All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used actually,
directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
Upon the dissolution or cessation of the corporate existence of such institutions, their assets
shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law.

Proprietary educational institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may likewise be

entitled to such exemptions, subject to the limitations provided by law, including restrictions
on dividends and provisions for reinvestment.

4. Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants, endowments, donations, or contributions

used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from tax.

Section 5.

1. the State shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and conditions and shall
encourage local planning in the development of educational policies and programs.
2. Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.
3. Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject to fair, reasonable,
and equitable admission and academic requirements.
4. The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. Non-teaching
academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the State.
5. The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching
will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate
remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

LANGUAGE

Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further
developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.

Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take
steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as
language of instruction in the educational system.

Section 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines
are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.

The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary
media of instruction therein.

Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis.

Section 8. This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English and shall be translated into
major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.
Section 9. The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of
representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, and promote
researches for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other languages.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Section 10. Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The State
shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to
science and technology education, training, and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate,
and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country's
productive systems and national life.

Section 11. The Congress may provide for incentives, including tax deductions, to encourage
private participation in programs of basic and applied scientific research. Scholarships, grants-in-aid,
or other forms of incentives shall be provided to deserving science students, researchers, scientists,
inventors, technologists, and specially gifted citizens.

Section 12. The State shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of technology from all
sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of private groups, local
governments, and community-based organizations in the generation and utilization of science and
technology.

Section 13. The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists,
and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the
people, for such period as may be provided by law.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Section 14. The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino
national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual
expression.

Section 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve,
promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic
creations.

Section 16. All the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation
and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition.

Section 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural
communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider
these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

Section 18.

1. The State shall ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the educational
system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants and other incentives, and
community cultural centers, and other public venues.
2. The State shall encourage and support researches and studies on the arts and culture.

SPORTS
Section 19.

1. The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster
self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.
2. All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in
cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 4670 June 18, 1966

THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this Act to promote and
improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working
conditions, their terms of employment and career prospects in order that they may compare
favorably with existing opportunities in other walks of life, attract and retain in the teaching
profession more people with the proper qualifications, it being recognized that advance in education
depends on the qualifications and ability of the teaching staff and that education is an essential
factor in the economic growth of the nation as a productive investment of vital importance.

Section 2. Title Definition. This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for Public School Teachers"
and shall apply to all public school teachers except those in the professorial staff of state colleges
and universities.

As used in this Act, the term "teacher" shall mean all persons engaged in classroom teaching, in any
level of instruction, on full-time basis, including guidance counselors, school librarians, industrial arts
or vocational instructors, and all other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative
functions in all schools, colleges and universities operated by the Government or its political
subdivisions; but shall not include school nurses, school physicians, school dentists, and other
school employees.

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9293 April 21, 2004

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED

SEVENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX (R. A. NO. 7836), OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF
1994"

Republic Act No. 6713 February 20, 1989

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC

OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, TO UPHOLD THE TIME-HONORED PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC
OFFICE BEING A PUBLIC TRUST, GRANTING INCENTIVES AND REWARDS FOR
EXEMPLARY SERVICE, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees. - (A) Every public official and
employee shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and
execution of official duties:
(a) Commitment to public interest. - Public officials and employees shall always
uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. All government
resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used
efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in
public funds and revenues.

(b) Professionalism. - Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge
their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and
skill. They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
They shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or
peddlers of undue patronage.

(c) Justness and sincerity. - Public officials and employees shall remain true to the
people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not
discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall
at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to
law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public
interest. They shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to
their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to
appointments of such relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as
members of their personal staff whose terms are coterminous with theirs.

(d) Political neutrality. - Public officials and employees shall provide service to
everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or
preference.

(e) Responsiveness to the public. - Public officials and employees shall extend
prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by
law or when required by the public interest, public officials and employees shall
provide information of their policies and procedures in clear and understandable
language, ensure openness of information, public consultations and hearings
whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules
and procedures, avoid red tape and develop an understanding and appreciation of
the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed
rural and urban areas.

(f) Nationalism and patriotism. - Public officials and employees shall at all times be
loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced
goods, resources and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country
and people. They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty
against foreign intrusion.

(g) Commitment to democracy. - Public officials and employees shall commit

themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public
accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the
military. They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country
above loyalty to persons or party.

(h) Simple living. - Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest
lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant
or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.
 (B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote (1) observance
of these standards including the dissemination of information programs and workshops
authorizing merit increases beyond regular progression steps, to a limited number of
employees recognized by their office colleagues to be outstanding in their observance of
ethical standards; and (2) continuing research and experimentation on measures which
provide positive motivation to public officials and employees in raising the general level of
observance of these standards.

Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. - In addition to acts and omissions of public officials
and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute
prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be
unlawful:

(a) Financial and material interest. - Public officials and employees shall not, directly or
indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of
their office.

(b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto. - Public officials and employees
during their incumbency shall not:

(1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant,

counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated,
supervised or licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law;

(2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the
Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with
their official functions; or

(3) Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a
regular or pending official transaction with their office.

These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation,
retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2)
above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with any
matter before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-year prohibition shall
likewise apply.

(c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. - Public officials and employees
shall not use or divulge, confidential or classified information officially known to them by
reason of their office and not made available to the public, either:

(1) To further their private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or

(2) To prejudice the public interest.

(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and employees shall not solicit or
accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of
monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any
operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of
their office.
 As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress consents to:

(i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of a gift of nominal
value tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy;

(ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the nature of a

scholarship or fellowship grant or medical treatment; or

(iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel grants or expenses for
travel taking place entirely outside the Philippine (such as allowances, transportation,
food, and lodging) of more than nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or
consistent with the interests of the Philippines, and permitted by the head of office,
branch or agency to which he belongs.

The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any educational, scientific or
cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements.

BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 232

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF AN INTEGRATED

SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

Section 8. Rights of Parents - In addition to other rights under existing laws, all parents who have
children enrolled in a school have the following rights:

1. The right to organize by themselves and/or with teachers for the purpose of providing a
forum for the discussion of matters relating to the total school program, and for ensuring the
full cooperation of parents and teachers in the formulation and efficient implementation of
such programs.

2. The right to access to any official record directly relating to the children who are under
their parental responsibility.

Section 9. Right of Students in School - In addition to other rights, and subject to the limitation
prescribed by law and regulations, and student and pupils in all schools shall enjoy the following
rights:

1. The right to receive, primarily through competent instruction, relevant quality education in
line with national goals and conducive to their full development as person with human
dignity.

2. The right to freely chose their field of study subject to existing curricula and to continue
their course therein up to graduation, except in cases of academic deficiency, or violation of
disciplinary regulations.

3. The right to school guidance and counseling services for decisions and selecting the
alternatives in fields of work suited to his potentialities.
 4. The right of access to his own school records, the confidentiality of which the school shall
maintain and preserve.

5. The right to the issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades,
transfer credentials and other similar documents within thirty days from request.

6. The right to publish a student newspaper and similar publications, as well as the right to
invite resource persons during assemblies, symposia and other activities of similar nature.

7. The right to free expression of opinions and suggestions, and to effective channels of
communication with appropriate academic channels and administrative bodies of the school
or institution.

8. The right to form, establish, join and participate in organizations and societies recognized
by the school to foster their intellectual, cultural, spiritual and physical growth and
development, or to form, establish, join and maintain organizations and societies for
purposes not contrary to law.

9. The right to be free from involuntary contributions, except those approved by their own he
organizations or societies.

Section 10. Rights of all School Personnel - In addition to other rights provided for by law, the
following rights shall be enjoyed by all school personnel:

1. The right to free expression of opinion and suggestions, and to effective channels of
communication with appropriate academic and administrative bodies of the school or
institution.

2. The right to be provided with free legal service by the appropriate government office in the
case of public school personnel, and through the school authorities concerned in the case of
private school personnel, when charged in an administrative, civil and/or criminal
proceedings by parties other than the school or regulatory authorities concerned for actions
committed directly in the lawful discharge of professional duties and/or in defense of school
policies.

3. The right to establish, join and maintain labor organizations and/or professional and self-
regulating organizations of their choice to promote their welfare and defend their interests.

4. The right to be free from involuntary contributions except those imposed by their own
organizations.

Section 11. Special Rights and/or Privileges of Teaching or Academic Staff - Further to the rights
mentioned in the preceding Section, every member of the teaching or academic staff shall enjoy the
following rights and/or privileges:

1. The right to be free from compulsory assignments not related to their duties as defined in
their appointments or employment contracts, unless compensated therefor, conformably to
existing law.

2. The right to intellectual property consistent with applicable laws.

 3. Teachers shall be deemed persons in authority when in the discharge of lawful duties and
responsibilities, and shall, therefore, be accorded due respect and protection.

4. Teachers shall be accorded the opportunity to choose alternative career lines either in
school administration, in classroom teaching, or others, for purposes of career advancement.

Section 12. Special Rights of School Administration - School administrators shall, in accordance
with existing laws, regulations and policies of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, be
accorded sufficient administrative discretion necessary for the efficient and effective performance of
their functions.

School administrators shall be deemed persons in authority while in the discharge of lawful duties
and responsibilities, and shall therefore be accorded due respect and protection.

Section 13. Rights of Schools - In addition to other rights provided for by law, schools shall enjoy the
following:

1. The right of their governing boards or lawful authorities to provide for the proper
governance of the school and to adopt and enforce administrative or management systems.

2. The right for institutions of higher learning to determine on academic grounds who shall be
admitted to study, who may teach, and what shall be subjects of the study and research.

CHAPTER 3
Duties and Obligations

Section 14. Duties of Parents. - In addition to those provided for under existing laws, all parents
shall have the following duties and obligations:

1. Parents, individually or collectively, through the school systems, shall help carry out the
educational objectives in accordance with national goals.

2. Parents shall be obliged to enable their children to obtain elementary education and shall
strive to enable them to obtain secondary and higher education in the pursuance of the right
formation of the youth.

3. Parents shall cooperate with the school in the implementation of the school program
curricular and co-curricular.

Section 15. Duties and Responsibilities of Students - In addition to those provided for under existing
laws, every student shall:

1. Exert his utmost to develop his potentialities for service, particularly by undergoing an
education suited to his abilities, in order that he may become an asset to his family and to
society.

2. Uphold the academic integrity of the school, endeavor to achieve academic excellence
and abide by the rules and regulations governing his academic responsibilities and moral
integrity.
 3. Promote and maintain the peace and tranquility of the school by observing the rules and
discipline, and by exerting efforts to attain harmonious relationships with fellow students, the
teaching and academic staff and other school personnel.

4. Participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of the general welfare, particularly
in the social, economic and cultural development of his community and in the attainment of a
just, compassionate and orderly society.

5. Exercise his rights responsibly in the knowledge that he is answerable for any
infringement or violation of the public welfare and of the rights of others.

Section 16. Teacher's Obligations - Every teacher shall:

1. Perform his duties to the school by discharging his responsibilities in accordance with the
philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school.

2. Be accountable for the efficient and effective attainment of specified learning objectives in
pursuance of national development goals within the limits of available school resources.

3. Render regular reports on performance of each student and to the latter and the latter's
parents and guardians with specific suggestions for improvement.

4. Assume the responsibility to maintain and sustain his professional growth and
advancement and maintain professionalism in his behavior at all times.

5. Refrain from making deductions in students' scholastic rating for acts that are clearly not
manifestations of poor scholarship.

6. Participate as an agent of constructive social, economic, moral, intellectual, cultural and

political change in his school and the community within the context of national policies.

Section 17. School Administrators' Obligations - Every school administrator shall:

1. Perform his duties to the school by discharging his responsibilities in accordance with the
philosophy, goals and objectives of the school.

2. Be accountable for the efficient and effective administration and management of the
school.

3. Develop and maintain a healthy school atmosphere conducive to the promotion and
preservation of academic freedom and effective teaching and learning, and to harmonious
and progressive school-personnel relationship.

4. Assume and maintain professional behavior in his work and in dealing with students,
teachers, academic non-teaching personnel, administrative staff, and parents or guardians.

5. Render adequate reports to teachers, academic non-teaching personnel and non-

academic staff on their actual performance in relation to their expected performance and
counsel them on ways of improving the same.
 6. Observe due process, fairness, promptness, privacy, constructiveness and consistency in
disciplining his teachers and other personnel.

7. Maintain adequate records and submit required reports to the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports.

Section 18. Obligations of Academic Non-Teaching Personnel - Academic non-teaching personnel

shall:

1. Improve himself professionally be keeping abreast of the latest trends and techniques in
his profession.

2. Assume, promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to service and learning.

3. Promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to service and learning.

Section 29. Voluntary Accreditation - The Ministry shall encourage programs of voluntary
accreditation for institution which desire to meet standards of quality over and above minimum
required for State recognition.

COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 578

COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 578 - AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED

FIFTY-TWO OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE, SO AS TO INCLUDE TEACHERS,
PROFESSORS, AND PERSONS CHARGED WITH THE SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC
OR DULY RECOGNIZED PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES,
WITHIN THE TERM "PERSONS IN AUTHORITY"

Republic Act No. 6728 June 10, 1989

Amended by RA 8545

AN ACT PROVIDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN

PRIVATE EDUCATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Section 4. Forms of Assistance. - Assistance to private education shall consist of:

(1) Tuition fee supplements for students in private high schools, including students in
vocational and technical courses;

(2) High School Textbook Assistance Fund: Provided, That students in public schools shall
be provided a comprehensive textbook program under the Secondary Education
Development Program (SEDP);

(3) Expansion of the existing Educational Service Contracting (ESC) Scheme;

 (4) The voucher system of the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program
(PESFA);

(5) Scholarship grants to students graduating as valedictorians and salutatorians from

secondary schools;

(6) Tuition fee supplements to students in private colleges and universities;

(7) Education Loan Fund; and

(8) College Faculty Development Fund.

Section 5. Tuition Fee Supplement for Students in Private High School. - (1) Financial
assistance for tuition for students in private high schools shall be provided by the government
through a voucher system in the following manner:

(a) For students enrolled in schools charging less than one thousand five hundred pesos
(P1,500) per year in tuition and other fees during school year 1988-1989 or such amount in
subsequent years as may be determined from time to time by the State Assistance Council:
The Government shall provide them with a voucher equal to two hundred ninety pesos
(P290.00): Provided, That the student pays in the 1989-1990 school year, tuition and other
fees equal to the tuition and other fees paid during the preceding academic year: Provided,
further, That the Government shall reimburse the vouchers from the schools concerned
within sixty (60) days from the close of the registration period: Provided, furthermore, That
the student's family resides in the same city or province in which the high school is located
unless the student has been enrolled in that school during the previous academic year.

(b) For students enrolled in schools charging above one thousand five hundred pesos
(P1,500) per year in tuition and other fees during the school year 1988-1989 or such amount
in subsequent years as may be determined from time to time by the State Assistance
Council, no assistance for tuition fees shall be granted by the Government: Provided,
however, That the schools concerned may raise their tuition fees subject to Section 10
hereof.

(2) Assistance under paragraph (1), subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall be granted and tuition fees
under subparagraph (c) may be increased, on the condition that seventy percent (70%) of the
amount subsidized allotted for tuition fee or of the tuition fee increases shall go to the payment of
salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel except
administrators who are principal stockholders of the school, and may be used to cover increases as
provided for in the collective bargaining agreements existing or in force at the time when this Act is
approved and made effective: Provided, That government subsidies are not used directly for salaries
of teachers of non-secular subjects. At least twenty percent (20%) shall go to the improvement or
modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories, gymnasia and similar facilities and to
the payment of other costs of operation. For this purpose, school shall maintain a separate record of
accounts for all assistance received from the government, any tuition fee increase, and the detailed
disposition and use thereof, which record shall be made available for periodic inspection as may be
determined by the State Assistance Council, during business hours, by the faculty, the non-teaching
personnel, students of the school concerned, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and
other concerned government agencies.

Section 7. Expansion of the Existing Educational Service Contracting (ESC) Scheme. - (a) The
Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) shall continue to enter into contracts with
private schools whereby the Government shall shoulder the tuition and other fees of excess students
in public high schools who shall enroll under this program. It shall settle all outstanding obligations
before contracting new obligations.

(b) The Department shall also enter into contract with private schools in communities where there
are no public high schools, in which case the Department shall shoulder the tuition and other fees of
students who shall enroll in said private schools. The number of such schools assisted by the
program will be increased every year such that all schools in this category will be assisted within four
(4) years from the promulgation of this Act.

(c) The amount of assistance to be given by the Government under this Section shall not exceed
that determined as the per student cost in public high schools.

(d) The Department shall fully pay the subsidized amount to participating schools not later than the
end of the schoolyear, unless the delay incurred is attributable to the participating schools.

(e) The amount of assistance shall be allocated and distributed among the fourteen (14) regions in
proportion to the total population as well as the high school age population for the first school year:
Provided, That starting school year 1990, an equalization scheme shall be implemented by the State
Assistance Council.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8545

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6728, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT
PROVIDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN
PRIVATE EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,”
ESTABLISHING A FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBSIDIZING SALARIES OF
PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

“SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is a declared policy of the State in conformity with the
mandate of the Constitution, to promote and make quality education accessible to all Filipino
citizens. The State also hereby recognizes the complementary roles of public and private
educational institutions in the educational system and the invaluable contribution that the private
schools have made and will make to education. For these purposes, the State shall provide the
mechanisms to improve quality in private education by maximizing the use of existing resources
of private education, recognizing in the process the government’s responsibility to provide basic
elementary and secondary education, post-secondary vocational and technical education and
higher education as having priority over its other functions.

“Elementary education is the first six (6) years of basic education, excluding pre-school and
grade seven, the completion of which is attested by a certificate issued by or with permission of
the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Secondary education is the next four (4) years
of basic education, the completion of which is attested by a high school diploma issued by or
with permission of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
“Post-secondary education may be education and training in non-degree vocational and technical
courses offered in post-secondary vocational and technical institutions or education in degree
courses offered by higher educational institutions, the completion of which are attested by a
certificate or diploma issued by or with permission of the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
respectively.

“SEC. 4. Forms of Assistance. — Assistance to private education shall consist of assistance to

students and assistance to teachers.

“The following are forms of assistance to students in private education:

“(1) Tuition fee supplements for students in private high schools, including students in
vocational and technical courses;

“(2) High School Textbook Assistance Fund: Provided, That the textbook assistance per student
in private high schools shall be determined by the council and shall not exceed what students in
public high schools are provided on a per student basis under a comprehensive textbook program
of the Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP): Provided, further, That the textbook
assistance shall be granted only to beneficiaries of tuition fee supplements and educational
service contracting scheme provided in this Act;

“(3) Expansion of the existing Educational Service Contracting (ESC) Scheme;

“(4) The voucher system of the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program
(PESFA);

“(5) Scholarship grants to students graduating as valedictorians and salutatorians from secondary
schools;

“(6) Tuition fee supplements to students in private colleges and universities; and

“(7) Education Loan Fund.

“The following are forms of assistance to teachers and faculty in private education:

“(1) In-service training fund for teachers in private high schools; and

“(2) College Faculty Development Fund.

“SEC. 10. Education Loan Fund. — (a) ‘Study Now, Pay Later Plan.’ There is hereby created a
special fund to be known as the Students’ Loan Fund to be administered by the CHED and the
TESDA or upon delegation by the CHED by the Student Loan Fund Authority created under
Republic Act No. 6014 which is hereby reinstituted pursuant to the terms of the same Republic
Act which shall be used to finance educational loans to cover matriculation and other school fees
and educational expenses for book subsistence, and board and lodging.
“(b) Amounts covering payments for tuition and other school fees shall be paid directly to the
school concerned.

“(c) Any loan granted under this section shall be paid by the student-debtor after he has finished
the course or profession for which the proceeds of the loan was expended, but only after a period
of two (2) years from the time he has acquired an employment: Provided, however, That interest
at the rate of not more than six percent (6%) per annum shall accrue on the balance thereof.

“(d) Social Security Fund. The Social Security System shall make available low interest
educational loans to its members and to private educational institutions for school buildings
and/or improvement of their plants and facilities.

“SEC. 14. Teachers’ Salary Subsidy Fund. — A Teachers’ Salary Subsidy Fund is hereby established in
the DECS to grant government subsidy to teachers in private high schools participating in the programs of
assistance provided in this Act: Provided, That the total monthly salary which includes the subsidy to be
received by such private high school teachers shall not be more than eighty percent (80%) of the salary of
his counterpart in the public sector: Provided, further, That the amount of monthly subsidy shall not
exceed the amount of any monthly salary increase that teachers in public high schools shall after the
effectivity of this Act hereinafter receive: Provided, further, That private high school teachers qualified to
receive subsidy under this Act are duly licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission: Provided,
further, That the government shall provide them with a voucher for the salary subsidy which shall be
reimbursed directly to the teachers within sixty (60) days after the close of the school year upon
submission of proof of qualification and actual teaching service in a participating private high school:
Provided, further, That the present allocation out of increases from tuition and other income shall be
maintained: Provided, finally, That in case of insufficiency of funds, priority shall be given to married
teachers supporting a family.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7877]

AN ACT DECLARING SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNLAWFUL IN THE EMPLOYMENT,

EDUCATION OR TRAINING ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SEC. 3. Work, Education or Training-related Sexual Harassment Defined. – Work, education or

training-related sexual harassment is committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor,
agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainor, or any other person who,
having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work or training or education
environment, demands, requests or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the other, regardless
of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted by the object of said
Act.

(a) In a work-related or employment environment, sexual

harassment is committed when:

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8190

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8190 - AN ACT GRANTING PRIORITY TO RESIDENTS OF
 THE BARANGAY, MUNICIPALITY OR CITY WHERE THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED,
IN THE APPOINTMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF CLASSROOM PUBLIC
SCHOOLTEACHERS
Section 1. In the appointment or assignment of teachers to public elementary or secondary
schools, priority shall be given to bona fide residents of the barangay, municipality, city or
province where the school is located: provided, that the teacher possesses all the minimum
qualifications for the position as required by law.

Protests regarding the appointment or assignment of classroom public schoolteachers shall

prescribe in three (3) months upon the issuance of such appointments or assignment.
Sec. 3. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) shall prescribe the
rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act. The DECS shall provide the
senate and the House of Representatives a copy of the rules and regulations within
ninety (90) days after approval of this Act.

Sec. 4. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Republic Act No. 9262 March 08, 2004

AN ACT DEFINING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN, PROVIDING FOR
PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR VICTIMS, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFORE, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared that the State values the dignity of women
and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State also recognizes the need to
protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to
their personal safety and security.

Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address violence committed against women and
children in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the
Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the convention on the Elimination of all
forms of discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child and other
international human rights instruments of which the Philippines is a party.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act,

(a) "Violence against women and their children" refers to any act or a series of acts
committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman
with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a
common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the
family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or
suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion,
harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It includes, but is not limited to, the following
acts:

A. "Physical Violence" refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm;

 B. "Sexual violence" refers to an act which is sexual in nature, committed against a
woman or her child. It includes, but is not limited to:

a) rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating a woman or her

child as a sex object, making demeaning and sexually suggestive remarks,
physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim's body, forcing her/him to
watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the woman or her
child to do indecent acts and/or make films thereof, forcing the wife and
mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together in the same
room with the abuser;

b) acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage in any sexual

activity by force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or
other harm or coercion;

c) Prostituting the woman or child.

C. "Psychological violence" refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause

mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation,
harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated
verbal abuse and mental infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to
witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to
which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness
abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody
and/or visitation of common children.

D. "Economic abuse" refers to acts that make or attempt to make a woman

financially dependent which includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim from engaging in

any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, except in cases
wherein the other spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral grounds
as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code;

2. deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right to

the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in
common;

3. destroying household property;

4. controlling the victims' own money or properties or solely controlling the

conjugal money or properties.

(b) "Battery" refers to an act of inflicting physical harm upon the woman or her child resulting
to the physical and psychological or emotional distress.

(c) "Battered Woman Syndrome" refers to a scientifically defined pattern of psychological

and behavioral symptoms found in women living in battering relationships as a result of
cumulative abuse.
 (d) "Stalking" refers to an intentional act committed by a person who, knowingly and without
lawful justification follows the woman or her child or places the woman or her child under
surveillance directly or indirectly or a combination thereof.

(e) "Dating relationship" refers to a situation wherein the parties live as husband and wife
without the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved over time and on a continuing
basis during the course of the relationship. A casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization
between two individuals in a business or social context is not a dating relationship.

(f) "Sexual relations" refers to a single sexual act which may or may not result in the bearing
of a common child.

(g) "Safe place or shelter" refers to any home or institution maintained or managed by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by any other agency or voluntary
organization accredited by the DSWD for the purposes of this Act or any other suitable place
the resident of which is willing temporarily to receive the victim.

(h) "Children" refers to those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but are incapable of
taking care of themselves as defined under Republic Act No. 7610. As used in this Act, it
includes the biological children of the victim and other children under her care.

SECTION 5. Acts of Violence Against Women and Their Children.- The crime of violence against
women and their children is committed through any of the following acts:

(a) Causing physical harm to the woman or her child;

(b) Threatening to cause the woman or her child physical harm;

(c) Attempting to cause the woman or her child physical harm;

(d) Placing the woman or her child in fear of imminent physical harm;

(e) Attempting to compel or compelling the woman or her child to engage in conduct which
the woman or her child has the right to desist from or desist from conduct which the woman
or her child has the right to engage in, or attempting to restrict or restricting the woman's or
her child's freedom of movement or conduct by force or threat of force, physical or other
harm or threat of physical or other harm, or intimidation directed against the woman or child.
This shall include, but not limited to, the following acts committed with the purpose or effect
of controlling or restricting the woman's or her child's movement or conduct:

(1) Threatening to deprive or actually depriving the woman or her child of custody to
her/his family;

(2) Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her children of financial support
legally due her or her family, or deliberately providing the woman's children
insufficient financial support;

(3) Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of a legal right;
 (4) Preventing the woman in engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation,
business or activity or controlling the victim's own mon4ey or properties, or solely
controlling the conjugal or common money, or properties;

(f) Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm on oneself for the purpose of controlling her
actions or decisions;

(g) Causing or attempting to cause the woman or her child to engage in any sexual activity
which does not constitute rape, by force or threat of force, physical harm, or through
intimidation directed against the woman or her child or her/his immediate family;

(h) Engaging in purposeful, knowing, or reckless conduct, personally or through another, that
alarms or causes substantial emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her child.
This shall include, but not be limited to, the following acts:

(1) Stalking or following the woman or her child in public or private places;

(2) Peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the woman or her
child;

(3) Entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the woman or her child
against her/his will;

(4) Destroying the property and personal belongings or inflicting harm to animals or
pets of the woman or her child; and

(5) Engaging in any form of harassment or violence;

(i) Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her
child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of
financial support or custody of minor children of access to the woman's child/children.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 9710 August 14, 2009

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - Recognizing that the economic, political, and sociocultural
realities affect women's current condition, the State affirms the role of women in nation building and
ensures the substantive equality of women and men. It shall promote empowerment of women and
pursue equal opportunities for women and men and ensure equal access to resources and to
development results and outcome. Further, the State realizes that equality of men and women
entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and
inequality. To realize this, the State shall endeavor to develop plans, policies, programs, measures,
and mechanisms to address discrimination and inequality in the economic, political, social, and
cultural life of women and men.

The State condemns discrimination against women in all its forms and pursues by all appropriate
means and without delay the policy of eliminating discrimination against women in keeping with the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other
international instruments consistent with Philippine law. The State shall accord women the rights,
protection, and opportunities available to every member of society.
The State affirms women's rights as human rights and shall intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties
under international and domestic law to recognize, respect, protect, fulfill, and promote all human
rights and fundamental freedoms of women, especially marginalized women, in the economic,
social, political, cultural, and other fields without distinction or discrimination on account of class,
age, sex, gender, language, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disability, education, and status. The State
shall provide the necessary mechanisms to enforce women's rights and adopt and undertake all
legal measures necessary to foster and promote the equal opportunity for women to participate in
and contribute to the development of the political, economic, social, and cultural realms.

The State, in ensuring the full integration of women's concerns in the mainstream of development,
shall provide ample opportunities to enhance and develop their skills, acquire productive
employment and contribute to their families and communities to the fullest of their capabilities.

In pursuance of this policy, the State reaffirms the right of women in all sectors to participate in policy
formulation. planning, organization, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of all
programs, projects, and services. It shall support policies, researches, technology, and training
programs and other support services such as financing, production, and marketing to encourage
active participation of women in national development.

Section 4. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) "Women Empowerment" refers to the provision, availability, and accessibility of

opportunities, services, and observance of human rights which enable women to actively
participate and contribute to the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the
nation as well as those which shall provide them equal access to ownership, management,
and control of production, and of material and informational resources and benefits in the
family, community, and society.

(b) "Discrimination Against Women" refers to any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or

restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition,
enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality
of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic,
social, cultural, civil, or any other field.

It includes any act or omission, including by law; policy, administrative measure, or practice,
that directly or indirectly excludes or restricts women in the recognition and promotion of their
rights and their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges.

A measure or practice of general application is discrimination against women if it fails to

provide for mechanisms to offset or address sex or gender-based disadvantages or
limitations of women, as a result of which women are denied or restricted in the recognition
and protection of their rights and in their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits,
or privileges; or women, more than men, are shown to have suffered the greater adverse
effects of those measures or practices.

Provided, finally, That discrimination compounded by or intersecting with other grounds,

status, or condition, such as ethnicity, age, poverty, or religion shall be considered
discrimination against women under this Act.

(c) "Marginalization" refers to a condition where a whole category of people is excluded from
useful and meaningful participation in political, economic, social, and cultural life.
(d) "Marginalized" refers to the basic, disadvantaged, or vulnerable persons or groups who
are mostly living in poverty and have little or no access to land and other resources, basic
social and economic services such as health care, education, water and sanitation,
employment and livelihood opportunities, housing, social security, physical infrastructure;
and the justice system.

These include, but are not limited to, women in the following sectors and groups:

(1) "Small Farmers and Rural Workers" refers to those who are engaged directly or
indirectly in small farms and forest areas, workers in commercial farms and
plantations, whether paid or unpaid, regular or season-bound. These shall include.
but are not limited to, (a) small farmers who own or are still amortizing for lands that
is not more than three (3) hectares, tenants, leaseholders, and stewards; and (b)
rural workers who are either wage earners, self-employed, unpaid family workers
directly and personally engaged in agriculture, small-scale mining, handicrafts, and
other related farm and off-farm activities;

(2) "Fisherfolk" refers to those directly or indirectly engaged in taking, culturing, or

processing fishery or aquatic resources. These include, but are not to be limited to,
women engaged in fishing in municipal waters, coastal and marine areas, women
workers in commercial fishing and aquaculture, vendors and processors of fish and
coastal products, and subsistence producers such as shell-gatherers, managers, and
producers of mangrove resources, and other related producers:

(3) "Urban Poor" refers to those residing in urban and urbanizable slum or blighted
areas, with or without the benefit of security of abode, where the income of the head
of the family cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide for the family's basic
needs of food, health, education, housing, and other essentials in life;

(4) "Workers in the Formal Economy" refers to those who are employed by any
person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an
employee and shall include the government and all its branches, subdivisions, and
instrumentalities, all government- owned and -controlled corporations and
institutions, as well as nonprofit private institutions or organizations;

(5) "Workers in the Informal Economy" refers to self-employed, occasionally or

personally hired, subcontracted, paid and unpaid family workers in household
incorporated and unincorporated enterprises, including home workers, micro-
entrepreneurs and producers, and operators of sari-sari stores and all other
categories who suffer from violation of workers' rights:

(6) "Migrant Workers" refers to Filipinos who are to be engaged, are engaged, or
have been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which they are not legal
residents, whether documented or undocumented;

(7) "Indigenous Peoples" refers to a group of people or homogenous societies

identified by self-ascription and ascription by other, who have continuously lived as
organized community on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have,
under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied; possessed customs,
tradition, and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to
political, social, and cultural inroads of colonization, non- indigenous religions and
culture, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. They shall
 likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent
from the populations which inhabited the country, at the dime of conquest or
colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the
establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social,
economic, cultural, and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from
their traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains
as defined under Section 3(h), Chapter II of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known
as "The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997" (IPRA of 1997);

(8) "Moro" refers to native peoples who have historically inhabited Mindanao,
Palawan, and Sulu, and who are largely of the Islamic faith;

(9) "Children" refers to those who are below eighteen (18) years of age or over but
are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse,
neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental
disability or condition;

(10) "Senior Citizens" refers to those sixty (60) years of age and above;

(11) "Persons with Disabilities" refers to those who are suffering from restriction or
different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical, or sensory impairment to perform
an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being;
and

(12) "Solo Parents" refers to those who fall under the category of a solo parent
defined under Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the "Solo Parents Welfare
Act of 2000".

(e) "Substantive Equality" refers to the full and equal enjoyment of rights and freedoms
contemplated under this Act. It encompasses de jure and de facto equality and also equality
in outcomes.

(f) "Gender Equality" refers to the principle asserting the equality of men and women and
their right to enjoy equal conditions realizing their full human potentials to contribute to and
benefit from the results of development, and with the State recognizing that all human beings
are free and equal in dignity and rights.

(g) "Gender Equity" refers to the policies, instruments, programs, services, and actions that
address the disadvantaged position of women in society by providing preferential treatment
and affirmative action. Such temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de
facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discriminatory but shall in no
way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate standards. These
measures shall be discontinued when the objectives of equality of opportunity and treatment
have been achieved.

(h) "Gender and Development (GAD)" refers to the development perspective and process
that are participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful
of human rights, supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potentials. It
seeks to achieve gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in
development choices; seeks to transform society's social, economic, and political structures
and questions the validity of the gender roles they ascribed to women and men; contends
that women are active agents of development and not just passive recipients of development
assistance; and stresses the need of women to organize themselves and participate in
political processes to strengthen their legal rights.

(i) "Gender Mainstreaming" refers to the strategy for making women's as well as men's
concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring,
and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economic, and societal spheres so
that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. It is the process of
assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation,
policies, or programs in all areas and at all levels.

(j) "Temporary Special Measures" refers to a variety of legislative, executive, administrative,

and regulatory instruments, policies, and practices aimed at accelerating this de facto
equality of women in specific areas. These measures shall not be considered discriminatory
but shall in no way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate
standards. They shall be discontinued when their objectives have been achieved.

(k) "Violence Against Women" refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is
likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including
threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public
or in private life. It shall be understood to encompass, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence occurring in the family,
including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related
violence, marital rape, and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal
violence, and violence related to exploitation;

(2) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring within the general
community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and intimidation at
work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women, and prostitution;
and

(3) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the

State, wherever it occurs.

It also includes acts of violence against women as defused in Republic Acts No. 9208 and
9262.

(l) "Women in the Military" refers to women employed in the military, both in the major and
technical services, who are performing combat and/or noncombat functions, providing
security to the State, and protecting the people from various forms of threat. It also includes
women trainees in all military training institutions.

(m) "Social Protection" refers to policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and
vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of all women, especially the
marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against
hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people's capacity to manage risk. Its
components are labor market programs, social insurance, social welfare, and social safety
nets.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491

AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO,
COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE
PHILIPPINES.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — Whenever used in this Act, the term:

a. “Military” shall mean all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including the
Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire
Protection;

b. “Festoon” shall mean to hang in a curved shape between two points as a decoration;

c. “Flag” shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated otherwise;

d. “Fly” shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or length;

e. “Symbol” shall mean any conventional sign which reveals man’s achievement and heroism
(for orders and decorations), identification, authority and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-arms, logo
and insignia);

f. “Half-Mast” shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom
of the staff;

g. “Hoist” shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or the canvass to which the halyard is
attached;

h. “Inclement Weather” shall mean that a typhoon signal is raised in the locality;

i. “National Anthem” shall mean the Philippine National Anthem’

j. “Official Residences” shall mean Malacañang, and other government-owned structures where
the President resides, and other structures occupied by the Philippine Consulate or Embassies
abroad;

k. “Places of Frivolty” shall mean places of hilarity marked by or providing boisterous

merriment or recreation; and

l. “Institute” shall mean the National Historical Institute.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10157]

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION INTO THE

BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10533

AN ACT ENHANCING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM BY STRENGTHENING
ITS CURRICULUM AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YEARS FOR BASIC EDUCATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10931

AN ACT PROMOTING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION BY

PROVIDING FOR FREE TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES, LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND STATE-RUN TECHNICAL-
VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY AND
STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM, STRENGTHENING THE UNIFIED STUDENT FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUND
THEREFOR

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Cost of Tertiary Education refers to (1) tuition and other school fees, (2) educational
expenses and (3) the cost of living allowance;

(b) Graduate courses refers to higher education programs leading to a certificate, diploma,
master's or doctorate degrees, as may be authorized and recognized by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED);

(c) Higher education refers to the stage of formal education, or its equivalent, requiring
completion of secondary education and covering programs of study leading to bachelor and
advanced degrees, including associate degrees;

(d) Higher Education Institution (HEI) refers to an education institution authorized and
recognized by the CHED to offer bachelor's degree or graduate courses;

(e) Local universities and colleges (LUCs) refers to CHED-accredited public HEIs
established by local government units (LGUs) through an enabling ordinance, financially
supported by the LGU concerned, and complaint with the policies, standards and guidelines
of the CHED;

(f) National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan
2.0 refers to the information management of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. The system
makes available to national government agencies and other social protection stakeholders a
database of poor families as reference in identifying potential beneficiaries of social
protection programs;

(g) Other education-related expenses refers to expenses related to the education of a

student such as books, school supplies, uniforms, reproduction of materials, electronic
devices necessary for education and other fees such as for practical teaching devices
student publication, yearbook, insurance and student trust funds:

(h) Other school fees refers to fees charges by HEIs and technical-vocational institutions
which cover other necessary costs supportive of instructions, specifically the following: library
fees, computer fees, laboratory fees, school ID fees , athletic fees, admission fees,
 development fees, guidance fees, handbook fees, entrance fees, registration fees, medical
and dental fees, cultural fees and other similar or related fees;

(i) Private higher education institution refers to HEI not not owned and controlled by the
government or its instrumentalities;

(j) Private technical-vocational institution refers to post-secondary technical-vocational

institution run by the private sector offering programs registered with the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);

(k) Qualified student refers to any student who possesses all the qualifications under Section
4 and 5 and none of the disqualifications under Section 6 hereof;

(l) State-run technical-vocational institutions refers to technical-vocational institutions

operated by the TESDA or LGUs: Provided, That in the latter case, the same should be
accredited by the TESDA;

(m) State universities and colleges (SUCs) refers to public HEIs established by national
government and are governed by their respective independent boards of trustees or regents;

(n) Student loan program for tertiary education refers to a loan program established under
Section 8 of this Act;

(o) Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) refers to the education process
designed a post-secondary and lower tertiary levels, officially recognized as nondegree
programs aimed at preparing technicians, paraprofessionals and other categories of middle-
level workers by providing them with a board range of general education, theoretical,
scientific and technological studies, and related job skills training;

(p) Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) refers to learning institutions offering post-

secondary (TVET;

(q) Tertiary education refers to the stage of education following the secondary cycle which
covers post-secondary nondegree diploma, TVET, and higher education programs, including
graduate education;

(r) Tertiary education subsidy (TES) refers to a subsidy established under Section 7 of this
Act;

(s) Tuition fees refer to fees or school charges for subjects or course enrolled in by a tertiary
eduaction student;

(t) Undergraduate courses refers to any program leading to a degree as may be authorized
and recognized by the CHED; and

(u) Unified StudentFinancial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) refers to
the harmonized, state-run and administered system of higher education and technical-
vocational scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans, and other modalities of student
financial assistance program under Republic Act No. 10687.

Republic Act No. 6655 May 26, 1988

 AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR A FREE PUBLIC SECONDARY EDUCATION
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT No. 7722

AN ACT CREATING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7796, August 25, 1994 ]

AN ACT CREATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,

PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS, STRUCTURE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10912

An Act Mandating and Strengthening the Continuing Professional Development Program for
All Regulated Professions, Creating Continuing Professional Development Council, and
Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Related Purposes

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and
upgrade the practice of professions in the country. Towards this end, the State shall institute
measures that will continuously improve the competence of the professionals in accordance with the
international standards of practice, thereby, ensuring their contribution in uplifting the general
welfare, economic growth and development of the nation.

Republic Act An Act to Strengthen the Regulation and Supervision of the

No. 7836 Practice of Teaching in the Philippines and Prescribing a
December Licensure Examination for Teachers and for Other Purposes
16, 1994

DO 74, s. 2009
Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MLE)

FEBRUARY 17, 2012 DO 16, S. 2012 – GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

THE MOTHER TONGUE-BASED- MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION (MTB-MLE)

REPUBLIC ACT No. 11036

An Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of Enhancing the
Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting and Protecting the Rights of
Persons Utilizing Psychosocial Health Services, Appropriating Funds Therefor and Other
Purposes

 CMO No. 74 S. 2017 Policies, Standards and

Guidelines For Bachelor of Elementary Education
(Beed)
 CMO No. 75, Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards
and Guidelines for Bachelor of Secondary Education
(BSEd)
 CMO No. 76, Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards
and Guidelines for Bachelor of Early Childhood
Education (BECEd)
 CMO No. 77, Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards
and Guidelines for Bachelor of Special Needs
Education (BSNEd)
 CMO No. 78, Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards
and Guidelines for Bachelor of Technology and
Livelihood Education (BTLEd
 CMO No. 79, Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards
and Guidelines for Bachelor of Technical-Vocational
Teacher Education (BTVTEd) and CMO No. 80,
Series of 2017 - Policies, Standards and Guidelines
for Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd)
  CMO No. 80, Series Of 2017 - P O L I C I E S ,
S TA N D A R D S A N D G U I D E L I N E S F O R
BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION (BPEd)
 CMO 81, S. 2017 - Policies, Standards and
Guidelines for Bachelor of Science in Exercise and
Sports Sciences (BSESS) & CMO No. 82, S. 2017 -
Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Bachelor of
Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd)
 CMO 82, S. 2017 - Policies, Standards and
Guidelines for Bachelor of Culture and Arts
Education (BCAEd)
 Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 907,
dated March 11, 1976, titled “Granting
Civil Service Eligibility to College
Honor Graduates”.
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 1079

 An Act Providing that Civil Service Eligibility Shall be Permanent

 REPUBLIC ACT No. 2706

 An Act Creating the Reforestation Administration

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7784, August 04, 1994 ]

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY ESTABLISHING

CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, CREATING A TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL FOR THE
PURPOSE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
  PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO 1006 Decree
Professionalizing Teaching.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9155 August 11, 2001

 AN ACT INSTITUTING A FRAME WORK OF GOVERNANCE FOR BASIC

EDUCATION, ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, RENAMING
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS AS THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 74

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT NUMBERED TWENTY-SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIX AS
AMENDED BY ACT NUMBERED THIRTY HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE AND
COMMONWEALTH ACT NUMBERED ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY PROVIDING
FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENSES IN THE SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND FOR A REVOLVING
FUND FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF TEXTBOOKS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL
STUDENTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES