The House approves on second reading House Bill 11579, allowing graduating students with unpaid school fees to participate in graduation ceremonies.
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a proposed measure that would allow graduating students with outstanding financial or property obligations to participate in their graduation ceremonies.
House Bill No. 11579, also known as the Kapakanan ng Magsisipagtapos Bill, seeks to prohibit schools from preventing graduating students from attending commencement exercises solely because they have unpaid fees or unreturned school property.
House Committee on Higher Education Chairperson and Representative Jude Acidre explained that the proposed legislation aims to ensure that students can participate in graduation ceremonies even if they have pending financial obligations to their respective higher education institutions.
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“The proposal is to allow students with outstanding property or money obligations, financial obligations to higher education institutions to be able to participate in the graduation ceremonies,” Acidre said.
He clarified, however, that the measure would not exempt students from settling their outstanding balances or fulfilling their obligations to their schools.
“It does not absolve them of the obligations. Hindi po quits sa mga eskwelahan ang mga kailangan bayaran,” he said.
Acidre emphasized that the bill recognizes the importance of graduation ceremonies, particularly for students and their families who have worked hard to reach the milestone.
“Pero at the very least, sana hayaan silang makapagmartsa sa entablado,” he added, noting that walking across the graduation stage represents not only a student’s achievement but also the sacrifices, aspirations, and support of their loved ones.
The lawmaker also stressed that the proposed measure would maintain the rights of educational institutions and would not create an unfair arrangement against schools.
Under the proposal, schools would retain the authority to withhold students’ academic records, including transcripts and diplomas, until their outstanding financial or property obligations have been settled.
The bill also seeks to authorize the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to establish appropriate penalties against educational institutions that violate its provisions.
If enacted into law, the measure would establish a policy allowing graduating students to take part in commencement exercises despite unsettled school obligations, while preserving the institutions’ right to collect outstanding payments and recover school property.