REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12296 AN ACT CONVERTING THE SULU STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF JOLO, PROVINCE OF SULU, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE SULU STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR September 15, 2025

SECTION 1.Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Sulu State University  Charter".

SEC. 2.Conversion. -The Sulu State College (SSC) in the Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu, including all its satellite campuses, are hereby converted into a state university to be known as the Sulu State University (SSU).

The existing reasonably sized laboratory high school shall continue to operate under the supervision of the College of Education of the SSU to serve the in-campus requirements of its students.

(a) Chairperson of the Committee 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) Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev);

(d) Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology;

(e) President of the federation of faculty associations of the SSU;

(f) President of the federation of student councils of the SSU;

(g) President of the federation of alumni associations of the SSU;

(h) Representatives of the nonteaching or personnel association of the SSU; and

(i) Three (3) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization.

The Board shall appoint three (3) prominent citizens who shall be selected from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons from the Province of Sulu, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the President of the SSU, in consultation with the Chairperson of the CHED and other members of the Board, based on the guidelines, qualifications, and standards for the position set by the Board. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.

The presidents of the federation of faculty associations, the federation of student councils,  and the  federation of alumni associations, and the representative of the non-teaching personnel  shall  be coterminous with their terms of office, as provided under their respective constitutions and by laws.

(a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies and provisions of the Constitution on education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as the policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”;

(b) Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils as herein provided;

(c) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the SSU, the vice presidents,  chancellors, deans, directors, heads of the campuses, faculty members, and other officials  of the SSU;

(d) Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and employees, subject to the provisions of RA No. 11466, otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization law of 2019", civil service rules and regulations governing hours of service and such other requirements and conditions, and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations;

(e) Fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, such as matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose, after due consultation with the concerned sectors. The fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the SSU, shall constitute its funds to be used exclusively in the pursuit of its mandate as a state college, and shall be deposited in any authorized govenrment depository bank. All interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the SSU;

The fees and charges collected by the SSU, including govenrment subsidies and proceeds from other income sources, as well as interests that would accrue therefrom shall be retained by the SSU:Provided,That in no case shall the said income be used for the payment of allowances and other benefits not authorized by law:Provided, further,That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific purposes for which they were collected.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Board may authorize, for such reasonable and legal purposes for which it deems necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives of the SSU, the use of: (i) any unexpended balance whose fiduciary character has beenipso factoremoved pursuant to the grant of subsidy under R No. 10931, otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act"; and/or (ii) any appropriation for any project under the duly approved program of expenditures of the SSU, for reasons beyond its control, would not be able to pursue:Provided,That funds collected from student for specific purposes shall not be realigned or reprogrammed to other expenditures;

(f)  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;

(g) Establish professional chairs in the SSU and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members, and scholarships to deserving students;

(h) Receive appropriate sums as may be provided by law for the support of the SSU, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the SSU;

(i) Set the policies on admission and graduation of students;

(j) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the fields of education, public service, arts, science and technology, agriculture or any field of specialization within the academic competency of the SSU, and authorize the awarding of certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses;

(k) Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint experts or specialist as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researchers, as the case may be;

(l) Adopt modern and innovative modes of transferring knowledge to allow greater access to education such as the use of information technology, online programs, the dual training system, open distance learning, and community laboratory;

(m)  Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Sulu and BARMM as branches, extension campuses, and external centers, in coordination with the CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and offer therein programs or courses to carry out the constitutional mandate of providing equal access to educational opportunities;

(n) Authorize an external management audit of the SSU, to be financed by the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis of the audit results and recommendations;

(o) Develop consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units, as well as public, private, local or foreign institutions and agencies, in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the SSU;

(p) Import books or publications, instruments, equipment, and apparatuses for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, medical, philosophical, historical, legal or cultural purposes;

(q) Enter into joint ventures with business and industry, after consultation with the DEPDev, for the profitable development and management of economic assets, the proceeds of which shall be used for the development and strengthening of the SSU;

(r) Receive, in trust, 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 SSU and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any;

(s) Extend the term of the President of the SSU beyond the age of retirement, but not beyond the age of seventy (70), based on the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board: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;

(t) Delegate any of its powers and duties provided to the President and other officials of the SSU, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the SSU;

(u) Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent decision-making within the SSU;

(v) Where most advantageous to the SSU, outsource the management of nonacademic services such as health, food, building, or grounds or property maintenance, and such other similar activities;

(w) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real property, including the necessary supplies, materials and equipment; and

(x) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and functions of the SSU.

SEC. 8.Meetings of the Board. -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 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 SSU is among those present in the meeting.

In case the Chairperson of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED Commissioner duly assigned by the Chairperson 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 SSU, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer:Provided, further,That this provision notwithstanding, the Chairperson of the CHED is hereby authorized to designate a CHED Commissioner as the regular Chairperson of the Board, in which case, the said CHED Commissioner shall act a the presiding officer.

In case the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education cannot  attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective representatives  who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members of the Board.

The members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either for their 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. 9.The University President. -The SSU shall be headed by a President who shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines, qualifications and standards, and based on the recommendation of a Search Committee duly constituted for the purpose of selecting the President.The SSU President shall render full-time service for four (4) years and may be reappointed to another term.

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent President of the SSU, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency and shall ensure the appointment or reappointment of a President on or before the expiration of the term.

The powers and duties of the President of the SSU, in addition to those specifically provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of universities and those delegated by the Board.

The salary of the President of the SSU shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 11466,  and by such other laws amendatory thereto which may hereinafter be enacted,  the  joint circular for state universities and colleges' leveling instruments, and guidelines of the CHED and the DBM.

In 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 SSU, pending the appointment of the President.

The President of the SSU shall be assisted by the following officials:  Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, Planning, and Finance; and Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension. They shall all be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the SSU.

SEC. 10.The Secretary of the SSU. -The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as such for both the Board and the SSU and shall keep all records and proceedings of meetings of the Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the SSU shall serve upon each member of the Board the appropriate notice of Board meetings.

SEC. 11.The Treasurer of the SSU. -The Treasurer of the Philippine shall be theex officioTreasurer of the SSU.

SEC. 12.The Administrative Council. -There shall be an Administrative Council consisting of the President of the SSU, as Chairperson, and the vice presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal rank, as members, whose duty is to  review and recommend to the Board the policies that shall govern the administration, management and development planning of the SSU.

SEC. 13.The Academic Council. -There shall be an Academic Council consisting of the President of the SSU,  as Chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at lease an assistant profession, as members.

The Academic Council shall have the power to review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules of discipline,  fix the requirements for the admission of students, as well as for their graduation and conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the students and shall formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to review and approval by the Board through the President of the SSU.

SEC. 14.Academic Freedom. -The SSU shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

SEC. 15.TheFaculty. -No political belief, sex, gender, cultural or community affiliation, ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the SSU:Provided,That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications and standards set by the Board:Provided, further, That a member of the faculty shall not criticize, vouch for, recruit members in behalf of, or preach about any particular religious denomination.

SEC. 16.Heads of Campuses.- The Campus Director shall serve as heads or administrators of their respective SSU's campuses and render full-time service for a term of two (2) years, and eligible for reappointment to another term.

They shall be appointed or designated by the Board, upon recommendation of the Search Committee and the President, subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board:Provided,That upon the effectivity of this Act, the incumbent Campus Directors of the existing campuses of the SSC shall continue to serve as such.

SEC. 17.Scholarship Programs and Admission. -The SSU shall provide a scholarship programs and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission to the SSU.No student shall be denied admission to the SSU by reason of sex, gender, religion, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, or any other forms of discrimination.

SEC. 18.Loan or Transfer Supplies, Apparatuses, or Equipment, or Detail of Personnel of the SSU. -Heads of  national government agencies and instrumentalities may, upon the request of the Board through the President of the SSU, loan or transfer supplies, apparatuses, or equipment, or detail personnel to the College:Provided,That such loan, transfer or detail shall not be detrimental to public service.

The personnel to be detailed to the SSU shall perform such duties as required of them by the President of the SSU and the time spent for such duties shall be counted as part of the detailed personnel's  regular service.

SEC. 19.Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. -All assets, real and personal, personnel and records of the SSC, as well as liabilities or obligations, are hereby transferred to the SSU:Provided,That the positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel therein employed under existing laws prior to the conversion into university shall be respected.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the SSC and all its satellite campuses are declared as property of the SSU, and shall be titled under its name:Provided,That all parcels of land of the SSU shall revert to the original owner or donor, or the Republic of the Philippines, in the event that the SSU ceases to exist or be abolished, or should the said parcels of land be no longer needed by the SSU:Provided, further,That such reversion shall not impair obligation of contracts.

SEC. 20.Duty and Tax Exemptions. -The importation of books or publications, instruments, equipment, and apparatuses, which are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, medical, philosophical, historical, legal or cultural purposes made by the SSU, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of RA No. 10863, otherwise known as "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)".

All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions made to and used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes by the SSU, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be allowed as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

SEC. 21.Compliance with CHED Requirements. -Notwithstanding with the provisions of this Act, the conversion of the SSC into a state university shall become effective only upon the determination and declaration by the CHED, based on the recommendation of a panel of experts constituted for the purpose, that the SSC has complied with the requirements for a state college status based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 or the "Policy Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance in Philippine Higher Education, through the Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based QA":Provided,That the panel may issue such a recommendation when the SSC has substantially complied with the requirements for the grant of university status.

The following operational requirements for a university, as established by the CHED, shall be complied with:

(a) Employment of full-time, permanent faculty members who posses relevant degrees in their areas of specialization, as required by the CHED, and shall have participated in research and development activities in their respective disciplines, as evidenced by referred publications and other scholarly outputs;

(b) Offering of a comprehensive range of degree programs in all levels, from basic post-secondary to doctoral programs;

(c) Conduct of viable research programs in specific disciplinal and multidisciplinary areas of study that produce new knowledge, as evidenced by referred publications, citations, inventions, and patents, among others;

(d) Establishment  of comprehensive learning resources and support structures, to include libraries, practicum laboratories, relevant educational resources, and linkages with relevant disciplinal and professional sectors, so as to allow students to explore basic, advance, and even cutting-edge knowledge in a wide range of disciplines or professions;

(e) Maintenance of linkages and affiliation with other research institutions in various parts of the world to ensure that the research activities of the SSU are functioning at current global standards; and

(f) Conduct of outreach activities to allow the students, faculty, and research staff to apply the new knowledge they generate to address specific social development problems.

The CHED, through its regional office, shall regularly provide technical assistance to the SSU and monitor its compliance with the requirements of the CHED.

The SSC shall retain its status prior to the effectivity of this Act until it is able to comply with the requirements provided herein.

SEC. 22.Development Plan and Organizational Structure. -Within a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the SSU shall accomplish the following:

(a) Submit a five (5)-year development plan, including its program and budget to the CHED for recommendation to the DBM;

(b) Submit the revised Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) in accordance with RA No. 11396, otherwise known as the "SUCs LUDIP Act";

(c) Undergo a management audit in coordination with the CHED; and

(d) Set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure, including the designation of the key officials and other administrative personnel of the SSU.

SEC. 23.Filing of Report. -On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second (2^nd) month after the opening of the regular classes each year, the Board shall file a detailed report on its compliance with the requirements for a university status with the Office of the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, through the Chairperson of the CHED.

SEC. 24.Appropriations.-The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the SSC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 25.Suppletory Application. -The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997', shall form part of this Act.

SEC. 26.Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the CHED, shall issue rules and regulations to implement its provisions.

SEC. 27.Transitory Provision.- In order to effect a smooth transition to state university, the incumbent President of the SSC shall serve as the first President of the SSU who shall not be eligible for reappointment.

SEC. 28.Separability Clause. -If, 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. 29.Repealing Clause. -Batas Pambansa Blg. 208, entitled "An Act Converting the Jolo Community College and the Dayang-Dayang Hadji-Piandao Memorial High School, Both in the Province of Sulu, into a State College to be known as the Sulu State College", and all laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 30.Effectivity. -This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in theOfficial Gazetteor in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

   
   
 

(SGD.)FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO President of the Senate	(SGD.)FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
	Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House of Representatives on November 22, 2023, amended by the Senate of the Philippines on June 3, 2025, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on June 9, 2025.

 

   
   
 

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.	(SGD.)REGINALD S. VELASCO
Secretary of the Senate	Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: Lapsed into law on SEP 15 2025 without the signature of the President, in                                    accordance with Article VI,  Section 27 (1) of the Constitution

 

   
 

FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.

President of the Philippines