Manila councilors express concerns; PLM admin explains its “special legal stature” over CHED’s resolution

On Tuesday, Manila City councilors expressed concerns over Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s (PLM) possible delisting as a beneficiary of the Free Tertiary Education through resolutions, based on a report from Philstar.com published Aug. 31.

On the same day, the University released a statement assuring continued free tuition and salary payments.

In a report, District 6 Councilor Elmer "Joel" M. Par filed a resolution noting that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) previously warned PLM it might be “delisted” as a beneficiary of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Act and the lack of a doctorate degree is an alleged violation of requirements to be recognized as a subsidy recipient under the law. 

In a copy of the resolution that Ang Pamantasan obtained this morning, Coun. Par called for an immediate response, “Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the City Council of Manila, to call for an immediate response in relation to the CHED Resolution No. 285-2023 that may delist Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as one of the beneficiary of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act if the current president remains.”

District 2 Councilor Darwin “Awi” Sia and District 5 Councilor Jaybee S. Hizon maintained “someone must make a sacrifice” and “differences must be set aside,” based on The Philippine Star’s website. 

In contrast, the University administration said that it has explained the “circumstances unique to PLM that puts its appointive officials outside the standards set under the executive agency's memorandum orders,” in their written response to CHED.

In the same statement, the administration argued that the pertinent CHED policies that require the universities and colleges’ presidents to have a doctorate degree apply to LUCs established by a local ordinance while PLM, in contrast, was created by a national law.

PLM University President Emmanuel Leyco said “The University maintains constant and open communication with CHED regarding this issue, and we are hopeful that CHED will recognize the unique legal position surrounding our University.”

The University draws its mandate from the Republic Act No. 4196  or “An Act Authorizing the City of Manila to Establish and Operate the University of the City of Manila and for Other Purposes” signed into law by former President Diosdado Macapagal on June 19, 1965. 

Furthermore, the administration added that the law places the university “at a special legal stature as it is not a local university – rather, it is a locally-funded public higher education institution that was created through the enactment of a law originating from the Philippine Congress.”

The statement also provided comparisons between PLM and the University of the Philippines (UP) System. It stated that UP has the same legal standing, being created by a law, which does not require a doctorate degree for its presidents.

“UP receives funding from the national government under both the annual General Appropriations Act and via subsidies under the Unified Financial Assistance System (UniFAST). Meanwhile, PLM is funded by subsidies from UniFAST and from the City Government of Manila,” the administration added in the same statement. 

“PLM also takes exception in CHED's attempt to classify PLM as an LUC, as its unique legal stature clearly proves otherwise,” the statement said.

On the other hand, District 3 Councilor Pamela Fugoso-Pascual also filed another resolution calling Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan together with the city government to meet with the PLM’s Board of Regents to resolve the issue. The resolution was seconded by 21 other councilors.

Last night, Coun. Fugoso-Pascual replied to an Ang Pamantasan News staffer that her copy of the resolution is at City Hall and the publication is requesting a copy.

Last Aug. 15, CHED released a letter to the University with a copy of CHED En Banc Resolution No. 285-2023. The said resolution approved the revocation of the exemption of PLM from the compliance with the minimum guidelines as to the establishment of and operations of Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).

CHED also directed PLM to comply with Institutional Recognition requirements in 15 days after the receipt of the letter. Failure of the University to do so will result in the commission’s recommendation to the concerned governing board its delisting from the list of UAQTE Act beneficiaries.

The University has sent a written response to the commission. As of this writing, the publication has yet to have a copy of the response.

"It is our fervent hope that the matter will be resolved swiftly and amicably," Leyco added in the said statement.

This is a developing story.