President Duterte Signs Bill for Free Tuition Fees in SUCs Into Law

Last July 28, Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Vince Nonato claimed on Inquirer.net that the proposed free tuition in all state universities and colleges or SUCs was “just a one-off educational assistance from the administration of self-proclaimed “socialist” President Rodrigo Duterte” apparently based on the statements of leftist representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro of the ACT party-list.

Well? In your faces, you three!

Today, parents, students, the senators and congressmen who approved the bill --- EVERYONE is rejoicing as news broke out that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has finally signed the bill for Free Tuition for state universities and colleges. 

The president stood firm in his decision that now is the time for free college education for all SUC students. This is in spite of the dire warnings of his economic managers that the government will not yet be able to afford the measure, as the Budget department estimates it would be required to spend P100 billion for the act.

Senators Escudero, Gatchalian and Ejercito, however, were in full support of the bill. As a matter of fact, in the latter’s statement on Wednesday, Senator JV Ejercito even said, “If the government can spend P70 billion a year for Conditional Cash Transfer, which is a dole out, why can’t we spend P28 billion for higher education? I would rather invest for higher education since this is the best way out of poverty and not through dole outs”.

The CCT he is talking about is what was previously referred to as the 4Ps by the previous administration.

It is to be remembered that former President Noynoy Aquino previously refused to sign this bill into law when it was brought into his hands. Now, even his cousin and author of the bill, Senator Bam Aquino, is profusely thanking the president for approving the bill, the latter’s 19th bill to be passed into law.

It’s confirmed, then. Any student can now enjoy free education in any SUC of their choice, as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under TESDA beginning from the second semester of the academic year 2017-2018.

Another cause for celebration, especially for parents, is that the government will also be shouldering all other miscellaneous and mandatory fees.

Does this news bring you joy as well? Let us know in the comments below.