PLM may lose P350 million government subsidy, councilors warn

MANILA, Philippines — The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) could lose P350 million in government subsidy due to the PLM president’s lack of a doctorate degree, thanks to a law assuring free education for students of local universities and colleges, city councilors warned on Tuesday.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) previously warned PLM it might be “delisted” as a beneficiary of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, according to a resolution filed by Manila District 6 Councilor Elmer Par before the city council on Tuesday.

Par noted that PLM president Emmanuel Leyco’s lack of a doctorate degree is an alleged violation of CHED’s requirements to be recognized as a subsidy recipient under RA 10931.

He said PLM’s student council reached out to him, declaring the issue would displace 18,000 students.

Councilors Awi Sia of District 2 and Jaybee Hizon of District 5 maintained “someone must make a sacrifice” and “differences must be set aside.”

District 3 Councilor Pamela Fugoso-Pascual filed another resolution, calling on the city government, including Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, to meet with PLM’s board of regents to resolve the issue.

Par’s resolution did not receive any objection from the city council while Fugoso’s resolution was seconded by Councilors Jesus Fajardo Jr., Niño dela Cruz, Irma Alfonso-Juson, Marjun Isidro, Ian Nieva, Dave Tan, Rod Lacsamana, Maile Atienza, Terrence Alibarbar, DJ Bagatsing, Krys Bacani, Science Reyes, JTV Villanueva, Lady Quintos, Boy Isip, Charry Ortega, Jaybee Hizon, Bobby Espiritu, Caloy Castañeda, Par and Lou Veloso.

Leyco, who holds a master’s degree in public administration, slammed CHED for its “misplaced attempt to treat PLM as a local college/university which is established by a local ordinance.”

“PLM was established through Republic Act 4196 and governed by an independent board of regents. This charter cannot be repealed or amended by an administrative order,” he wrote in his statement.

The university has appealed to CHED to “withdraw” its en banc resolution last May 30 threatening to delist PLM as an accredited higher education institution.

Leyco called on PLM students, faculty and other stakeholders to “come together to protect the interests of the university.”