President Marcos vetoes PUP bill

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has vetoed a bill that was supposed to grant the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) a national university status.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the National Polytechnic University Bill was vetoed due to non-compliance with certain requirements.

“The bill was vetoed by the President because there has been a directive since 2016 for the assessment of the said school. And as of now, it appears that there was no compliance with the required assessment,” Castro said in a press briefing, without providing details.

Castro said the President continued to express hope that the PUP would be granted national university status.

The bill seeks to amend the previous charter of the PUP, elevating its status to a National Polytechnic University.

If enacted into law, PUP will join the ranks of the University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University and Batangas State University, which hold a national university status.

National universities enjoy fiscal autonomy and are allowed to craft their own academic program.

Senate Bill 2669, sponsored by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, emphasized the need to modernize PUP’s charter to better serve its growing student population.

The bill introduces key provisions that would strengthen PUP’s governance, expand its degree offerings and establish the PUP Center for Artificial Intelligence, Computational Thinking and Key Emerging Technologies.

Founded in 1904, PUP has more than 20 campuses serving thousands of students. Its main campus is located in Sta. Mesa, Manila.