House passes UP-DND accord bill

MANILA, Philippines — With 179 votes, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to institutionalize the agreement forged by the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) in 1989.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved House Bill 10171, which aims to institutionalize the controversial accord into UP’s charter, Republic Act 9500, in plenary session on Tuesday.

The measure bans the entry of state forces in any of UP’s campuses nationwide, except in cases of hot pursuit and similar emergencies, when they should still coordinate with campus security.

Once granted, only members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in proper uniform and with proper identification shall be allowed entry into the campus or the specific college concerned.

State forces can only serve search or arrest warrants after notifying the UP president, chancellor or college dean concerned.

House Deputy Speaker Eddie Villanueva – principal sponsor of the measure – expressed hope that its eventual signing into law would “foster idealism in the country.”