Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go manifested his full support and co-sponsorship of Senate Bill No. 514, a measure seeking to amend Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), emphasizing the need to further refine the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to ensure that assistance is granted to students who are truly in need.As one of the authors of the proposed measure, he underscored its clear objective.
“As one of the authors, the core intention of this bill is very clear: to ensure that the Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES allocation is granted to those students who are truly in need. Simula po nang nalagdaan ni former President Duterte ang Republic Act No. 10931 noong 2017, naging libre po ang tuition sa ating mga State Universities and Colleges.”
He described the enactment of Republic Act No. 10931 during the 17th Congress as a significant step toward equal access to education.
“Naging malaking hakbang ito tungo sa pantay na oportunidad at mas magandang kinabukasan para sa kabataang Pilipino. Milyun-milyong kabataan na po ang nag-benefit mula rito, at inaasahan natin na mas marami pang matutulungan by expanding the capacity of schools. Ito po ‘yung nag-file din po ako ng bill na Expanded Free Tertiary Education.”
Go recalled that the passage of the law was met with resistance at the time. He explained that fiscal concerns were raised during Cabinet deliberations.
He further recounted that the measure nearly faced a veto.
“Itong batas na ito, muntik na nga po itong ma-veto, parati naman pong kumokontra ang mga finance managers tuwing may karagdagang gastos po ang gobyerno, pero bilang Special Assistant to the President noon, ipinaglaban natin ito at kinausap natin si Chairman Popoy de Vera na huwag naman sana, kasi mayroon nga pong free tuition or scholarship sa Davao noon na isang siyudad, eh mas lalong importante yan sa buong Pilipinas,” shared Go.
“I urged CHED to defend the measure and explain its importance. In the end, nanaig po ang ating ipinaglaban, we are grateful to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for signing it into law and making free college education a reality. Si Senator Joel Villanueva, isa rin po sa nakipaglaban,” Go recounted.
Despite the law’s enactment, Go said there is still room to improve access, especially for families burdened by daily expenses.
He emphasized that SBN 514 strengthens the targeting mechanism of TES.
“By strengthening the targeting and prioritization mechanism of TES, this measure ensures that government resources go to the right beneficiaries — the indigent, the marginalized, and the financially struggling students who would otherwise be forced to stop schooling.”
Under the proposal, indigent students will automatically qualify as TES beneficiaries upon admission.
Go also stressed the importance of eliminating favoritism.
“This bill is important because it strengthens transparency and accountability. We want to make sure that there will be no ‘palakasan system.’ Walang padrino, walang koneksyon, walang impluwensya. Ang tamang basehan ay pangangailangan at malinaw na criteria. Education assistance should never depend on who you know. It should depend on how much you need.”
Following his manifestation, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri placed on record his recollection of the events surrounding the signing of RA 10931.
He began by recalling the collective effort behind the push for free tertiary education.
“Mr. President, also for the record, we were altogether when we pushed itong libreng tertiary education noong panahon ni President Digong Duterte. And I just want to put on record, and I don’t want to lie when I say this, nung pinasa po nya yan kasi hindi pa nya napirmahan maraming nagla-lobby na huwag ipasa yan.”
Zubiri noted that lobbying efforts came from sectors within government concerned about funding.
“Hindi ko na babanggitin kung sino pero may nagla-lobby puro mga finance sector ng gobyerno, finance. Sabi nila, walang pera ang gobyerno para sa free tertiary education pero pinirmahan pa rin ng presidente.”
He then described his personal reaction upon learning that the law had been signed.
“Ako’y umiyak. I was on my way to the airport, and I was in a van in Cebu. And when I heard that he signed it, sumigaw rin po ako and napaiyak po ako dahil… I said, ” Wow, this is a landmark measure. I think this is a landmark measure for the presidency of then-President Digong Duterte. Napaiyak po ako sa tuwa.”
Zubiri emphasized that he had not expected the signing, given the pressure from some Cabinet members.
“So because I didn’t think na alam mo ‘pag dinidiktahan ka po ng mga cabinet members na huwag ipasa, i-veto, he stood his ground, and he signed it. So we have to thank the president for that, no matter what.”
Responding to Zubiri, Go affirmed the account and added details of the final hours before the signing.
“Totoo po yon Mr. President, Sen. Migz. Ipinaglaban mo rin po ito noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Totoo po yon, muntik na talagang na-veto yon at hindi natuloy. Isa ka sa nakipaglaban sa batas na ito at marami pong nakikinabang na mga estudyante.”
Go continued by recalling the specific moment when the measure was already for veto.
“Gabi na yon nandidiyan na yung for veto. Tinawagan ko si Chair Popoy, sabi ko sumulat ka kay former President Duterte, inabot natin yung sulat at kinabukasan yan na, okay naman po nagbago po ang isip.”
He reiterated that opposition from finance managers was common whenever additional expenditures were proposed.
“Usually kumukontra talaga ang mga finance manager but he stood his ground and alam ni Pangulong Duterte na napakahalaga po ng edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Salamat rin po sa ating majority floor leader, Sen. Migz Zubiri,” Go concluded.
