Palace: Marcos vetoed NPU bill over PUP’s low performance in 2016

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the bill proposing the creation of the National Polytechnic University (NPU) to strengthen the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated the primary reason for the veto was PUP's "low performance" in the 2016 State Universities and Colleges (SUC) leveling exercise, where it received only a Level II rating.

The PCO explained that this Level II rating was low compared to other SUCs achieving Levels III and IV. It further noted that a previous presidential suggestion for reassessing PUP's suitability for National University status had not been carried out. The PUP expressed strong disapproval, calling the veto a rejection of the need to expand access to quality public higher education.

Additional concerns cited by the PCO included the establishment of 14 PUP campuses via Board of Regents resolutions instead of through the legislative process, potentially creating expectations for National Government funding. The PCO also stated that granting PUP institutional autonomy through the NPU bill could weaken the Commission on Higher Education's (Ched) regulatory oversight over SUCs.

The PCO emphasized that achieving National University status requires demonstrating exceptional quality in faculty and programs, along with maintaining high academic standards in instruction, research, and public service – criteria PUP reportedly did not meet based on the 2016 assessment.