19 April 2024

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) thanks Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and other legislators for raising concerns involving some Chinese students in Cagayan who are allegedly paying substantial amounts of money to obtain academic degrees without fulfilling the necessary academic requirements.

In the news report of Inquirer published on 17 April 2024 entitled, “Some Chinese students in Cagayan allegedly pay P2 million to get degrees”, Professor Chester Cabalza of the University of the Philippines texted Inquirer and cited the stories of locals in the province, regarding the transactions amounting to P2 million, reportedly paid by some mainland Chinese students in exchange for higher education credentials.

This is a serious allegation that universities are accepting foreign students and are “being used as milking cows”. The Commission strongly urges Cabalza to formalize his complaint with the necessary evidence against St. Paul University Philippines in Tuguegarao with CHED. We will not hesitate to start an investigation and ensure that due process is observed for all involved parties.

In parallel, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that academic institutions under its purview operate within the bounds of Philippine laws and regulations and in concern with the nation’s interests.

(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education