UST has submitted a written explanation along with relevant documents to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) nearly a month after the commission ordered the University to explain its alleged violation of laws on teachers’ legally mandated 70% tuition hike shares.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 10, the University said the documents, which included letters of advice signed by the rector on the proposed tuition and fee increases, were submitted to CHED last March 27 to help resolve the queries raised by the UST Faculty Union (USTFU).
“On March 27, 2025, the University fully complied with CHED’s directive and submitted a detailed written explanation to aid in resolving USTFU’s queries. We trust that CHED will issue a fair and balanced opinion grounded in both law and equity,” it said.
Also among the submitted documents were certificates of intended compliance and certificates of compliance affirming the earmarked 70% share for salaries and benefits, comparative schedules of current and proposed tuition and fees, certification detailing the conduct and results of student and faculty consultations and lists of UST Central Student Council officers.
Last month, CHED issued a show-cause order to UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. seeking a written explanation of the University’s compliance over alleged violations on the allocation of tuition increase shares to faculty’s salary and benefits, the provision of a certificate of compliance and its public display.
The government agency issued the order after the USTFU had requested its legal advice and technical assistance on the administration’s refusal to release its P220 million hike shares from academic years 2020-2021 to 2023-2024.
USTFU’s letter inquired about the immediate disbursement of employees’ tuition hike shares, its release without a ratified collective bargaining agreement and the provision of institutions’ submitted documents related to their compliance and intention to comply.
The Dominican-run institution emphasized that there was no sanction or wrongdoing implied in the show-cause order, saying it was CHED’s response to the faculty union’s request and a “procedural mechanism” for institutions to respond and demonstrate their compliance with policies.
It added that it is “firmly committed” to releasing the allocated shares of the faculty for salary upgrades and benefits once an agreement has been ratified with the USTFU per its “long-standing practice.” The University also maintained that it is not legally mandated to immediately distribute the shares upon collection.
“Since the allocation and distribution of these funds are integral parts of the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) negotiations, it is prudent to await a ratified agreement that reflects mutually acceptable terms. This approach is fully aligned with the spirit and applicable laws and regulations,” UST said.
Discussions between the administration and the USTFU are ongoing with the mediation board of the labor department.
In a recent meeting, both parties reached an agreement on the benefits of the National Service Training Program, reduction of emergency loan interest from 6% to 4% and the faculty’s 11th and 12th month pay, which is to be renegotiated in June.
The faculty union still has seven pending requests, including the provision of full hospitalization benefits and sourcing the P26 million rank upgrade and salary restructuring from UST’s treasury and “genuine” longevity pay.
Only provisions on the hospitalization benefits and allocation for rank upgrades and salary restructuring remained unresolved for the University, according to the faculty union. F
