UP Manila suspends policy on late tuition payments

MANILA, Philippines—The University of the Philippines-Manila administration has suspended a controversial “no-late-payment” tuition policy in the middle of a public furor following the suicide last Friday of a freshman who was unable to pay her tuition on time.

UPM Chancellor Dr. Manuel Agulto told administrators, some faculty members and student council leaders during a dialogue Tuesday morning that the policy was suspended effective immediately pending a review by the governing UP Board of Regents next month.

The Bof Regents, UP’s highest policy-making body composed of education officials and presidential appointees, is set to meet on April 12.

Agulto was expected to announce the suspension of the policy at a press conference scheduled Tuesday afternoon at the Philippine General Hospital.