CHED issues show cause order vs PCU over several offenses

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday said they issued a show cause order against the Philippine Christian University (PCU) due to a number of offenses allegedly committed by the institution.

The show cause order, dated August 15, was released “following a series of offenses verified by CHED on its initial findings,” CHED said in a statement signed by Chairman Prospero de Vera III.

The Commission said the PCU allegedly committed the following offenses:

• Offering transnational higher education (TNHE) programs without the requisite government permit, in violation of Republic Act No. 11448, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 6, s. 2023;
• Failure to provide relevant data on its international institutional partners, i.e., notarized MOAs, accomplished activities, among others, in violation of RA 11448, its IRR, and CMO No. 6, s. 2023;
• Non-compliance with the prescribed faculty to student ratio for its Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management program;
• Posting public announcements about TNHE programs without the proper CHED authorization in violation of RA 11448 and its IRR;
• Partnering with institutions that are not recognized by their respective governments as quality higher education providers nor accredited by recognized accrediting body(ies) in its country of origin, in violation of RA 11448 and its IRR; and
• Offering shortened graduate programs through extension classes via distance education and online modalities without authority, in violation of CMO No. 27, s. 2005.

Due to these, de Vera directed the PCU to “immediately cease and desist” from offering and implementing programs that do not have a permit.

“To protect the public and pursuant to existing laws and regulations, PCU is ordered to immediately cease and desist from offering and implementing any and all programs for which it does not have official CHED permit, recognition or authorization to offer or conduct, including but not limited to, transnational higher education, distance education and fully online classes,” the statement read.

GMA News Online sought comment from PCU, but the university had yet to respond as of posting time.

CHED said its issuance of the show cause order was under the authority and upon instruction of the CHED Commission en banc, in accordance with Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 and Republic Act No. 7722. — DVM, GMA Integrated News