President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the measure strengthening the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and declaring it as the National Polytechnic University, Malacañang said Friday, citing non-compliance with key requirements.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Office Atty. Claire Castro confirmed that the President rejected the measure because PUP has yet to undergo a mandated assessment process outlined in a 2016 directive.

“Ang sinasabi pong bill ay na-veto ng Pangulo dahil nagkaroon po ng direktiba noon pa pong 2016 na dapat magkaroon ng assessment (The bill in question was vetoed by the President because there was a directive as early as 2016 that an assessment should be conducted),” Castro pointed out.

“At sa ngayon po, lumalabas na hindi po nagkaroon ng compliance para sa assessment ng nasabing paaralan. (As of now, it appears that the said school has not complied with the assessment requirement),” she added.

When asked about specific deficiencies, Castro said details were not provided but emphasized that the decision was based on a broader review of the institution’s qualifications and performance.

Despite the veto, Castro conveyed the Palace’s continued support for PUP and its development, pending the fulfillment of the necessary criteria for the enactment of the bill.

“Mananatili naman po ang Pangulo at umaasa siya na ang PUP po ay magkakaroon din po ng national university status kapag po na-comply po nila lahat ng mga requirements (The President remains hopeful that PUP will still attain national university status once it fulfills all the necessary requirements),” she said.

The Philippine Congress unanimously approved House Bill No. 11341 and Senate Bill No. 2669, collectively known as the NPU Bill. The measure seeks to amend PUP’s charter and elevate its status to a National Polytechnic University.

Once signed into law, PUP would have joined the ranks of state universities with national status, such as the University of the Philippines (UP), Mindanao State University (MSU), and Batangas State University (BatStateU).