The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), created under Republic Act No. 7722 (the Higher Education Act of 1994), exercises regulatory and supervisory authority over all higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines—public and private colleges, universities, and specialized institutes offering tertiary and graduate programs. CHED’s mandate includes ensuring quality standards, enforcing policies on programs, tuition, faculty qualifications, student welfare, and institutional compliance. When an HEI, its officers, or its programs violate these standards, any aggrieved party may initiate a formal administrative complaint before CHED. The procedure is strictly administrative, governed by the principles of due process under the 1987 Constitution, the Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292), and CHED’s internal rules embodied in various memorandum orders and the agency’s Citizen’s Charter.

Legal Basis

The power of CHED to entertain and decide complaints flows directly from Section 8 of R.A. 7722, which authorizes the Commission to “promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of its mandate.” Complementary legal anchors include:

CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 46, Series of 2012 (Policy-Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance in Philippine Higher Education);
CMO No. 15, Series of 2019 (Policies, Standards and Guidelines on Student Affairs and Services);
The Revised Rules of Procedure of the Commission on Higher Education (internal procedural rules);
General principles of administrative due process under Section 2, Article III of the 1987 Constitution and Book VII of the Administrative Code of 1987.

CHED exercises quasi-judicial functions when it investigates, hears, and decides complaints. Its decisions are appealable to the Office of the President or, in appropriate cases, to the Court of Appeals via Rule 43 of the Rules of Court.

Who May File

Any natural or juridical person with legal interest may file:

Students or their parents/guardians;
Faculty members, non-teaching personnel, or their unions/associations;
HEIs or their authorized officers (in cases of inter-institutional disputes or accreditation issues);
Professional organizations, consumer groups, or the general public (for matters affecting public interest, such as unauthorized program offerings or diploma mills).

Complainants must have exhausted available remedies within the HEI itself—such as the internal student grievance machinery required under CMO No. 15, Series of 2019—unless the complaint involves acts that are patently illegal, fraudulent, or beyond the HEI’s authority, or where resort to the HEI would be futile.

Grounds for Filing a Formal Complaint

CHED accepts complaints involving:

Offering of programs without government authority or permit (unauthorized programs);
Violations of minimum standards for curricula, faculty qualifications, facilities, or laboratories;
Illegal or arbitrary imposition of tuition and other fees;
Discrimination, harassment, or violation of students’ rights under CHED policies;
False or misleading advertising of programs or institutional accreditation;
Non-compliance with CMO requirements on enrollment, graduation, or issuance of credentials;
Malpractice in licensure examination preparation or fraudulent issuance of diplomas/transcripts;
Failure to implement CHED-mandated policies on scholarships, student services, or quality assurance;
Any other act or omission that contravenes R.A. 7722, its implementing rules, or specific CMOs.

Requirements for a Valid Complaint

A complaint is deemed formally filed only when it complies with the following mandatory requisites:

It must be in writing, verified under oath or notarized;
It must state the full name, address, and contact details of the complainant(s) and the respondent HEI/officer;
It must contain a clear, concise statement of ultimate facts constituting the cause of action;
It must specify the relief sought (e.g., revocation of program authority, refund of fees, imposition of fines, suspension or revocation of HEI authority);
It must be accompanied by all supporting evidence (affidavits, receipts, official documents, photographs, etc.);
It must include proof of exhaustion of internal remedies (or explanation why none was pursued);
It must be filed in the prescribed number of copies (usually original plus two copies, or as required by the receiving office).

Use of the official CHED Complaint Form is strongly encouraged but not mandatory provided the foregoing elements are substantially met.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Preparation
The complainant gathers all documentary and testimonial evidence. If the complainant is a minor or otherwise incapacitated, the complaint may be filed by a parent, guardian, or duly authorized representative with a special power of attorney. Multiple complainants may file jointly.
Filing
The complaint may be filed personally, by registered mail, or through an authorized courier at any of the following:
- CHED Central Office, Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City;
- Any CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) having jurisdiction over the respondent HEI.
  Electronic filing via the CHED’s official e-mail (when available under the current Citizen’s Charter) or through the CHED Online Transaction System is accepted in some regions, provided the complaint is scanned in PDF format with electronic notarization where required.
Docketing and Initial Review
Upon receipt, the Records Section or the designated receiving officer assigns a docket number (e.g., CHED-CO-ADMIN-CASE-YYYY-NNN). Within five (5) working days, the Legal Affairs Service or the Regional Legal Officer conducts a prima facie evaluation. If the complaint is sufficient in form and substance and falls within CHED’s jurisdiction, it is docketed as an administrative case. If deficient, the complainant is notified in writing to amend or supplement within ten (10) days; failure to comply may result in outright dismissal without prejudice.
Service of Summons and Answer
Once docketed, CHED issues a summons/notice to the respondent HEI or officer, directing it to file a verified Answer within fifteen (15) days from receipt (extendible once for another fifteen days upon meritorious motion). The Answer must address all material allegations and attach controverting evidence.
Preliminary Conference and Investigation
A preliminary conference is scheduled to explore the possibility of amicable settlement or simplification of issues. If no settlement is reached, CHED may:
- Require the submission of position papers;
- Conduct formal hearings (with opportunity for cross-examination);
- Order ocular inspection of the HEI’s facilities;
- Refer technical issues to CHED technical panels or external experts.
Hearings are public unless the case involves sensitive personal data protected by the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Resolution
After formal investigation, the assigned Hearing Officer or Legal Officer prepares a draft Decision for review by the CHED Chairperson and the Commission en banc (when required). The Decision contains findings of fact, applicable law, and the penalty or relief granted. Penalties may include:
- Warning or reprimand;
- Fine (up to the amounts prescribed in CMOs);
- Suspension or revocation of program authority;
- Suspension or revocation of the HEI’s Certificate of Program Compliance or institutional recognition;
- Recommendation for criminal prosecution when warranted (e.g., estafa or falsification).
The Decision is promulgated and served upon the parties by registered mail or personal service.
Motion for Reconsideration and Appeal
A party may file a Motion for Reconsideration within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Decision. If denied, appeal may be taken to the Office of the President within thirty (30) days. Final CHED decisions that impose disciplinary sanctions on HEIs may also be elevated to the Court of Appeals on questions of law or grave abuse of discretion.

Timelines and Costs

Under the CHED Citizen’s Charter, the entire process—from docketing to decision—should not exceed ninety (90) working days for simple cases and one hundred twenty (120) working days for complex cases, subject to extensions for valid reasons. Filing is generally free of charge; however, the complainant bears the cost of notarization, reproduction of documents, and personal service of pleadings. No filing fees are imposed by CHED itself.

Special Rules for Certain Complaints

Tuition Fee Increases: Governed by CMO No. 7, Series of 2016 and subsequent issuances; prior consultation with students is mandatory.
Program Closure or Phase-Out: Requires separate application and public hearing procedures.
Student Disciplinary Cases: CHED reviews only if the HEI’s decision violates due process or CHED policies; the internal grievance machinery must be exhausted first.
Accreditation-Related Disputes: Complaints against voluntary accrediting agencies are handled differently and may require coordination with the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines.

Effect of Filing and Confidentiality

Filing a complaint does not automatically stay the operation of the respondent HEI unless CHED issues a temporary restraining order or cease-and-desist order upon prima facie showing of irreparable injury. All proceedings are confidential until a final decision is rendered, except where public interest demands otherwise. Records are kept in accordance with the Data Privacy Act and CHED’s records management policies.

Enforcement of Decisions

CHED decisions become final and executory after the lapse of the appeal period. Non-compliance may result in the issuance of a writ of execution, withholding of government subsidies or grants, or referral to the Department of Justice for contempt or criminal prosecution.

The foregoing constitutes the complete, updated administrative procedure for filing a formal complaint with CHED as prescribed by law and agency rules. Strict adherence to form and substance ensures that the complaint is given due course and that the constitutional right to speedy disposition of administrative cases is observed.