BACOLOD CITY — AMA Computer College, Bacolod City campus is now facing sanctions and mounting public complaints after it prevented more than 100 Senior High School students from joining their graduation ceremony on June 24, 2026, despite paying fees and having government vouchers.
The affected group includes the valedictorian and honor students, who were only notified two days before the event.
Authorities at the same time confirmed that the school in question has been operating without a valid business permit for the current year.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said that the city government has received appeals from parents representing at least 98 affected learners, who expressed deep frustration over being excluded from the rites.
Following a formal assessment by Bacolod Schools Division Superintendent Officer in Charge Dennis Develos, the Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a Notice of Violation against the institution.
During a joint meeting with the City Legal Office, DepEd officials explicitly requested the school administration to allow the barred students to march in the commencement exercises.
However, the request was turned down by the school management.
Gasataya pointed out that such action runs counter to long standing DepEd policies.
“Under our guidelines, students must be allowed to participate in graduation activities regardless of outstanding financial obligations. Schools are only authorized to withhold academic records and diplomas until accounts are settled — they cannot deny the ceremony itself. Payment issues should never be used to deprive students of this milestone," the mayor said.
Operating without complete permits
Adding to the school’s troubles, the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) has served a separate Notice of Violation for operating without a valid 2026 business permit.
Records reviewed by the city show a pattern of noncompliance: AMA Computer College did not secure permits in 2021 and 2022, managed to renew its license from 2023 to 2025, but its application for this year remains incomplete.
The permit is still pending because the school failed to submit required clearances from the City Health Office (CHO) and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro).
“If the school fails to comply with all requirements within the given period, we will not hesitate to issue a closure order. We apply the same rules to every business and institution operating in this city,” Gasataya warned.
Albee vows probe, calls for accountability
House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also issued a strong statement, saying the matter cannot be taken lightly.
“Those responsible will be held accountable,” said Benitez in a statement on Thursday.
He noted that initial reports suggest some students paid their graduation fees directly to the school principal, but these amounts were allegedly not remitted to the school’s main office — a situation he described as "unacceptable and alarming."
“I will look into this immediately. The school cannot simply wash its hands of this. The rights and welfare of our students must always come first,” he said.
To address the issue beyond the local incident, Benitez announced he will file a resolution seeking a comprehensive review of the accountability of educational institutions nationwide.
The inquiry aims to identify gaps in existing laws, strengthen safeguards for students and personnel, and ensure schools maintain high standards of transparency, safety, and integrity.
As of press time, the administration of AMA Computer College has yet to release an official statement or respond to the complaints and violations filed against it.