MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned that students involved in serious offenses could be barred from enrolling in city-run colleges and universities under a proposed ordinance aimed at strengthening campus discipline and safety.

The proposal would expel students from Manila’s public higher education institutions, including the Universidad de Manila and the Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila, if they are caught bringing weapons to school, participating in riots, or are officially found guilty of bullying.

Domagoso said students found liable for bullying would undergo due process, which could result in their expulsion.

“I believe in the right of the individual, but we also have a responsibility to the people,” Domagoso said during the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel at the Luneta Hotel.

He said the proposed measure seeks to safeguard students, parents, and teachers, adding that those accused of committing serious offenses should be removed from schools while disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.

The mayor also pushed for giving teachers greater authority to enforce discipline inside educational institutions.

“Empower our teachers para magkaroon ng power ang teacher na makapagdisiplina ng mga students (so that they have the power to discipline the students),” he said.

Meanwhile, Domagoso said the Manila School and Community Safety Task Force will hold its first meeting next week.

The task force was created through Executive Order No. 29, Series of 2026, or the “Manila Schools Safety Initiative,” which he signed on June 24.

The initiative adopts a prevention-first approach focused on eliminating illegal firearms and armed threats, responding to credible warnings of violence, and improving emergency preparedness in schools and communities.

The task force has been directed to monitor potential threats to schools, public gatherings, and critical facilities, and to submit quarterly reports to the Office of the Mayor.

According to Domagoso, the initiative was launched in response to a series of violent incidents in schools that resulted in student deaths and injuries.