MANILA, April 18 -- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to look into reports of universities and colleges in Cagayan allegedly selling degrees to Chinese students for up to PHP2 million.

In a statement, Gatchalian said while he supports internationalization among higher education institutions (HEIs), allowing the proliferation of diploma mills in the country is unacceptable.

"Selling diplomas or degrees undermines our efforts to improve the quality of education in the country," he said.

If proven true, he said CHED must impose appropriate penalties or sanctions on HEIs and their officials who condone such practices.

"We should send a clear message to our country and the world: diploma...