The University of the Philippines is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500, giving it institutional autonomy. Originally founded by the American occupational government on June 18, 1908, it was established through the ratification of Act No. 1870 of the 1st Philippine Legislatur…The University of the Philippines is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500, giving it institutional autonomy. Originally founded by the American occupational government on June 18, 1908, it was established through the ratification of Act No. 1870 of the 1st Philippine Legislature to serve as an "advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and arts, and to give professional and technical training" to eligible students regardless of "age, sex, nationality, religious belief and political affiliation."