Section 16. Penalties. —

In case of any violation of the provisions of this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by an institution, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, upon the recommendation of the Council, may bar the institution from participating in or benefiting from the programs of this Act, and from other programs of the Department, without prejudice to administrative and criminal charges as may be filed against the school and/or its responsible officers under existing laws.

Any school who shall refuse, as required under paragraph (1) (c) of Section 5, Section 8 (b) and Section 9 (b), to furnish copies of their audited financial statements to concerned sectors with whom they are having consultations prior to tuition fee increases, shall forfeit the right to increase their tuition fees, in addition to other penalties or sanctions as may be imposed under the preceding paragraph or by existing laws.