The College of Economics, Finance and Politics (CEFP) is a Level 3 AACCUP-accredited unit that offers academic programs in the fields of Banking and Finance, Political Science, Public Administration and Governance, Economics and Political Economy. The College envisions itself as an engine of change that will propel the University into the ranks of internationally recognized institutions of higher
learning in the ASEAN region, and deliver quality and socially responsive education. In 1961, then Philippine College of Commerce offered a degree program in economics under the Department of Economics and General Business (DEGB).[2]
In 1975, economics was made into a separate school under the Faculty of Economics (FE). In 1977, the FE was renamed Faculty of Economics and Finance as Bachelor in Banking and Finance began to be offered. In the subsequent year, the FEF was renamed the Institute of Economics, Banking and Finance (IEBF). In 1979, two new academic programs were offered, namely: Bachelor in Applied Statistics and Bachelor in Insurance. The driving force of the Institute at this time was curricular significance. Specialists in the bureaucracy were invited as program advisers in economics and statistics. In 1983, the IEBF was renamed into the Institute of Economics, Finance and Statistics (IEFS). In 1990, International Economics and Business Economics were created as major degrees. In 1997, the College of Economics and Politics was renamed as the College of Economics, Finance and Politics (CEFP). The Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines officially accredited all academic programs of the CEFP. Today, the CEFP has two Ninoy Aquino Professorial Chairs under the backing of the Philippine National Bank one in Political Economy and the other in Banking and Finance. Former Budget Secretary Dr. Guillermo N. Carague served as a past holder of this post. Former Dean of the CEFP and Press Secretary of the Philippines, Prof. Hector R. R. Villanueva, assumed the latter position. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary, Mar Roxas, held the Professorial Chair in Political Economy from 1998 to 2001. On 2003, the AACCUP conducted the first resurvey visit towards Third-Level Accreditation of the College.
