FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENAfl 
S.B. No. 
'147 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
I am a firm believer of Cine Filipino and I look forward to the day the Philippines 
wins an Oscar. 
This legislation is humble recommendation to enact a statute that will enhance 
and promote the dynamism of Philippine motion picture. It is aimed at encouraging the 
production of relevant films for a globally competitive cine Filipino. Likewise, this bill 
recognizes the achievements of actors who are all contributing to the propagation of the 
nation's artistic heritage. 
The last few years have witnessed the resurgence of Filipino cinema to 
prominence. Excellent films and a corps of competent actors are winning laurels for the 
country. 
National Artist Lamberto Avellana honoured the Philippines by winning its first 
Best Film prize in the Asia-Pacific Film Festival for Anak Dalita in 1956. It equaled the 
outstanding feat of Genghis Khan which was the first Filipino to be exhibited in Cannes 
Film Festival in 1952. 
The decade of 1970s signaled the golden age of Filipino cinema. The great 
auteur Lino Brocka and realist Ishmael Bernal marshaled the exposition of cine Filipino 
in the Director's Fortnight in Cannes, Berlinale, Montreal and San Sebastian Film 
Festivals, among others. Brocka's 'Ynsiang", "Jaguar': "Bona" and "Bayan Ko: Kapit sa 
Patalim"; and Bernal's "Himala" and "Manila By Night: City After Dark" are hallmarks 
of the era. 
Of recent, both mainstream and independent films are boosting the country's 
pride: "Magnifico" , "Ang Munting Tinig", "Maximo Oliveros", "Crying Ladies", "Kubrador", 
and "Masahista ", among others. 
An-lOngst Filipino actors, a substantial number are distinguished with fine 
performances recognized abroad. Nora Aunor in "The Flor Contemplacion Story", Cairo 
International Film Festival, 1995; "Bakit May Kahapon Pa?' in Penang Film Festival, 
1996 and the only Filipino actor nominated in the highly prestigious Berlin Film Festival, 
j, 


for "Himala", 1982, Vilma Santos, 2-time winner in Belgium, for "Dekada 70" and "Bata, 
Bata ... Paano Ka Ginawa? ", Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, International Festival of 
Independent Films in Europe, "Crying Ladies", 2004; and Cherie Pie Picache in 
"Kaleldo", Durban Film Festival in South Africa, 2006 and "Foster Child", Osian Cine 
Fan, 2007. Father and sons Dolphy, Eric Quizon and Epi Quizon scored an ensemble 
best performance award in Brussels International Film Festival for "Markova". 
Consistent with the tenets of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, on the "enrichment 
and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in 
a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression'" and that "arts x x x shall enjoy the 
patronage of the State"', the proposed legislation is highlighted by the following points: 
a) award-winning Filipino films given Best Film prize or its equivalent including 
those that merited recognition for technical excellence (achievements in 
adaptation or screenplay, story, cinematography, art direction or production 
design, 
musical scoring, 
editing 
and 
sound 
engineering) 
in 
respected 
international film competitions or cinema festivals are given cash prizes; 
b) Full tax exemptions relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial 
exhibition, including those levied by local government units (LGUs); 
c) The award winning film shall be considered and shall have the honor the 
automatic rating of an "A" film being granted by the Cinema Evaluation Board. 
The' actor recognized in international competitions are awarded cash prizes of 
one million pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) and the exemption in the payment of income tax, 
including value added tax for services rendered, for the particular year the actor wins 
the award. 
Cinema is a pure art. And the country's grand cultural treasure. 
2 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE· 
S.B. No. 2447 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION OF OUT-STANDING, WORLD-CLASS 
AND WELL-ACTED FILIPINO MOTION PICTURE, PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO 
FILMMAKERS AND ACTORS CLAIMING HONORS IN INTERNATIONAL FILM 
COMPETITIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The production of outstanding, relevant and well-acted Filipino films 
is hereby declared a policy of the State. For the purpose, award-winning Filipino films 
given Best Film prize or its equivalent including those that merited recognition for 
technical excellence in respected international film competitions m cinema festivals are 
hereby accorded the following incentives: 
a) A grant of five million pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) to the film production or entity 
that produces the award winning cinema. A grant of two million pesos (Php 
2,000,000.00) shall be awarded to winners of technical excellence which may 
include recognitions in adaptation and screenplay, story, cinematography, art 
direction or production design and other aspects of filmmaking; 
b) Full tax exemptions relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial 
exhibition, including those levied by local government units (LGUs); 
c) The award winning film shall be considered and shall have the honor of being 
given an automatic rating of an "A" film being granted by the Cinema Evaluation 
Board; 
SECTION2. An actor who wins an international award shall be provided the 
following prizes and recognitions: 
a) A grant of one million pesos (Php 1,000,000.00); 
b) Exemption in the payment of income tax, including value added tax for services 
rendered, for the particular year the actor wins the award. 
SECTION 3. A special fund amounting ·to fifty million pesos (Php 50,000,000) 
which shall be sourced from the funds of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
Corporation (PAGCOR) is hereby created. 
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• 
Other sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 4, If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other provision or section of this Act. 
SECTION 5, All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly, 
SECTION 6, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication ,in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
4