TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) was established in order to produce 
efficient and well trained merchant marine officers who can favorably compare with marine 
officers of progressive maritime countries sufficient to carry the expanding international trade 
in times of peace and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in times of war and 
national emergency. The PMMA seeks to educate and train midshipmen/women to become 
qualified and competent merchant marine officers for shipboard and shore-based positions, in 
response to the global requirements of the expanding international maritime industry, 
competent and capable naval officers who can serve as naval and military auxiliaries in times 
of war and national emergencies and contributors to the improvement of maritime education 
and the pool of ship business managers through graduate school programs. 
As it is, majority of the cadets entering the PMMA come from bigger cities and 
provinces and it is high time that we ensure a more balanced composition of every “Class” 
that graduates from the PMMA. One way to do this is to, as far as practicable, select at least 
one incoming cadet from every congressional district every year.  
This way, aspiring cadets from far-flung areas are given a chance to fulfill their dreams 
of becoming merchant marine and naval officers.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 3, 2025
1:25 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY TO ADMIT AT LEAST 
ONE CADET FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT EVERY SCHOOL YEAR TO 
COMPRISE ITS FRESHMAN CLASS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) is hereby mandated to select 
at least one student applicant from each of the congressional districts in the Philippines to 
comprise the freshman cadet class of the school year following the enactment of this Act and 
thereafter, to ensure that the entire country will be represented in each graduating class: 
Provided, That a cadet must pass the entrance examination and comply with all the 
admission requirements of the PMMA: Provided, further, That for a province where there is 
only one (1) congressional district, at least three (3) cadets shall be selected therefrom: 
Provided, finally, That only upon determination by the PMMA that there is no qualified 
applicant from a certain congressional district shall a qualified applicant, irrespective of 
domicile, be considered for the said slot. 
SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PMMA shall, in consultation 
with the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned government agencies, 
formulate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 3. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act 
or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 4. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of instructions, 
rules or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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