THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
34 'L*d >/./ 
-*q; 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. Angara 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
We have recently witnessed controversial, even sensational cases of art 
forgeries. 
Since art belongs to that realm which is within the purview of what we 
call 'intellectual property', theft of art is one of the most difficult to prosecute or 
even ascertain. 
This bill aims to give more exacting definitions to the crime of art forgery. 
This would eliminate much confusion as it clearly spells out the specific act that 
would constitute art forgery. 
This bill also seeks to create an Art Authentication Board composed of a 
Chairman and four members which shall authenticate the works of art so as to 
ascertain their originality. 
It shall have the authority to certify works of art for 
registration as mandated by the intellectual property law. 
What this bill would seek to accqmplish is to erase most of the vagueness, 
misinterpretations and loopholes that have plagued cases of art forgeries for 
years. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
DGARDO J. ANGARA 


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TWELFTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
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11.: 
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S. No. 1083 
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Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. Angara 
AN ACT 
DEFINING THE CRIME OF ART FORGERY, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREOF AND CREATING THE ART AUTHENTICATION BOARD AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted bv the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Art Forgeries 
Act of 2001 
.’I 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
state to protect, conserve, develop and promote, the nation’s cultural heritage, 
artistic creations and resources. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - 
(a) 
Work of Art - all original works of art like paintings, sculpture, 
drawings, and art work produced in multiples such as graphic and photographic 
works and sculpture casts, but shall not include works intended to be mass- 
produced for commercial use. 
(b) 
Art Dealer - any person or entity who sells or otherwise deals in 
works of fine art for profit or gain, such as art galleries, art brokers and agents. 
SEC. 4. Art Forgeries. - Art forgeries are committed by any person or 
entity who commits any of the following acts: 


a) Affixing or 
causing to appear a 
usurped or forged 
signature or sign on any work of fine art: 
b) Counterfeiting or imitating any original signature or sign, 
with intent to deceive the public or the buyer as to the 
authorship of a work of art: 
c) Selling, or circulating any work of fine art bearing forged or 
usurped signatures or signs. 
d) Imitating or reproducing any work of fine art with intent to 
deceive the public or the buyer as to the authenticity of 
the work. 
Sec 5. Art Authentication Board. -There is hereby created a Board, 
to be known as the Art Authentication Board, composed of .a Chairman and 
four (4) members, who 
shall be appointed by the President of the 
Philippines in consultation with the Presidential Commission on, Culture and 
Arts. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business. 
The Board shall decide by a majority vote of all its members. In case only 
three (3) members are present, the vote must be unanimous. Members of 
the Board shall each be entitled to a per diem and transportation 
allowances of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) for each Board meeting 
actually 
attended 
by 
them, but not to exceed Five 
Thousand 
Pesos 
(P5,OOO.OO) a month. 
4 
SEC 6. Qualification. -The Chairman and the Members of the Board 
must be citizens of the Philippines, at least twenty five years of age on 
the day of their appointment, of proven competence, integrity, probity and 
independence of mind, and holders of a Degree or equivalent training and 
experience in art conversation, art history, or visual arts. 


SEC . 7. Tenure of Office -The Chairman and the members shall 
be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years. Appointment to 
any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. 
SEC. 8. Prohibition - No merqber shall directly or indirectly engage 
in any business dealing with work of fine art such as, but not limited to, 
art galleries and art dealerships. 
SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
a) To verify and certify as original any work of fine art 
submitted to 
it for authentication, and to 
issue the 
corresponding certificates of authentication; 
b) Upon proper verification, to accept for registration of all 
original works of 
fine art submitted by the creator or 
author; 
c) To impose and collect authentication and registration fees, 
and other appropriate fees as it may prescribe; 
d) To accredit art galleries and art dealers subject to t he rules 
and regulations prescribed by the Board; 
e) To initiate investigation and recommend prosecution of all 
persons who may have violated the provisions of this Act; 
f) To 
promulgate rules and regulations for 
the proper 
implementation of the provisions of this Act; 
g) To impose fines and sanctions for violation of its rules and 
regulations; 
h) To perform such other acts as may be necessary to carry 
out the objectives and purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 
I O .  Penalties - Any person who commits any of the acts 
enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment 
4 


of not less than six(6) years nor more than twelve (12) years and a fine 
of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) nor more than Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO). 
If the acts are committed by a corporation, partnership, or any other 
judicial entity, the penalty provided herein shall be imposed on its chief executive 
officer and/or other officials responsible therefor. If the acts are committed by the 
art dealers or the owners or operators of art galleries, they shall suffer, in 
addition to t he penalties provided, the automatic revocation of their license 
to operate such. 
SEC. 11. Transfer of Functions. - All existing offices performing 
exclusively the same functions and powers as the Board are hereby 
abolished, and their 
powers, functions, funds, appropriations, records, 
equipment and other properties shall be transferred to the Board. 
Personnel of said abolished offices shall as far as practicable be absorbed 
by the Board. For those who may be separated from the service by reason 
of the implementation of this Act., they shall be entitled to separation 
benefits provided for by existing laws. The panel of experts created under 
Republic Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 374, shall 
continue to exist for the sole purpose of authenticating works of art to be 
donated to the national Museum. 
SEC. 12. Appropriation- - For the operations of the Board, there is 
hereby appropriated the sum of Five Million Pesos ( P5,000,000.00) 
annually which shall form part of the budget of the Office of the 
President. 


SEC. 13. Separability Clause - If any part or provision of this Act 
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid other provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions 
of 
this 
Act are 
hereby 
repealed, amended, or 
modified 
according I y . 
SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. - Thus Act shall take effect after fifteen 
(15) days following its publication in the official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.