FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 696 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proposed bill puts into implementation the basic law of the land, such 
that the State shall "establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and 
integrated system of education relevant to the people and society." (Sec. 2 [1], 
Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution). 
Alsp Section 13 of Article XIV of the fundamental law of the land provides 
that: "The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, 
investors; artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and 
creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be 
provided by law." 
Pursuant to abovementioned Constitutional provisions, Congress on July 
6,1997, enacted into law Republic Act No. 8293, entitled: "An Act Prescribing the 
Intellectual Property Code and Establishing the Intellectual Property Office, 
Providing For Its Powers and Functions, and Other Purposes." 
Moreover, under the National Book Policy adopted pursuant to Republic 
Act No. 8047, otherwise known as the "Book Publishing Industry Development 
Act," it mandates "to respect and inculcate the concept of intellectual property 
ownership and to protect the rights of authors and publishers by strictly enforcing 
copyright laws and providing legal assistance to authors and publishers in suits 
related thereto," 
It must be noted, however, in spite and despite of various laws and 
regulations, intellectual infringement and piracy of intellectual rights are rampant 
in the country. The provisions of the laws are derogated if not circumvented. Due 
to these situations, the Philippines is under the watch list as one of the countries 
where intellectual property rights are ignored and piracy of intellectual creations 
is widespread. 
Along this line, this bill mandates the teaching of intellectual property 
ownership, particularly copyright law as part of the curriculum of all primary, 
secondary and tertiary schools in the country. 
Toward this end, it is imperative that the importance of copyright be 
imparted to our citizenry at an early age as well as later in life. It may be the 
desired precondition that may convert the Philippines into one of the knowledge 
based centers. 


With proper education it is hope that piracy will be curtailed and our laws 
will be strictly implemented. Finally, this bill if passed into law will reaffirm and 
ensure the country's commitment to the UNESCO Principle of Free Flow of 
Information and other related provisions as embodied in the Florence Agreement 
and in other similar international agreements. 
Senator 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 696 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE TEACHING OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP 
PARTICU,LARL Y COPYRIGHT LAW AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF 
ALL PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The teaching of intellectual property ownership, particularly 
copyright law is hereby required to be a part of the curriculum of all primary, 
secondary and tertiary schools in the country. 
SEC. 2. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) shall adopt the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 3. The funds needed for this purpose shall be taken from the 
appropriations of the Department of Education (DepEd) and/or the Economic 
Support Fund allotted to said Department. Thereafter, such sum which may be 
necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 4. All laws, orders, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,