EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
87 3743 3

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP), Incorporated is a non-stock,
non-profit professional organization of computer engineers in the Philippines. It envisions itself
as the foundation of world-class Filipino computer engineers and the motivator of interest
towards excellence in computer engineering as the field of specialization. It works hand in
hand with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure quality undergraduate and
graduate education in the areas of computer engineering and in enhancing the
competitiveness of our graduates.

Just recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission has granted ICpEP the authority to
conduct local certification of Computer Engineering (CpE) graduates and professionals in the
Philippines in a form of examination or assessment which will be administered by the
‘Computer Engineering Certification Board, Incorporated. However, to ensure the protection of
the profession as CpE professionals, they would need more responsive and comprehensive
regulation for the registration, licensing and practice of professional Computer Engineers,
registered Computer Engineers, Computer Engineering Technologists, and Computer
Technicians.

As such, this bill is filed to address their needs.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFYS B. RODRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
87 8743 3

House Bill No.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR
THE REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER
ENGINEERS, REGISTERED COMPUTER ENGINEERS, COMPUTER ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGISTS, AND COMPUTER TECHNICIANS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

ARTICLE!
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Computer Engineering Law’.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. ~ As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
(a) Registered or Certified Computer Engineer - a person who is qualified to hold
himselfwherself out as a duly certified Registered Computer Engineer under this Law

and to affix to his/her name the letters "RCpE";

(b) Professional Computer Engineer - a person who is qualified to hold himself/herself out
as a duly certified Professional Computer Engineer under this By-Laws and to affix to
his/her name the letters "PCpE";

(©) Registered Computer Engineering Technologist — a person who is qualified to hold
himself/herself out as a duly certified Computer Technologist under this By-Laws and
to affix to his/her name the letters "CpET",

(d) Registered Computer Technician - a person who is qualified to hold himself/herself out
as a duly certified Computer Technician under this By-Laws and to affix to his/her name
the letters "CpTn";

(e) Computer - any of a variety of electronic devices that is capable of accepting data,
programs and/or instructions, executing the programs and/or instructions to process
the data and presenting the results;

() Information and Communications Technology - the acquisition, production,
transformation, storage and transmission/reception of data and information by
electronic means in forms such as vocal, pictorial, textual, numeric or the like; also
refers to the theoretical and practical applications and processes utilizing such data
and information;

(g) Industrial Plant - includes all manufacturing establishments and other business
endeavors where computer or computer-controlled machinery or equipment are
installed and/or are being used, sold, maintained, assembled, manufactured or
operated;

(h) Commercial Establishment - shall include but not be limited to office buildings, hotels,
motels, hospitals, condominiums, stores, apartments, supermarkets, schools, studios,
stadia, parking areas, memorial chapels/parks, watercraft and aircraft used for
business or profit, and any other building/s or area/s for business purposes, where
computer or computer-controlled machinery or equipment are installed and/or are
being used, sold, maintained, assembled, manufactured or operated;


() Consulting Services - as used in this By-Laws, shall include services requiring
adequate technical expertise, experience and professional capability in undertaking
advisory and review, pre-investment or feasibility studies, design, planning,
construction, supervision, management and related services, and other technical
studies or special studies in the field of computer engineerin,

@ Accredited Professional Organization - the integrated and accredited national
organization of Professional Computer Engineers, Computer Engineers, Computer
Engineering Technologists, and Computer Technicians.

‘SEC. 3. Nature and Scope of Practice of Computer Engineering Profession. —

(a) A Computer Technician installs, configures and analyzes problems of desktop
computers and software, and performs maintenance, service and complex repair of
computers and related peripherals;

(b) A Computer Engineering Technologist shall embrace and consist of all of the above
plus identifies, troubleshoots and resolves computer problems. Computer technicians
possess skilled knowledge and hands-on experience on utilization of different tools to
repair and maintain computer hardware, software, computer networks and internet
issues;

(c) A Computer Engineer shall embrace and consist of all of the above including any work
or activity relating to the application of engineering sciences and/or principles to the
investigation, analysis, synthesis, planning, design, specification, research and
development, provision, procurement, marketing and sales, manufacture and
Production, construction and installation, tests/measurements/control, operation,
repair, servicing, technical support and maintenance of computer and all associated
devices, products, apparatus, instruments, equipment, systems, networks, operations
and processes including information and communications technology (ICT), computers
networks, firmware, software development and applications, biomedical electronics,
robotics, cybernetics, biometrics, embedded system, microelectronics, FPGA, and all
other related and convergent fields; it also includes the administration, management,
supervision and regulatory aspects of such works and activities; similarly included are
those teaching and training activities which develop the ability to use computer
engineering fundamentals and related advanced knowledge in computer engineering,
including lecturing and teaching of technical and professional courses given in the
computer engineering curriculum and certification examinations;

(d) The scope and nature of practice of the Professional Computer Engineer shall
embrace and consist of all of the above qualifications plus the sole authority to provide
consulting services as defined in this By-Laws.

ARTICLE I
COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
SEC. 4. Composition. The Board of Computer Engineering shall be composed of three (3)
members. The members shall be selected from a list of nominees from recognized Regional
Chapters of the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP), Inc. The members
‘should not be affiliated to any institution or a review center in any form.

SEC. 5. Power and Duties of the Board. The Board shall exercise executive/administrative or
quasi-legislative (rule-making) or quasi-judicial (investigative) powers in carrying out the
provisions of this Act. It shall be vested with the following specific powers, functions, duties
and responsibilities:
(a) Supervise and regulate the practice of computer engineering in the Philippines;
(b) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for registration with or
without licensure examinations and for special permits;
(©) Prepare the examination questions in accordance with Section 24 hereof or
modifications thereof, prescribe the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights for
the licensure examinations; formulate or adopt test questions and deposit them in a


test question bank; draw the test questions at random through process of
computerization; conduct the examination; correct and rate the examination papers
manually or through process of computerization; and submit the examination results
to the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) within the period provided for by
the rules of the Commission;

(d) Prescribe, amend or revise the requirements for professional computer engineers and
subjects in the licensure examination or certification examination for registered
computer engineers, registered computer engineering technologists, and registered
computer technicians and their relative weights, subject to the approval of the
Commission;

(e) Register successful applicants for professional computer engineers and applicants
who have passed the licensure examinations for registered computer engineers,
registered computer engineering technologists or registered computer technicians and
issue the corresponding certificates of registration and professional licenses;

(f) Issue special permits to individual foreign computer engineers, computer engineering
technologists, and computer technicians for specific projects and for a specific duration
of time;

(g) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the computer engineering profession,
adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high
professional, technical, and ethical standards and conduct ocular inspection of places
Where registrants practice their profession, such as, but not limited to: circuits and
electronics, computing algorithms, computer architecture and organization, digital
design, embedded systems, system and network administration, professional practice,
information security, signal processing, systems and project engineering, software
design, occupational health and safety and technopreneurship, cyber security, neural
networks, data science, robotics, and automation and control. The Board shall
authorize the duly integrated and accredited computer engineering association such
as ICpEP and other registered computer engineering associations to render
assistance in this function;

(h) Promulgate rules and regulations including a code of ethics, administrative policies,
orders and issuances to carry out the provisions of this Act;

(i) Investigate violations of the Act and the rules and regulations, code of ethics,
administrative policies, orders and issuances promulgated by the Board. The rules on
administrative investigation promulgated by the Commission shall govern in such
investigation;

() Issue subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, to secure the attendance of respondents
or witnesses or the production of documents at and relative to the investigation
conducted by the Board;

(k) Delegate the investigation of the case to the chairman, a member of the Board or a
Professional Regulations Commission attorney (PRO attorney). If the case concerns
strictly the practice of the profession, the investigation shall be presided by the
chairman or a member of the Board with the assistance of a PRO attomey;

() Render decision, order or resolution on preliminary investigation or inquiry, on
undocketed cases and on docketed administrative cases against examinees or
registrants which shall become final and executory unless appealed with the
‘Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the copy thereof. The decision of
the Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the
procedure provided in the Rules of Court;

(m) After due notice and hearing, cancel examination papers and/or bar any examinee
from future examination; refuse or defer his registration; reprimand the registrant with
stern warning; suspend him from the practice of his profession; revoke his certificate
of registration; delist his name from the roll of professional computer engineers,
registered computer engineers, register computer technologist and registered
computer technicians for continuous nonpayment of annual registration fees and non-
compliance with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements;



reinstate or reenroll his name in the said roll, reissue or return his certificate of
registration. A decision of suspension, revocation of the certificate of registration, or
delisting from the roll by the Board as provided herein, may be appealed initially to the
Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. The decision of the
Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the
procedure provided in the Rules of Court.

(n) Administer oaths in connection with the administration, implementation, or
enforcement of this Act;

(0) Submit an annual report on the proceedings and accomplishments during the year and
on recommendations of the Board to the Commission after the close of each fiscal
year;

(p) Prosecute or institute criminal action against any violator of the Act and/or the rules
and regulations of the Board;

(@) Adopt an official seal;

(F) Coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education
Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Education (DepEd) in
prescribing, amending and/or revising the courses;

(8) Prescribe guidelines and criteria on the CPE program for professional computer
engineers, registered computer engineers, register computer engineering technologist
and registered computer technicians and renew their professional licenses after
compliance with the CPE requirements;

() Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to implement effectively
this Act. The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders or decisions issued or
promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval by the
commission; however, the Board's decisions, resolution or orders which are not
interlocutory, rendered in an administrative case, shall be subject to review only if on
appeal.

SEC 6. Qualifications of Board Members. — Each Board member must, at the time of his
appointment:

(a) Be a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) Be of good moral character and integrity;

(c) Be a holder of a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification
Card as a Professional Computer Engineer, duly qualified to practice as a Professional
Engineer in the Philippines;

(d) Be an active member (at least three years) of good standing of the Institute of
Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP);

(e) Be in active practice of the computer engineering profession for at least ten (10) years
prior to his appointment, either in self-practice, or employment in government service
and/or in the private sector,

() Must not have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any school, academy,
college, university or institution conferring an academic degree and/or
certification/accreditation necessary for admission to the practice of Computer
Engineering, Computer Technologist and/or Computer engineering Technician or
where review classes in preparation for the certification examination are being offered
‘or conducted nor shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the administration
thereof prior to taking his/her oath of office; and

(g) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The term of office of the Board members shall be three (3) years or
until their successors are appointed and qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for a
second term. Each board member is given a maximum of two (2) terms only whether
consecutive or not. Each member shall qualify by taking an oath of office before entering upon
the performance of his duties.


Vacancies in the Board shall be filled by the Chairman of the Board from the list of
recommendees by the Commissioner who were chosen from the list of nominees submitted
by the integrated and accredited association for the unexpired term only.

SEC. 8. Removal of Board Members. — Any member of the Board may be removed by the
President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner for neglect of
duty, incompetence, malpractice, commission or tolerance of irregularities in the
examinations, or for unprofessional, unethical, or dishonorable conduct, after having been
given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation

SEC. 9. Executive Officer of the Board. — The Commissioner shall be the executive officer of
the Board and shall conduct the examination given by the Board and shall designate any
subordinate officer of the Commission to act as secretary and custodian of all records including
all examination papers and minutes of the deliberations of the Board.

ARTICLE I
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
SEC. 10. Examination. - Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Law, all applicants
seeking to be registered and licensed or certified as Computer Technicians, Computer
engineering Technologists and Computer Engineers, shall be required to pass the
examinations to be given by the Board in such places and dates as the Board may designate
in accordance with the provisions under the CpE Law.

SEC. 11. Qualifications for Examinations. - In order to be allowed to take the examination for
Computer Technician, Computer Technologist or Computer Engineer, an applicant, at the time
of the filing of his/her application, must possess the following qualifications:

(@) He/She is a citizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country qualified to take the
examination as provided for in the CpE Law;

(b) He/She is of good reputation and moral character,

(c) For the Computer Technician examinations, is a graduate of an Associate, Technician,
Trade or Vocational course in computer or subject to the evaluation of the Board, such
equivalent and/or related formal or non-formal course or program from any school,
college, university or training institution recognized by the government or the State
where it is established, after completing a resident course or program of not less than
two (2) years;

(d) For the Computer engineering Technology examinations, has completed at least the
minimum three-year equivalent of a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
program according to CHED guidelines, or, subject to the evaluation of the Board such
equivalent and/or related engineering course or program from any school, institute,
college or university recognized by the Government or State where it is established;

(e) For the Computer Engineering examinations, he/she is a holder of a degree of
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, or subject to compliance with minimum
requirements to be prescribed by the Board, such equivalent and/or related
engineering course or program from any school, institute, college, or university
recognized by the Government or the State where it is established.

‘SEC, 12. Ratings. - The passing general average rating shall be seventy percent (70%) with
no grade below fifty percent (50%) in any subject.

SEC. 13. Release of the Results of Examination. - The Board shall correct and rate the
certification examination papers and shall release the examination results within fifteen (15)
days after the said examination.

SEC. 14, Qualifications and Schedule of Registration for Professional Computer Engineer. -
For new application as a Professional Computer Engineer, the following shall be required:


(a) Valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card as Computer
Engineer and has accumulated Continuing Professional Development points as
mandated in the existing CPD Law;

(b) Valid/current membership identification card from the Accredited Professional
Organization;

(c) Cettified experience record of active self-practice and/or employment either in
government service or in the private sector, in the format to be prescribed by the Board,
indicating the inclusive dates, companies worked for, description of specific
responsibilities, relevant accomplishments and name, position of immediate superior
for a period of at least seven (7) years (inclusive and/or aggregate), at least two (2)
years of which are in responsible charge of significant engineering work, from the date
applicant took his/her oath as Registered or Certified Computer Engineer,

(d) Three (3) certifications signed by three (3) Professional Computer Engineers attesting
that the experience record submitted by the applicant is factual.

Applications for registration as Professional Computer Engineer may be submitted anytime
to the Board.

The Board shall then schedule an en banc oral interview of the applicant for the purpose
of verifying, authenticating and assessing the submittals and establishing the competency of
the applicant according to rules, regulations and competency standards to be formulated by
the Board.

SEC. 15. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. - A
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to applicants who pass the Professional Computer
Engineers, Registered Computer Engineer, Registered Computer Engineering Technologists
or Registered Computer Technician examinations subject to payment of fees prescribed by
the Board.

SEC. 16. Registration without Examination or Grandfather's Rule, - Within five (5) years prior
the effectivity of this CpE Law, the Board shall issue Certificates of Registration and
Professional Identification Cards without examination to applicants for registration who shall
present evidence or other proof satisfactory to the Board,

The above submittals shall be accompanied by a certification from at least three (3)
registered Professional Computer Engineers vouching for the integrity, technical capability
and good moral character of the applicant. They shall satisfy the requirements in the CPD Law
and an active member of any recognized professional organizations relevant to their field

SEC. 17. Refusal to Issue Certificate. - The Board shall not issue a certificate to any person
convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude,
or to any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to any person of unsound mind.

SEC. 18, Professional Oath. - All successful examinees and all those who have qualified for
registration without examination shall be required to take a professional oath before any
member of the Board or any person authorized by the Board before he/she can be registered
and issued a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, and as a
prerequisite to practicing as a Professional Computer Engineer, Registered Computer
Engineer, Registered Computer Engineering Technologist, or Registered Computer
Technician.

SEC. 19. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration, and Professional
Identification Card. - The Board shall, upon proper notice and hearing, revoke or suspend the
validity of a Certificate of Registration and accordingly the Professional Identification Card, for
any of the causes mentioned in the preceding sections, or for unprofessional or unethical
conduct, malpractice, incompetence or any violation of this By-law and its implementing rules


and regulations, the Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards of Practice, or for
fraud, deceit, or false statements.

SEC. 20. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card. - The Board may, after the expiration of one (1) year from the
date a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card is revoked or for reasons
it may deem sufficient, entertain an application for a new certificate of registration from the
registrant concerned.

‘A new Certificate of Registration or Professional Identification Card to replace lost,
destroyed, or mutilated certificate or registration card may be issued, subject to the rules
promulgated by the Board, upon payment of the required fees.

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF PROFESSION

SEC. 21. Practice of the Profession. - No person shall offer himselffherseff in the Philippines
as, or use the title "Professional Computer Engineer’, "Registered Computer Engineer",
Registered Computer Engineering Technologist” or "Registered Computer Technician", as
defined in this Law, or use any word, letter figure, or sign whatsoever, tending to convey the
impression that he/she is qualified to perform the work of a Professional Computer Engineer,
Registered Computer Engineer, Registered Computer Technologist, or Registered Computer
Technician, without holding a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional
Identification Card in accordance with this Law.

SEC. 22. Prohibitions and Limitations on the Practice of Computer Engineering, Computer
Engineering Technologist and Computer Technician Profession. - Unless otherwise
prescribed by any supervening law, the practice of computer engineering, computer
technologist and computer technician shall be a professional service, admission to which must
be determined on the basis of the individual's personal qualifications. Hence, no firm,
company, partnership, association or corporation may be registered or licensed as such for
the practice of computer engineering, computer technologist and computer technician
However, persons properly registered and licensed as Professional Computer Engineers,
Registered Computer Engineers, Registered Computer Engineering Technologist or
Registered Computer Technician may, among themselves or with any other allied
professionals, form a partnership or association or corporation and collectively render services
as such: Provided, That individual members of such partnerships or associations or
corporations shall be responsible for their own respective acts.

SEC. 23. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards of Practice. - The Board shall
adopt a Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards of Practice for Computer
Engineers, Computer Engineering Technologists and Computer Technicians, which shall be
promulgated by the Accredited Professional Organization.

ARTICLEV
COVERAGE OF BOARD EXAM
SEC. 24. Scope of Examination for Computer Engineers, Computer Engineering
Technologists and Computer Technicians. - The examinations for Computer Technician shall
consist of written and/or practical tests covering subjects to be prescribed by the Board and
shall cover topics or courses specific to the practice of Computer Technicians. The
examination for Computer Engineering Technology and Computer Engineers shall consist of
written tests which shall cover topics or courses prescribed by the Board.


ARTICLE Vil
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 25. Appropriations. -The Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission shall
immediately include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding
of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 26. Separability Clause. — if any part of this Act or the application of such provision or
circumstance is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the application of such
provision to other persons or circumstances shalll not be affected by such declaration.

SEC, 27. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after thirty (30) days following its full
publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,