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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9747 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM FOR FREE AND DISCOUNTED REVIEW CENTER 
SERVICES, REVIEW-NOW-PAY-LATER PROGRAMS FOR BAR EXAMINATIONS, 
AND ENCOURAGING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH REVIEW CENTERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many Filipinos aspire to careers in regulated professions like the legal 
profession but face financial barriers to accessing the necessary review centers 
for Bar examinations. The Bar Review Center Assistance and Accessibility Act is 
a legislative proposal designed to address these challenges by establishing a 
program offering free, discounted, and review-now-pay-later options for review 
center services. 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, in promoting social justice and equal 
opportunities, mandates that the State shall give priority to education, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development1 and that Congress shall give the highest priority to the enactment 
of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human 
dignity and to reduce social and economic inequalities2. These are the guiding 
principles for the crafting of this bill. 
The need for this bill arises from recognizing that financial constraints 
often limit individuals, particularly those with exceptional academic and 
behavioral merits, from pursuing Bar membership and legal profession. The 
1 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. (1987). Article II, Section 17. 
2 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. (1987). Article XIII, Section 1. 
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program outlined in the bill prioritizes individuals based on academic and 
behavioral merits, financial need, and economic status. 
To ensure the effective implementation of the program, the bill 
establishes partnerships 
with review 
centers 
through 
public-private 
collaborations. The Supreme Court (SC) plays a key role in developing, 
implementing, and overseeing the program. The bill also introduces variations 
in the program, such as free and affordable online review programs, to enhance 
flexibility and accessibility. 
This Act will: 
1. Promote equal access to Bar examinations by removing financial
barriers.
2. Help deserving individuals overcome financial hardship and achieve
their career goals.
3. Encourage academic excellence and positive behavior through
merit-based eligibility criteria.
4. Support economic development by increasing the pool of qualified
legal professionals.
5. Fulfill the State's constitutional mandate to promote social justice,
human dignity, and equal opportunities.
The bill underscores the government's commitment to leveling the 
playing field for individuals seeking Bar membership and legal profession, 
acknowledging the broader societal benefits of an inclusive and accessible 
review process. 
In light of the preceding, this bill's approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9747
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM FOR FREE AND DISCOUNTED REVIEW CENTER 
SERVICES, REVIEW-NOW-PAY-LATER PROGRAMS FOR BAR EXAMINATIONS, 
AND ENCOURAGING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH REVIEW CENTERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Bar Review Center 
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Assistance and Accessibility Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to promote equal access to Bar examinations by providing assistance to 
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deserving individuals who may face financial barriers. This Act aims to establish 
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a government-funded program that offers free review center services, 
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discounted rates, and review-now-pay-later options, taking into consideration 
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the academic and behavioral merits, financial needs, and economic status of the 
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reviewees and their families. 
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SECTION 3. Program Funding and Development. — The government shall 
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allocate funds to establish and sustain a program that provides free review 
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center services, discounted rates, and review-now-pay-later options for 
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individuals preparing for Bar examinations. The Supreme Court (SC) shall be 
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responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of this 
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program. 
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SECTION 4. Eligibility Criteria. — The eligibility of individuals to avail 
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themselves of the free review, discounted, or review-now-pay-later services 
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shall be determined based on the following criteria: 
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(a) Academic and Behavioral Merits: The program shall prioritize deserving 
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students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and 
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positive behavioral conduct. 
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(b) Financial Need: The financial situation of the reviewee shall be 
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considered, and priority shall be given to those who demonstrate a genuine 
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need for assistance. 
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(c) Economic Status: The economic status of the reviewee’s family shall be 
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evaluated, with the poverty threshold set by the National Economic 
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Development Authority (NEDA) serving as a reference. 
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SECTION 5. Program Variations. — The program shall offer various options, 
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including but not limited to: 
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(a) Free Review: Eligible individuals may receive entirely free review center 
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services. 
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(b) Discounted Review Rates: Qualified candidates may avail themselves 
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of review center services at a reduced cost. 
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(c) Review-Now-Pay-Later with Discounts: Individuals meeting the 
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eligibility criteria may opt for a review-now-pay-later program with discounted 
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rates. 
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(d) Review-Now-Pay-Later: The program shall also provide an option for 
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review-now-pay-later arrangements without discounts, taking into account the 
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financial capacity of the reviewee. 
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(e) Free and Affordable Online Review Programs: Developing free and 
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affordable online review programs can provide greater flexibility and 
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accessibility for students who cannot attend traditional review centers. 
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SECTION 6. Partnerships with Review Centers. — Public-private 
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partnerships shall be established to encourage review centers to offer 
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discounted programs or scholarships for financially challenged students. The SC, 
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in coordination with relevant stakeholders, shall facilitate and oversee these 
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partnerships to enhance the accessibility of review programs. 
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SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for implementing this 
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Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the SC shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
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guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that 
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may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying 
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other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or 
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provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation, 
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or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,