NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. B. NO. 1323
oi Uic ^'■r
{ 
72 SEP 19 PI ;09
PAXEiVwD 6V._
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENTS FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Education and self-development are the cornerstones of progress for the 
country. The 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms this as it clearly states that “the 
State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and 
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote 
total human liberation and development” (Article II, Sec. 17).
Laws like Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality 
Education Act are admirable governmental efforts to recognize the importance of 
education for the less privileged and institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from 
other fees in state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges. In 
2019, we also passed Republic Act No. 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Act to 
give fee waivers for first time jobseekers when they apply for government documents 
that are usually required for first time job applicants.
However, aside from the financial burden in applying for a job, some 
graduates must still undergo professional examinations, which also places additional 
burden on graduates, especially indigent ones. For instance, the fee for the coming 
2022 Philippine Bar exams is Phpl 0,000.00.1 This is on top of the many other 
expenses these barristers have to shoulder during the review months before the 
exam.
This bill seeks to provide the missing link in terms of assistance in facilitating 
the employment of graduates. In addition to free tertiary education and waivers of
1 March 31, 2022. 2022 Bar: Applications to start on June 13; sched back to November. PhilStar. Retrieved from: 
httDs://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/31/2185058/2022-bar-applications-start-iune-13-sched-back-november (date last
accessed: September 6, 2022)


fees for applicable government documents, this bill grants qualified indigents free 
fees for professional examinations, upon presenting a certification of indigence from 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In recognizing that 
poverty should not be a hindrance to self-development and achieving one’s goal of 
having a better life for themselves and their family, this bill seeks to give a boost to 
indigent students by not having to worry about paying the examination fees anymore.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
n :<• of
ll SEP 19 P1 :09
SENATE
S.B. No. 1323
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENTS FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22 
23
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Professional 
Examinations Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to 
promote full employment and to provide equal employment opportunities for all. It is 
likewise the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will 
free the people from poverty through policies and programs that provide adequate 
social services and improve the quality of life for all. Pursuant to this, efforts should 
be made to ease the financial burden of aspiring professionals in the payment of 
professional and other examination fees.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following words 
shall mean:
a) 
Professional Examination refers to the licensure examination conducted by 
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and other certifying bodies of the 
government as a prerequisite to the issuance of a license to engage in a 
profession. It shall also include the examination administered by the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC) to qualify certain persons for government service; 
and
b) 
Qualified Indigent refers to a person who has no visible means of income or 
support, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence or basic needs of


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
his/her family, as may be determined by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD).
SEC. 4. Requirements for Availment. - For purposes of availing the benefits 
of this Act, an examinee shall secure a certification from the DSWD that he/she is a 
qualified indigent. Such certification shall be presented to the PRC, CSC or other 
certifying body, as the case may be, in lieu of the payment of examination fees; 
Provided, that a first time applicant may be entitled to 100% of the examination fees; 
Provided, further, that in the event that the examinee needs to retake the 
professional examination, he/she shall only be entitled to assistance equivalent to 
50% of the examination fee for the second take, and no other subsidy shall be given 
for further retake.
In the implementation of this Act, the DSWD shall also enter into an 
appropriate memorandum of agreement and coordinate with the Supreme Court and 
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for the proper implementation of this Act. 
For this purpose, the DSWD, the Supreme Court and the IBP shall issue the 
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SEC. 5. Reportorial Requirements. - For purposes of determining the 
effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, an Inter-Agency 
Committee (Committee) is hereby created with the Secretary of the DSWD as 
Chairperson and the heads of the PRC, CSC and other relevant agencies, the 
participation of which is deemed necessary by the Committee. The Committee shall 
submit an annual report, not later than June 30 of each year, to the President of the 
Philippines and to the appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, on the 
status of implementation of this Act, including the challenges encountered in the 
process of its implementation. Such report shall also include, as much as possible, 
the number of applicant-beneficiaries who took the Bar examinations administered 
by the Supreme Court.
The committee shall monitor the compliance of the concerned government 
agencies and may recommend to the proper authorities the filing of an administrative 
complaint against any person who refuses to comply with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 6. interpretation in Favor of the Appiicant. - In all cases, any 
ambiguity in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the 
applicant. No agency shall issue unduly restrictive regulations which will render 
nugatory the benefits provided under this Act. Such shall constitute an administrative 
offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.
SEC. 7. information, Education and Communication (iEC) Campaign. - 
The Committee, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the 
IBP, shall conduct regular information, education and communication (IEC) 
campaigns in order to inform potential beneficiaries of the procedures and guidelines 
in availing the benefits of this Act. As far as practicable, such IEC campaigns shall 
be made available in print, television, radio broadcast and online platforms, with 
appropriate translation into regional languages.
SEC. 8. Non-Duplication of Benefits. - Examinees who are already


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
receiving similar benefits under other laws and programs of the government shall not 
be entitled to the benefits of this Act. However, nothing herein shall diminish or 
decrease the benefits being received by the beneficiaries under pertinent laws, rules 
and regulations.
SEC. 9. Exceptions. - The waiver of fees under this Act shall not include 
those collected in connection with an application to take other examinations, such as 
specialization examinations administered by professional organizations, and the fees 
relating to the application for a driver’s license.
SEC. 10. Non-Authority to Charge Fees. - This Act shall not be construed 
as an implied authority for government agencies to impose or collect charges and 
fees in the discharge of their functions with regard the administration of professional 
examinations, if no such authority is already granted under their respective charters 
or other relevant laws.
SEC. 11. Appropriations. - An amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the respective budgetary 
allocations of the concerned government agencies, subject to the usual budgeting, 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Thereafter, an amount necessary for 
the proper implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - In addition to the 
rules to be formulated as provided under Section 4 of this Act, the Committee, upon 
proper consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall also formulate the rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, within ninety (90) days from 
its effectivity.
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative 
circular not consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,