NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1240
of t'j?
•22 AUG 31 A 9 -48
RECEIVED BY
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7104, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'COMMISSION ON THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE
ACT' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 9 Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution states, "The Congress shall 
establish a national language commission composed of representatives of various 
regions and disciphnes which shaU undertake, coordinate, and promote research for 
the development, propagation, and preservation of FiHpino and other languages."
Committed to making the Filipino language an effective instrument of national 
development. Congress enacted Repubhc Act No. 7104, creating the Commission on 
the FiHpino Language, known today as the "Komisyon sa Wikang FiHpino (KWF)."
This measure aims to amend certain provisions of RA 7104, otherwise known 
as "An Act Creating the Commission on the FiHpino Language, Prescribing its Powers, 
Duties and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes," to 
intensify appreciation of the FiHpino language, uphold and safeguard it as the 
country's national language, as weU as intensify the work of the KWF.
Languages are a vital part of our heritage and national identity. As a sign of 
respect for our history and culture, the Constitutional poHcy for FiHpino as the official


language and language of instruction should be implemented and promulgated. The 
KWF should carry out measures to further enrich the FiHpino language.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
OREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 1240
of tlj? ir-
72 AUG 31 A 9 :48
RECEIVeOBV,
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7104, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'COMMISSION ON THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE
ACT' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as the "Komisyon sa Wikang
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Filipino (Commission on the Filipino Language) Act."
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Sec. 2. Section 2 of the Komisyon sa Wikang FiHpino (Commission on the
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Filipino Language) Act is amended to read as follows:
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy
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Pursuant to the mandate of the Constitution, AND AS ENABLING LAW OF
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SECTION 6 ARTICLE XIV ON LANGUAGE OF THE 1987
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CONSTITUTION, it is hereby declared to be a policy of the Government to
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TAKE STEPS TO INITIATE AND SUSTAIN THE USE OF FILIPINO AS
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MEDIUM OF OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION AND AS LANGUAGE OF
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INSTRUCTION IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THROUGH THE
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PROMOTION, EVOLUTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND FURTHER
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ENRICHMENT OF FILIPINO AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE. TO THIS
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END, THE GOVERNMENT, AS SPEARHEADED BY KOMISYON SA
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WIKANG FILIPINO (COMMISSION ON THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE),
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SHALL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO CARRY OUT THE SAID
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POLICY.


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Sec. 3. Section 3 is amended to read as follows:
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows:
a. Commission - refers to the KOMISYON SA WIKANG FILIPINO 
(Commission on the FiHpino Language).
b. CHAIRPERSON - refers to the CHAIR of the Commission.
c. Filipino - refers to the national language of the PhiHppines.
d. Philippine languages - refer to the indigenous languages of the 
PhiHppines, including FILIPINO AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE; 
CAN ALSO BE CALLED NATIVE LANGUAGES.
e. OTHER LANGUAGES - REFER TO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, 
WHETHER OFFICIAL OR NOT, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE 
INFLUENCED THE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND CULTURES 
TO A CERTAIN DEGREE.
f. ETHNOLINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES - refer to certain geographical 
areas where particular groups of people speak a common language.
g. DiscipHnes - refer to various fields of learning.
h. MEDIUM OF OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION - REFERS TO A 
LANGUAGE ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS THE 
LANGUAGE THAT IT USES IN ITS TRANSACTIONS
1 LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION - REFERS TO A LANGUAGE 
ADOPTED BY THE LEARNING INSTITUTION AS THE 
LANGUAGE THAT IT USES IN ITS EDUCATIONAL 
INSTRUCTION
j. 
SYSTEM OF EDUCATION - REFERS TO ALL LEVELS OF 
EDUCATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BASIC 
EDUCATION, SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND TERTIARY 
EDUCATION.
k. ENDANGERED LANGUAGE - REFERS TO A PHILIPPINE 
LANGUAGE THAT IS AT RISK OF VANISHING ACCORDING TO 
FACTORS SET OUT BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.


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Sec. 4. Section 4 is amended to read as follows:
Section 4. Creation of the KOMISYON SA WIKANG FILIPINO (Commission 
on the Filipino Language). -
There is hereby created a commission, to be known as 
the KOMISYON SA WIKANG FILIPINO (Commission on the 
Filipino Language), composed of representatives OF THE TWO 
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT and various ethnolinguistic groups, 
and different disciplines, which shall undertake, coordinate and 
promote researches for the development, propagation and preservation 
of Fihpino and other Philippine languages [and-which shall be directly 
under the Officer of the President].
IT IS THE PRIMARY POLICYMAKING AND COORDINATING 
BODY ON LANGUAGE CONCERNS AND WHICH SHALL BE 
DIRECTLY UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.
THE KWF (CFL) SHALL BE THE OVERALL MONITORING BODY 
AND OVERSIGHT AGENCY TO ENSURE THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT. THE KWF (CFL) SHALL ALSO 
LEAD IN ENSURING THAT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE 
CAPACITATED ON THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THIS ACT.
TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE KWF (CFL) SHALL INFLUENCE 
THE SYSTEMS, PROCESSES, AND PROCEDURES OF THE 
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF 
GOVERNMENT VIS-A-VIS LANGUAGE POLICIES TO ENSURE 
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.
TO UNDERTAKE AND ACCOMPLISH ITS FUNCTIONS, THE KWF 
(CFL) SHALL REVISE ITS STRUCTURE AND STAFFING 
PATTERN, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SENTRO SA 
SALIN AND SENTRO NG WIKA AT KULTURA, WITH THE 
ASSISTANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND 
MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.


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Sec. 5. Section 5 is amended to read as follows:
Section 5. Composition of the Commission. -
The Commission shall be composed of NINE (9) COMMISSIONERS, 
ONE OF WHOM SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR.
THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL INCLUDE TWO (2) 
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONGRESS (1) SENATE 
CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, ARTS, 
AND CULTURE; 2) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND 
CULTURE; AND ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXECUTIVE 
BRANCH: THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE PRESIDENT, OR 
HIS DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE WHO SHALL BE NO 
LESS THAN UNDERSECRETARY LEVEL OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
PRESIDENT OR THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT.
THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS SHALL REPRESENT PHILIPPINE 
LANGUAGES: (4) ANY OF THE LANGUAGES OF LUZON, (5) ANY 
OF THE LANGUAGES OF VISAYAS, 6) ANY OF THE LANGUAGES 
OF MUSLIM FILIPINOS, (7) THE NORTHERN CULTURAL 
COMMUNITIES; (8) THE SOUTHERN CULTURAL 
COMMUNITIES; AND SUCH OTHER PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES 
AS THE COMMISSION MAY DECIDE UPON; (9) TAGALOG AS 
THE BASE LANGUAGE OF FILIPINO; PROVIDED, THAT AT 
LEAST FOUR (4) OF THESE COMMISSIONERS SHALL ALSO 
REPRESENT VARIOUS DISCIPLINES.
THE CHAIR AND TWO (2) OF THE COMMISSIONERS, 
REPRESENTING PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES, SHALL SERVE ON A 
FULL-TIME BASIS; THE REMAINING FOUR (4) SHALL SERVE ON 
A PART-TIME BASIS AND SHALL ATTEND THE REGULAR AND 
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION.


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Sec. 6. Section 6 is amended to read as follows:
Section 6. Appointment and Qualifications of Commissioners representing 
Plulippme languages. -
THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE 
PRESIDENT FROM THE LIST OF NOMINEES TO BE SUBMITTED 
BY THE DIFFERENT ETHNOLINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES IN THE 
COUNTRY. THE PRESIDENT SHALL APPOINT THE SIX (6) 
COMMISSIONERS, THE CHAIR AND THE TWO FULL-TIME 
COMMISSIONERS. THE PRESIDENT SHALL LIKEWISE APPOINT 
FROM THE REMAINING THREE (3) COMMISSIONERS, TWO 
WHO SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF FIVE (5) YEARS AND ONE 
(1) WHO SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF 3 YEARS. IN 
THE ABSENCE OF THE CHAIR, THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL 
CHOOSE A TEMPORARY OR AN ACTING CHAIR FROM THE 
TWO (2) FULL-TIME COMMISSIONERS.
NO ONE SHALL BE APPOINTED AS COMMISSIONER UNLESS 
HE OR SHE IS A NATURAL-BORN FILIPINO CITIZEN, AT LEAST 
THIRTY (30) YEARS OLD, MORALLY UPRIGHT AND NOTED FOR 
HIS OR HER EXPERTISE IN LINGUISTICS, THE CULTURE AND 
LANGUAGE OF THE ETHNOLINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES AND 
THE DISCIPLINE HE OR SHE REPRESENTS.
Sec. 7. Section 7 is amended to read as follows:
Section 7. Terms of Office. -
FOR THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS 
REPRESENTING PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES, THE CHAIR and the 
two (2) full time commissioners shall serve for a term of seven (7) years, 
TWO (2) of the commissioners shall serve for a term of five (5) years and 
ONE (1) of the commissioners shaU serve for a term of 3 years.
The commissioners REPRESENTING PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES 
may be reappointed for a maximum of 1 term by the President.


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THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL SERVE AND CONTINUE 
TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS SHALL HAVE 
BEEN APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED. SHOULD A MEMBER OF 
THE BOARD FAIL TO COMPLETE HIS OR HER TERM, HIS 
OTHER SUCCESSOR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT 
BUT ONLY FOR THE UNEXPIRED PORTION OF THE TERM.
Sec. 8. Section 10 is amended to read as follows:
Section 10. Rules of Procedures and Meetings. -
The Commission shall adopt its own rules and procedures and shall 
hold sessions at least once a month or as often as the Commission deems 
necessary. A majority of the NINE (9) COMMISSIONERS shall 
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Sec. 9. Section 12 is amended to read as foUows:
Section 12. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. -
There shaU be AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR who shaU be appointed by the 
Commission for a term of seven (7) years and who may be reappointed for a 
maximum of one (1) term. UPON APPOINTMENT, AN EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR SITS AS NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD. The 
Commission shall determine the powers, functions, duties, and compensation 
of the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Sec. 10. Section 13 is amended to read as foUows:
Section 13. The Secretariat. -
There shall be a secretariat to be headed by the EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR. The functions, duties and compensation of its personnel 
shaU be determined by the Commission, upon the recommendation of 
the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Sec. 11. Section 14 is amended to read as follows:
Section 14. Powers, Functions and Duties of the Commission. -
The Commission, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Constitution, 
shaU have the following powers, functions and duties: 
a, FORMULATE A NATIONAL POLICY ON FILIPINO AS OFFICIAL 
LANGUAGE OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIUM OF


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INSTRUCTION, AND A NATIONAL POLICY ON PRESERVING 
AND REVITALIZING ENDANGERED LANGUAGES;
b. Formulate policies, plans, and programs to ensure the further 
development, enrichment, propagation, and preservation of Filipino 
and other Philippine languages;
c. Promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines to implement its policies, 
plans, and programs;
d. Undertake or contract research and other studies to promote the 
evolution, development, enrichment, and eventual standardization of 
Filipino and other Philippine languages. This will include the coUation 
of works for possible incorporation into a multi-lingual dictionary of 
words, phrases, idioms, quotations, sayings and other expressions, 
including words and phrases from other languages now commonly 
used or included in the lingua franca;
e. Propose guidelines and standards for linguistic forms and expressions 
in all official commimications, publications, textbooks, and other 
reading and teaching materials.
f. Encourage and promote, through a system of incentives, grants and 
awards, the writing and publication, in Filipino and other Philippine 
languages, of original works, including textbooks and reference 
materials in various disciplines;
g. Create and maintain within the Commission a division of translation 
which shall encourage through incentives, undertake and vigorously 
support the translation into Filipino and other PhiMppine languages of 
important historical works and cultural traditions of ethnolinguistic 
groups, laws, resolutions, and other legislative enactments, executive 
issuances, government policy statements and official dociunents, 
textbooks and reference materials in various disciplines, and other 
foreign materials which it may deem necessary for education and other 
purposes;
h. OBLIGE ANY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE, AGENCY OR 
ANY INSTRUMENTALITY OF GOVERNMENT OR ANY PRIVATE


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ENTITY, INSTITUTION OR ORGANIZATION TO ALIGN ITS 
LANGUAGE POLICIES WITH THE KWF (CFL) TO GUARANTEE A 
HARMONIZED APPROACH TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION 
OF THIS ACT;
i. Conduct at the national, regional and local levels, public hearings, 
conferences, seminars, and other group discussions to identify and help 
resolve problems and issues involving the development, propagation 
and preservation of Filipino and other PhiUppine languages;
j. Formulate and adopt guidelines, standards, and systems for monitoring 
and reporting on its performance at the national, regional and local 
levels; and submit to the Office of the President and to Congress an 
annual progress report on the implementation of its policies, plans and 
programs;
k. Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, its officials and 
employees and such other personnel as are necessary for the effective 
performance of its functions, duties and responsibilities; and dismiss 
them for cause;
l. Organize and reorganize the structure of the Commission, CREATE 
SENTRO SA SALIN AND SENTRO NG WIKA AT KULTURA AS 
LINKAGES, create or abolish positions, or change the designation of 
existing positions to meet the changing conditions or as the need 
therefore arises: Provided, That such changes shall not affect the 
employment status of the incumbents, reduce their ranks, decrease their 
salaries or result in their separation from the service;
m. ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHALL TAKE STEPS TO 
INITIATE AND SUSTAIN THE USE OF FILIPINO AS MEDIUM OF 
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION;
IL ENSURE THAT ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ALL 
LEVELS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, WHERE APPLICABLE, 
SHALL MAINTAIN THE USE OF FILIPINO AS LANGUAGE OF 
INSTRUCTION AS A REQUIREMENT OF ACCREDITATION 
FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON


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HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND
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SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
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o. COMMENT ON THE IMPLICATION ON NATIONAL LANGUAGE
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POLICY OF PROPOSED NATIONAL OR LOCAL STATUTES,
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REGULATIONS OR PROCEDURES, ISSUE ADVISORY OPINIONS
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AND INTERPRET THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
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p. ACT AS OVERALL MONITORING BODY AND OVERSIGHT TO
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ENSURE THAT ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ALLOT 1%
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OF THEIR MOOE BUDGET, ALLOTMENT LEVEL SUBJECT TO
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REVISION OF KWF (CFL), COA, AND DBM, TO THE
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IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.
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q. Perform such other activities which are necessary for the effective
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exercise of the abovementioned powers, functions, duties, and
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responsibilities.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
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Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 13. E./feclivilt/ Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
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the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,