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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.No. 
2937 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
IMPOSING RECIPROCITY AS A REQUIREMENT BEFORE ALLOWING 
FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PRACTICE THEIR PROFESSIONS IN THE 
PHILIPPINES 
TO 
PROTECT 
THE 
INTERESTS 
OF 
FILIPINO 
PROFESSIONALS AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As a member in good standing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation 
(ASEAN) and the family of nations, we should be ready to comply with our multi-
lateral obligation to allow the exchange and practice of professionals from ASEAN 
countries in our country, in preparation for the full integration of the ASEAN 
economies. 
Moreover, in order to broaden career opportunities for Filipino professionals, we must 
be ready to reciprocate the iniative of other countries to allow our nationals to practice 
their professions in other states, countries andlor territories. 
TIlls bill seeks to institutionalize the policy of allowing foreign professionals to 
practice in the Philippines but subject to the reguirement of reciprocity, as a measure 
to protect the interest of Filipino professionals. Under the provisions of this Act, 
professionals from other states, countries or territories shall be allowed to practice in 
the Philippines only if the country, state or territory where they are registered as such 
also allow Filipino professionals in the same field to practice their profession within 
their territorial jurisdiction on the same as the citizens/subjects of such foreign 
country, state or territory. 
In the long run, it is earnestly believed that this policy will prepare our home grown 
professionals to be at par with their international counterparts and help them become 
1 
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globally competitive. This representation believes that we are not only widening the 
opportunities of Filipino professionals who will benefit from this proposal but we are 
putting them in a place where they can learn more from their peers and counterparts 
from other countries, be it inside or outside of our country. 
Hence, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
AN 0 10 "8 NNY" ~IL~ANE8 I';; 
senato:·\"J 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
2937 
S.No. ____ _ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
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'15 S£P -7 P2 :44 
IMPOSING RECIPROCITY AS A REQUIREMENT BEFORE ALLOWING 
FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PRACTICE THEIR PROFESSIONS IN THE 
PHILIPPINES 
TO 
PROTECT 
THE 
INTERESTS 
OF 
FILIPINO 
PROFESSIONALS AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of 
2 
the State to protect and promote the interest and well-being of every Filipino licensed 
3 
professional in the country by way of placing them in a level playing field with their 
4 
foreign counterparts and at the same time providing a policy that will foster and provide 
5 
our own professionals the chance to expand their career opporunities both in and out of 
6 
the country. 
7 
8 
Sec. 2. Practice of profession by Foreign citizens or nationals; Requirement 
9 
of reciprocity. - A foreign subject, citizen or national may be allowed to take the 
10 
licensure examination or may be granted a certificate of registration/professional license 
11 
and professional identification card to practice any profession regulated by the Philippine 
12 
Regulations Commission (PRe) if the state, country or territory of which he/she is a 
13 
subject, citizen or national specifically permits Filipino professionals who are registered 
14 
and licensed to practice in the same regulated profession in the Philippines and who holds 
15 
a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card from the PRC, to 
1 


1 
practice their profession within its territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the 
2 
subjects, nationals or citizens of such foreign country. 
3 
4 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules aud Regulations - For this purpose, the PRe, in 
5 
consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor 
6 
and Employment (DOLE) and other relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall issue the 
7 
necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days upon the enactment 
8 
and effectivity of this Act and shall set the guidelines for the monitoring of the proper 
9 
implementation thereof. 
10 
11 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
12 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
13 
force and effect. 
14 
15 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, executive orders and other 
16 
administrative issuances and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
17 
this Act, are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
18 
19 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
20 
publication in the Official Gazette and at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
21 
circulation. 
Approved, 
2