NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
I':;: n
of thefe. C-
24 MftY 15 P 3 :16
S. No.
SENATE
2679
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ALLOWING FOREIGN NATIONALS TO TAKE LOCAL LICENSURE 
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE R.A. NO. 8981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "PRC MODERNIZATION
ACT OF 2000"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Our country takes pride in providing international quality English-language 
education in our institutions for higher learning. This allows for schools to attract 
foreign students and elevate the status of their institutions by catering to a diverse 
studentry and promoting international exchange of knowledge and ideas.
One such vocation is the medical education in our country. Over the past 
decades, many international students have opted to take their medical training here 
with the hopes of returning home with their degrees which would allow them to 
practice their profession in their domicile. However, proliferation of substandard and 
fly-by-night schools and diploma mills have led to some countries requiring their 
students to take the licensure examination in the country where they receive their 
degrees as proof of completion of their education.
This bill empowers the Professional Regulatory Commission to allow foreign 
nationals to take official licensure examinations here for certification of their 
professional training here. This, however, does not result in their being allowed to 
practice here, which shall be regulated by other laws.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LITO" M. LAPID
Senator 
ft


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.__ 2679
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24 may 15 P3:16
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1
2
AN ACT
ALLOWING FOREIGN NATIONALS TO TAKE LOCAL LICENSURE 
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE R.A. NO. 8981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "PRC MODERNIZATION
ACT OF 2000"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. A new Section 7A shall be inserted after Section 7 of R.A. No. 8981, 
otherwise known as "PRC Modernization Act of 2000" which shall read as follows:
3 
Section 7-A. Licensure Examinations for Foreign Nationals
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with Locally Obtained Degrees. - Notwithstanding the laws
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regulating the practice of profession by foreign nationals in the
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Philippines, foreign nationals who obtained the necessary
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degrees from higher educational institutions in the Philippines
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shall be allowed to take licensure examinations as provided in
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Sec. 7 (d) of this Act and shall be issued a corresponding
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certification of the result of said examination by the Commission.
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SEC. 2. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and
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issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof


1 
that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended,
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accordingly.
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,