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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to institutionalize the participation of our nation in the international 
exhibitions of the Venice Biennale.  
It is the policy of the State to prioritize arts and culture to foster patriotism and 
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development.1 
Though the Venice Biennale commenced its exhibitions in 1895, the Philippines 
started participating only in 1964 during its 32nd exposition through the endeavors of the Art 
Association of the Philippines (AAP) where the works of Napoleon Abueva and Jose Joya, both 
are now National Artists, were presented.  
After 51 years, the Philippines joined the Venice Art Biennale exhibiting a film entitled 
Genghis Khan (1950) by National Artists Manuel Conde and Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Shoal 
by Jose Tence Ruiz, and A Dashed State by Manny Montelibano, under the curatorship of Dr. 
Patrick Flores. We were invited again in 2022 where our theme was Andi taku e sana, Amung 
taku di sana / All of us present, This is our gathering curated by Yael Buencamino Borromeo 
1 The 1987 Constitution, Article II, Sec. 17. 
July 4, 2023
12:38 pm
8572




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION IN THE 
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE VENICE BIENNALE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale 
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Act”. 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared policy of the State to: 
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a. Recognize the important role of the arts  in  fostering  patriotism  and nationalism and
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promoting human liberation and development;
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b. Recognize the vital role of culture and the arts in democratic, pluralistic and inclusive
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nation-building;
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c.
Nurture, promote and sustain Filipino cultural and artistic diversity that mirrors and
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shapes Philippine economic, social and political life;
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d. Advance art as a form of expression and understanding and a force for achieving
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creative breakthroughs;
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e. Evolve, promote and conserve Filipino national art and culture that mirrors and shapes
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Philippine economic, social and political life; and
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f.
Promote and disseminate to the greatest number of people the talent and ingenuity
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of our artists.
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SEC. 
3.  The Philippine Participation in the International Exhibitions of the Venice 
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Biennale.— The country shall endeavor to participate yearly in the international exhibitions 
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of the Venice Biennale held in Venice, Italy. 
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SEC. 4. The Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee. — The Philippine Arts 
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in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee (PAVB-CC) is hereby created to oversee the 
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country's participation every year in the Venice Biennale exhibitions in Venice, Italy. It shall 
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act as coordinator and commissioner for the Philippine Pavilion in the Biennale exhibitions, 
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and lead in the following activities: 
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a) Manage the selection process for curatorial proposals;
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b) Coordinate the timely installation of the Philippine Pavilion in Venice and of the
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homecoming exhibition; and,
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c) Such other activities may be necessary for the execution of its mandate.
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The PAVB-CC shall be lodged in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
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(NCCA). When necessary, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall provide administrative 
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support through its foreign posts. 
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SEC. 5. Homecoming. — All Philippine Pavilion exhibitions shall be installed and mounted in 
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appropriate government facilities and exhibition spaces for at least one year for the viewing 
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and appreciation of the general public. 
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SEC. 6. Appropriation. — The initial fund of this Act shall be taken from the current year’s 
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appropriations of the NCCA (Proper). Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued 
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implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the date of 
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effectivity of this Act, the NCCA shall formulate the rules and regulations for the proper 
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implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full 
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force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause.— All laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and 
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regulations inconsistent with the foregoing provisions are hereby repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. — Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act shall take 
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effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of 
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general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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