SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PI'IILlPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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IIUG 29 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 141 0 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every year, controversy hounds the operation and management of the 
Metro Manila Film Festival. The original proceeds of the MMFF income which 
benefit the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowel Fund), the Film Academy 
of the Philippines and the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, are now being 
shared by other government agencies (i.e. Film Development Council of the 
Philippines and Optical Media Board) that are merely on-lookers in terms of 
operations of the MMFF. The proceeds can still be given to other government 
agencies at the discretion of the President of the Philippines. 
The root cause of this controversy is that the yearly implementer and 
organizer of the MMFF, which is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority 
(MMDA), does not come from the movie and film industry and as such, cannot 
relate to the real sentiments of the people working with the industry. The MMDA, 
in the first place, has no legal basis to operate and manage the MMFF as its 
charter, R.A. 7924 is silent on the matter. The predecessor of the MMDA, the 
Metropolitan Manila Commission, by tradition, manages the operation of the 
MMFF, but this function was not carried in the present MMDA charter. 
In order that the movie and film industry flourish and to address the 
recurring controversies every year, it is just but proper that the organization, 
operation and management of the Metro Manila Film Festival be transferred to 
the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowel Fund) and the original 
beneficiaries of the MMFF, with the proper allocation of proceeds, be retained. 
The urgent passage of this bill is thus needed. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PtlilLiPPINES 
First Regular SessIon 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1410 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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AUG 29 
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TRANSFERRING THE ORGANIZATION, OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT 
OF THE METR@ MANILA FILM FESTIVAL FROM THE METRO MANILA 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO THE MOVIE WORKERS WELFARE 
FOUNDATION (I\IIOWELFUND), AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policies - It is the policy of the State to foster 
the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture 
based on the p~inciple of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and 
intellectual expression. Further, the State shall conserve, promote, and 
popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as 
artistic creations. It is the commitment of the State to enrich Philippine culture, to 
reawaken the people to their historical heritage and traditional values, and to 
clarify the Filipino image, through the revival and refurbishment of native arts, 
among which is the Filipino cinema which should rediscover itself by upholding 
its inherent artistic and social responsibility. And finally, the State recognizes the 
value and importance of the local movie industry in the over-all developmental 
effort, encouraging quality film production both in substance and in form and 
providing incentives to the performing artists and the technicians in the industry. 
SEC. 2. Transfer of Organization, Operation and Management of 
MMMF -
To carry out the above policy, the organization, operation and 
management of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival shall be transferred from 
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to the Movie Workers Welfare 
Foundation (MOWELFUND). 
SEC. 3. Functions of the MOWELFUND. - In order to insure the 
successful celebration of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, and to harness 
the full potential of the movie and film industry to be a viable and profitable 
business enterprise and to accelerate preservation, growth and development of 
the motion picture art and science in the country, the MOWELFUND shall: 
a) Give due recognition, awards distinction, appreciation through the 
Metro Manila Film Festival and other forms of reward for significant efforts and 
accomplishments of the improved and development of the motion picture art and 
science in the country; 


b) Set up and administer a viable system of objectives to encourage the 
growth and development of high quality motion pictures in the country, which 
incentives shall include the grant of recognition to deserving individuals or 
entities who have contributed to the vital task and objectives of improving the 
quality of film-making or cinematic production in the country; 
c) Engage in fund raising campaign among all sectors of society to ensure 
successful operation of the annual MMFF; 
d) Collect the proceeds of the MMFF and disburse the shares to different 
beneficiaries identified in this Act. In relation to this, the Commission on Audit 
shall, among others, conduct an annual comprehensive audit of accounts and 
transactions pertaining to MMFF revenue and receipts, expenditures and uses of 
funds and property; 
e) Establish, operate, and maintain a Film Archive for the purpose of 
preserving and disseminating motion picture which are historical, cultural and/or 
aesthetic value of the nation; and Provide assistance and support for all efforts, 
activities and enterprises which are designed or envisioned to raise the standard 
of the cinematic art and science in the country in consonance with the cultural, 
scientific educational values and sensibilities of our people and our society, and 
in keeping with the country's social and economic development aims and 
objectives; add consistent therewith, to adopt and implement such measures as 
may be proper or necessary to ensure the success of such efforts, activities and 
enterprises and to obtain satisfactory results therefrom, particularly performance, 
and also in terms of cultural achievements. 
SEC. 4. Executive Committee. - An Executive Committee under the 
MOWELFUND is hereby created to take charge of the organization, operation 
and management ofthe MMFF, composed of the following: 
a) Executive Director of MOWELFUND - Chairperson; 
b) One representative of the different guilds under the Film Academy of 
the Philippines as members, to wit: 
1. Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association; 
2. Movie Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines; 
3. Kapisanan ng mga Direktor ng Pelikulang Pilipino; 
4. Kapisanan ng rnga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon; 
5. Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines; 
6. Film Editors Guild for Motion Pictures; 
7. Filipino Society of Cinematographers; 
8. Sound Technicians Association for Motion Pictures; 
9. United Film Musical Directors of the Philippines; 
10. Production Designers Guild of the Philippines; 
11. Assistant Directors and Production Managers Guild of the 
Philippines; and 
c) PNP Chief - Member. 
SEC •. 5. Metropolitan Manila Film Festival Income Distribion. The net 
income of the annual Metropolitan Manila Film Festival shall be distributed to the 
following traditional beneficiaries: 


a) Movie Workers Welfare Fund Foundation, Inc. - Forty percent (40%); 
b) Film Academy of the Philippines - Forty percent (40%); 
c) Motion Picture Anti-Piracy Council-Ten percent (10%) 
SEC. 6. J',ppropriation. 
- To carry out the purposes of this Act, the 
amount of TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for 
the initial operation of the MMFF by the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation 
(MOWELFUND). 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC.B. Separabiility Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected 
shall continue to remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. ~ffectivity. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,