FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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First Regular Sessioa 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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JI /I_ -3 i'6 '7'2 
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SENATE 
S. B. No. 910 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
We have recently witnessed controversial, even sensational cases of art 
forgeries. Since art belongs to that realm which is within the purview of what 
we call 'intellectual property', theft of art is one of the most difficult to 
prosecute or even ascertain. 
This bill aims to give more exacting definitions to the crime of art 
forgery. This would eliminate much confusion as it clearly spells out the 
specific act that would constitute art forgery. 
This bill also seeks to create an Art Authentication Board composed of 
a Chairman and four members which shall authenticate the works of art so 
as to ascertain their originality. It shall have the authority to certify works of 
art for registration as mandated by the intellectual property law. 
What this bill would seek to accomplish is to erase most of the 
vagueness, misinterpretations and loopholes that have plagued cases of art 
forgeries for years. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
EDGARDO 
w /A 
J. ANGARA 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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7 
, j \ \ L - j  ~ 6 : : 1 5  
SENATE 
S.B.No. 910 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF ART FORGERY, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREOF AND CREATING THE ART 
AUTHENTICATION BOARD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Art 
Forgeries Act of 2007” 
SECTION 2. DecZaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the state to protect, conserve, develop and promote, the nation’s cultural 
heritage, artistic creations and resources. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - 
(a) ‘Work of Art” - all original works of art like paintings, sculpture, 
drawings, and art work produced in multiples such as graphic and 
photographic works and sculpture casts, but shall not include 
works intended to be mass-produced for commercial use. 
(b) “Art Dealer” - any person or entity who sells or otherwise deals in 
works of fine art for profit or gain, such as art galleries, art brokers 
and agents. 
SECTION 4. Art Forgeries. - Art forgeries are committed by any 
person or entity who commits any of the following acts: 
(a) Affixing or causing to appear an usurped or forged signature or sign 
on any work of fine art; 
(b) Counterfeiting or imitating any original signature or sign, with 
intent to deceive the public or the buyer as to the authorship of a 
work of art; 
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(c) Selling, or circulating any work of fine art bearing forged or 
usurped signatures or signs; 
(d) Imitating or reproducing any work of fine art with intent to deceive 
the public or the buyer as to the authenticity of the work. 
SECTION 5. Art Authentication Board. -There is hereby created a 
Board, to be known as the Art Authentication Board, composed of .a 
Chairman and four (4) members, who shall be appointed by the President of 
the Philippines in consultation with the Presidential Commission on, Culture 
and Arts. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business. 
The Board shall decide by a majority vote of all its members. In case only 
three (3) members are present, the vote must be unanimous. Members of the 
Board shall each be entitled to a per diem and transportation allowances of 
Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) for each Board meeting actually attended by 
them, but not to exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) a month. 
SECTION 6. Qualification. -The Chairman and the Members of the 
Board must be citizens of the Philippines, at least twenty five years of age on 
the day of their appointment, of proven competence, integrity, probity and 
independence of mind, and holders of a Degree or equivalent training and 
experience in art conversation, art history, or visual arts. 
SECTION 7. Tenure of Office. -The Chairman and the members 
shall be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years. Appointment 
to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. 
SECTION 8. Prohibition. - No member shall directly or indirectly 
engage in any business dealing with work of fine art such as, but not limited 
to, art galleries and art dealerships. 
SECTION 9. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) To verify and certify as original any work of fine art submitted to it 
for authentication, and to issue the corresponding certificates of 
authentication; 
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@) Upon proper verification, to accept for registration of all original 
works of fine art submitted by the creator or author; 
(c) To impose and collect authentication and registration fees, and 
other appropriate fees as it may prescribe; 
(d) To accredit art galleries and art dealers subject to the rules and 
regulations prescribed by the Board; 
(e) To initiate investigation and recommend prosecution of all persons 
who may have violated the provisions of this Act; 
(0 To promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation 
of the provisions of this Act; 
(g) To impose fines and sanctions for violation of its rules and 
regulations; 
(h)To perform such other acts as may be necessary to carry out the 
objectives and purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 10. Penalties. - Any person who commits any of the acts 
enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of 
not less than six(6) years nor more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not 
less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) nor more than Fifty Thousand 
Pesos (P50,OOO.OO). 
If the acts are committed by a corporation, partnership, or any other 
judicial entity, the penalty provided herein shall be imposed on its chief 
executive officer and/or other officials responsible therefor. If the acts are 
committed by the art dealers or the owners or operators of art galleries, they 
shall suffer, in addition to the penalties provided, the automatic revocation of 
their license to operate such. 
SECTION 11. Transfer of Functions. - All existing offices 
performing exclusively the same functions and powers as the Board are 
hereby abolished, and their powers, functions, funds, appropriations, records, 
equipment and other properties shall be transferred to the Board. Personnel 
of said abolished offices shall as far as practicable be absorbed by the Board. 
For those who may be separated from the service by reason of the 
implementation of this Act., they shall be entitled to separation benefits 
provided for by existing laws. The panel of experts created under Republic 
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Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 374, shall continue to exist 
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for the sole purpose of authenticating works of art to be donated to the 
national Museum. 
SECTION 12. Appropriation - - For the operations of the Board, 
there is hereby appropriated the sum of Five Million Pesos ( P5,000,000.00) 
annually which shall form part of the budget of the Office of the President. 
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid other provisions hereof which 
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, 
decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof, contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. - Thus Act shall take effect after 
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the official Gazette or in at least 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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