Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
PasayCity 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
Senate Bill No, 3172 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M, Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It has always been said that a college diploma is the most potent tool for one to 
be able to eke out of poverty, Thus, free tertiary education was in order and support to 
state-run universities and colleges providing free tertiary education poured in, The poor 
who dreamt of salvation from the chains of poverty now have a college diploma to pin 
their hopes on, 
It should be realized that finishing college is just one part of a much promising 
professional career. A college diploma may define the fitness and aptitude of an 
individual but it is the title as a registered professional which is the culmination of one's 
proficiency and competence, Thus, to complete the formula of a ticket to a rewarding 
employment either in the government or the private sector, one must have a diploma 
and professional license, A good employment is assured a college graduate but better 
employment opportunities are in store for those who are graduates holding 
professional licenses, 
The grant of professional license is only extended to select individuals who shall 
undergo specific examinations prescribed by law, To a regular graduate, the schedule of 
fees reqUired to take the examination are minimal but to some, particularly indigents 
who finished their degrees without spending a dime as scholars or as students in state 
run institutions, the fees may seem restrictive that they would forego taking the 
examination altogether for lack of funds to pay the exam fees, 
The Government should open up more opportunities to a better employment for 
those qualified indigents and in this line, this measure seeks to exempt them from 
paying the examination fees to government administered professional examinations, 
Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought 


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Republic of the Philippines 
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SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 31 7 2 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT PROVIDING A MECHANISM FOR FREE PROFESSIONAL 
EXAMINATIONS 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 "Free Professional Examinations 
Act of2012". 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to promote full 
employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment for all. Corollary to 
this is the concomitant responsibility of the state to ensure that there are no inroads that 
may effectively hinder the professional growth of the citizens. 
Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social 
order that will free the people from poverty through policies and programs that provide 
adequate social services and improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, efforts 
should be initiated so as we may afford the poor access to mechanisms that may expand 
opportunities for better employment. 
Sec. 3. Definition a/Terms. - As provided for in this Act; 
a) "Professional Examinations" shall refer to the licensure examinations conducted 
by Professional Regulations Commission leading to the issuance of a professional 
license. It shall also include examinations conducted by the Civil Service 
Commission leading to eligibility for employment to the government as a civil 


service professional or sub-professionals and the Bar Examinations conducted by 
the Supreme Court of the Philippines. 
b) "Qualified Indigent" refers to a person who has no visible means of income or 
support, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence or basic needs of his 
family, as may be determined by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD). 
Sec. 4. Requirements for Availment. - For purposes of availing of the benefits of this Act, 
an examinee shall secure a certification from the DSWD that he/she is a qualified 
indigent. Such certification shall be presented to the Professional Regulations 
Commission (PRC), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or the Supreme Court of the 
Philippines as the case maybe, in lieu of the payment of examination fees. 
No other fee shall be charged against the qualified indigent for purposes of the 
professional examination. 
Sec. 5. Limitations on Availment. Benefits of this Act may be availed of by a qualified 
indigent only once for every year. 
Sec. 6. Information, Education and Communication (lEC) Campaign. - The DSWD, PRC, CSC 
and the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Philippine 
Information Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC campaign in 
order to inform the people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of 
this Act. 
Sec. 7. Reportorial Requirement. - For purposes of determining the effectiveness and 
social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC and the Supreme 
Court of the Philippines shall submit an annual report to both Houses of Congress 
indicating therewith the number of parties who benefited from this Act. 
The report shall state in detail, among others, the geographic location, 
demographic characteristics and socioeconomic profile of the beneficiaries of this Act. 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days from the date 
of effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC and the Supreme Court of the 
Philippines shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper and 
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 


Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative circular not 
consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,