EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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S E N A T E
s. No. 
323
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ML 10 A 9 '49
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT FILMS BY 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO FILMMAKERS WHO ARE GIVEN HONORS IN 
NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITIONS
Explanatory Note
The 1987 Philippine Constitution encourages the creation and promotion of 
outstanding and creative Filipino films.
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Article XIV, Section 14 provides that "The State shall foster the preservation, 
enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the 
principle in unity in diversity on a climate of free artistic and intellectual 
expression."
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Article XIV, Section 15 states that "Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage 
of the State. The State shall converse, promote, and popularize the nation's 
historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations."
The film industry is a potent tool for information gathering, dissemination and 
communication and as a catalyst for public opinion. It is a medium that projects a 
citizen's love for art as well as a mirror of our rich culture and a Filipino identity. 
Films are part of our Cultural heritage, no doubt. Tey are essential part of what our 
Constitution recognizes as artistic and historic wealth—again, it is wealth for our 
culture and of our heritage.
In recent years, the production of independent films by our esteemed Filipino 
filmmakers has been flourishing. In fact, several cinematic works were critically 
acclaimed while actors and directors had already been recognized in the 
international arena, including the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival, 
Venice International Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards, as well 
as appearances in Toronto, Utah, Brussels, New York, Warsaw and London. Brillante 
Mendoza is one of the most celebrated Filipino film directors, being awarded as Best 
Director {Prix de la mise en scene) for his 2009 film "Kinatay" in the Cannes Film 
Festival and a flurry of honors in the global film stage under his belt.


Last May 2016. Jaclyn Jose starred in Brillante Mendoza's Palme d'Or- 
nominated film "Ma'Rosa" where she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best 
Actress. Jose was the first Southeast Asian to be conferred with the award.
This bill seeks to further promote the production of Filipino indie films and 
provide support to filmmakers, including the aspiring ones, who operate on meager 
budgets to produce their artistic craft.
In view of the notable works of Independent Filipino filmmakers and show 
support to them, approval of this measure is fervently sought.
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CE POE


e ig h tee n th congress o f t h e
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E  
S. No.
<r1*» 'v
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Introduced by Senator Grao
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AN ACT
NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Vtte. -  This Act shall be known as the 
"Philippine
Independent Film Incentives Act o f 2019 .
Sec 2 Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to promote and
support the deveiopment and growth of the local film industry, in general, and the 
production of independent films. In particular. The State shall endeavor to d.scover, 
encourage, and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly 
articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic
integrity. 
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Sec. 3. Graiffs for Award-Winning Films. -  To achieve this laws purpose,
Philippine independent films that have been awarded the Best Film prize or its
equivalent including those that merited recognition for technical excellence in
respected international film competitions or cinema festivals shall be given t e
following incentives;
a) A grant of Five Million Pesos (Php5,000,000.00) to the film production or 
entity that produces the award winning full-length feature or documentaiy
film;


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b) A grant of Three Million Pesos (Php3/000,000.00) to the film production or
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entity that produces the award winning short feature or documentary film;
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c) Full tax exemption relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial
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exhibition, including those levied by local government units;
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d) The award-winning film shall be considered and shall have the honor of
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being give an automatic rating of an "A" film being granted by the Cinema
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Evaluation Board.
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Sec. 4. Eligibility for Grants. -  To be eligible for a grant under Section 3(a),
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films must be made by Filipino filmmakers who have not yet directed more than
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three (3) full-length commercial feature films. The total production budget for the
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full-length feature or documentary film should not exceed Three Million Pesos
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(Php3,000,000.00). The film length should be between 90 to 120 minutes.
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To be eligible for a grant under Section 3(b), the film must be made by a
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Filipino filmmaker. The total production budget for the short feature or documentary
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film should not exceed One Million Pesos (Phpl,000,000.00). The film length should
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not be more than 20 minutes (no minimum length).
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All films should not have been produced by commercial producers to
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guarantee the filmmakers' creative control over the film.
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Sec. 5. Implementing Agency. -T h e  National Commission for Culture and the
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Arts (NCCA) is hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and
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carry out the provisions of this act. The NCCA shall, within sixty (60) days from
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effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out and enforce the
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provision of this Act.
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Sec. 6. Appropriations. -  A special fund amounting to Fifty Million Pesos
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(P50,000,000.00) which shall be sourced from the funds of the Philippine
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Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is hereby created. Other amounts as
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may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, are hereby authorized to be
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appropriated from the National Treasury.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the act or the provision not otherwise affected
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shall remain valid and subsiding.


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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
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to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act, is hereby repealed, modified or
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amended accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. -T his Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,