TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
2b JllP2 :29
Senate Bill No.
rr o o
uoo
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENTS FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Education and self-development are the cornerstones of progress for the 
country. The 1987 Philippine Constitution underscores this principle, as Article II, 
Sec. 17 clearly states that "the State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate 
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development."
Laws like Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Education 
Act, which institutionalizes free tuition and exempts students from other fees in state 
universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs), are 
remarkable and effective governmental efforts to recognize the importance of 
education for the less privileged. In 2019, Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known 
as the First Time Jobseekers Act, was enacted to support fresh graduates and first­
time jobseekers by waiving fees for the issuance of documents commonly required 
in job applications. This law aimed to ease the financial burden on first-time 
jobseekers as they begin their pursuit of employment.
Aside from the financial burden in applying for a job, many graduates are still 
required to take a professional examination to obtain their license to practice. This 
incurs additional burdens on graduates, especially on the indigents. For instance, the 
fee for the 2025 Philippine Bar exam costs P12,800.00 for each applicant.1 This is on 
top of the numerous other expenses that barristers must shoulder during the
1 Manila Bulletin. Online registration for 2025 Bar exams starts Jan. 8 - SC Published on 7 January 2025. 
Available at https://mb.com.ph/7/l/2025/online-registration-for-2025-bar-exams-starts-jan-8-sc (Accessed on 
3 July 2025).


months of review leading up to the exam, which may include bar review fees, books 
and other review materials, transportation costs, and more.
This measure seeks to support graduates in their transition to the workforce by 
facilitating access to opportunities that will enable them to build productive and 
meaningful careers in their field of choice. In addition to existing free tertiary 
education and waivers of fees for applicable government documents, this bill grants 
qualified beneficiaries with free fees for professional examinations, upon presenting 
a certification of indigence from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD).
Poverty should not be a hindrance to self-development and achieving one's 
goal of having a better life for themselves and their family. Thus, this bill seeks to 
extend the necessary aid to indigent students, ensuring that financial constraints and 
examination fees do not hinder their ability to acquire a professional license, build 
professional credibility, and advance in their careers.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
joe^illanueva9


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
25 JlJL 14 22 •-29
ULWv';;) iii
Senate Bill No. <^33
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENTS FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Professional 
Examinations Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to 
promote full employment and to provide equal employment opportunities for all. It is 
likewise 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. Pursuant to these, efforts 
should be made to ease the financial burden of aspiring professionals in the payment 
of professional and other examination fees.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined as follows:
a) Professional Examination refers to the licensure examination conducted by 
the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and other certifying bodies of 
the government as a prerequisite to the issuance of a license to engage in a 
profession. It shall also include the examination administered by the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC) to qualify certain persons for government service
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and the Bar Examinations conducted by the Supreme Court of the Philippines;
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and
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b) Qualified Indigent refers to a person who has no visible means of income or
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support, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence or basic needs of
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their family, as may be determined 
by the Department of Social 
Welfare and
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Development (DSWD).
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SEC. 4. Requirements for AvaUment - For purposes of availing the
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benefits of this Act, an examinee shall secure a certification from the DSWD that
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he/she is a qualified indigent. Such certification shall be presented to the PRC, CSC
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or other certifying body, as the case may be, in lieu of the payment of examination
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fees: Provided, That a first time applicant may be entitled to one hundred percent
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(100%) of the examination fees: Provided, further, That in the event that the
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examinee needs to retake the professional examination, he/she shall only be entitled
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to an assistance equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the examination fee for the
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second take, and no other subsidy shall be given for further retake.
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For the proper implementation of this Act, the DSWD shall also enter into an
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appropriate memorandum of agreement (MOA) and coordinate with the Supreme
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Court and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). For this purpose, the DSWD,
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the Supreme Court and the IBP shall issue the implementing rules and regulations
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(IRR) to carry out the purposes of this Act.
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SEC. 5. Reportoria! Requirements. 
- For purposes 
of determining 
the
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effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, an Inter-Agency
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Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created with the
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Secretary of the DSWD as Chairperson and the heads of the PRC, CSC, and other
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relevant agencies, the participation of which is deemed necessary by the Committee.
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The Committee shall submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines
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and to the appropriate committees of both Flouses of Congress. This annual report
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shall include the status of implementation of this Act, such as the challenges
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encountered in the process of its implementation. The said report shall also include,
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as much as possible, the geographic distribution, demographic characteristics, and
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socioeconomic profile of all applicant-beneficiaries of this Act.
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The Committee shall monitor the compliance of the concerned government


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agencies and may recommend to the proper authorities the filing of an
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administrative complaint against any person or departments/agencies that refuses to
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comply with the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 6. Interpretation in Favor of the Applicant - In all cases, any
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ambiguity in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the
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applicant. No agency shall issue unduly restrictive regulations which will render
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nugatory the benefits provided under this Act. Such shall constitute an
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administrative offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent
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laws.
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SEC. 7. Information, Education, and Communication Campaign. - The
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Committee, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the IBP,
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shall conduct regular information, education, and communication (lEC) campaigns in
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order to inform potential beneficiaries of the procedures and guidelines in availing
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the benefits of this Act. As far as practicable, such lEC campaigns shall be made
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available in print, television, radio broadcast, and online platforms, with appropriate
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translation into regional languages.
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SEC. 8. Non-DupUcation of Benefits. - Examinees who are already
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receiving similar benefits under other laws and programs of the government shall
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not be entitled to the benefits of this Act. However, nothing herein shall diminish or
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decrease the benefits being received by the beneficiaries under pertinent laws, rules,
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and regulations.
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SEC. 9. Exceptions. - The waiver of fees under this Act shall not include
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those collected in connection with an application to take other examinations, such as
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specialization examinations administered by professional organizations, and the fees
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relating to the application for a driver's license.
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SEC. 10. Non-Authority to Charge Fees. - This Act shall not be construed
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as an implied authority for government agencies to impose or collect charges and
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fees in the discharge of their functions with regard the administration of professional
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examinations, if no such authority is already granted under their respective charters
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or other relevant laws..
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SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current years appropriations


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of the departments/agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary 
for the continued implementation shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - In addition to the rules 
to be formulated as provided under Section 4 of this Act, the Committee, upon 
proper consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall also formulate the rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,