Republic of the Philippines
HOUSF OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

house ent wo, 8189

Introduced by: Hon. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr., Rodel M. Batocabe and Christopher S. Co.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The passage of this bill seeks to amend the RA 8981 or the Professional Regulation,
Commission (PRC) Modernization Act of 2000, by increasing the powers of the PRC to regulate
the establishment and operation of licensure examination review centers and similar entities.

The State has the mandate to protect the right of all citizens to quality education at all
lovels and shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all (Section 1, Article XIV
of the1987 Constitution). Pursuant to this provision, the State bas the obligation to ensure and
promote quality education through the proper supervision and regulation of the licensure
examinations given through the various Boards of Examiners under the Professional Regulation
Commission.

At present, there exists no regulatory framework or mechanism that oversees and
administers the establishment and operation of review conters and similar entities, The recent
cases of cheating, fraud, and estafa involving review centers have led to unfavorable effects to
the various professions, students, professionals, and the public interest and welfare, in general

There is a prevailing need to protect the public against substandard review centers and
unethical practices committed by some review centers. This can only be achieved through a
regulatory framework by the PRC, which is best equipped in enforcing the establishment and
operation of review centers and similar entities.

In light of these circumstances, the 7 passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Hon. CHRISTOPHER S. CO Hon. RODEL M. BATOCABE Hon. ALFREDO GARQIN, JR
p



TH CONGRESS

ular Session

HOUSF Bilt NO.- 3159

Introduced by: Hon. Christopher S. Co, Rodel M. Batocabe and Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr.

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PRC
MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2000, PROVIDING FOR THE INCLUSION IN THE PRC POWERS,
FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES THE REGULATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION
OF LICENSURE EXAMINATION REVIEW CENTERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 7 of the Republic Act No. 8981 is hereby amended to read as foilows:

“Sec. 7. Powers, Functions and Responsi

fies of the Commission. — The powers,
functions, and responsibilities of the Commission are as follows:

2K

(q) TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF REVIEW CENTERS AND
SIMILAR ENTITIES, WHICH CONDUCT: REVIEW COURSES ON LICENSING OF THE VARIOUS
PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS UNDER PRC JURISDICTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THE FORMULATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICIES, STANDA\ AND
RULES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF REVIEW CENTERS AND SIMILAR
ENTITIES:

{r) TO ISSUE ACCREDITION TO APPLICANT REVIEW CENTERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES
FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; NO REVIEW CENTER OR SIMILAR ENTITIES SHALL BE
ESTABLISHED AND/OR OPERATE REVIEW CLASSES WITHOUT THE ISSUANCE OF THE
NECESSARY PERMITS OR AUTHORIZATIONS TO CONDUCT REVIEW CLASSES;

{s) TO SUPERVISE, MONITOR, AND EVALUATE THE COMPETENCE, TRANSPARENCY,
PERFORMANCE, AND ETHICAL PRACTICES OF THE OPERATIONS OF REVIEW CENTERS AND
SIMILAR ENTITIES:

[fa}L_{t) To implement the program for the full computerization of alll licensure
examinations given by the various professional regulatory boards including the registration
of professionals not later than the year 2003 and other operations of the Commission;


Ite) {u) To investigate and decide administr:
employees under the jurisdiction of the Commission;

tive matters invalving officers and

[{s}]_{v} To investigate motu proprio or upon the filing of a verified complaint, any
member of the Professional Regulatory Boards for neglect of duty, incompetence,
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonaurable conduct, commission of irreguls
the licensure examinations which taint or impuga the integrity and authenti

jes in
of the results
of the said examinations and, if found guilty, to revoke or suspend their certificates of
registration and professional licenses/identification cards and to recommend to the
President of the Philippines their suspension or removal from office as the case may he;

[{¢)1 {w) To issue summons, subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in connection with
the investigation of cases against officials and employees of the Commi
members of the Professional Regulatory Boards;

ion and the

[lu)] (2) To hold in contempt in erring party or person only upon application with a
court of competent jurisdiction;

{{v)1_{y) To call upon or request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau,
institution or agency of the government including local government units to render such
assistance as it may require, or to coordinate or cooperate in order to carry out, enforce or
implement the professional regulatory policies of the government or any program or activity
it may undertake pursuant to the provisions of this Act;

{w)] (2) To initiate an investigation, upon complaint under oath by an aggrieved
party, of any person, whether a private individual or professional, local or foreign, who
practices the regulated profession or occupation without being authorized by law, or without
being registered with and licensed by the concerned regulatory board and issued the .
corresponding license/professional identification card or temporary or special permit, or
who commits any of the prohibited acts provided in the regulatory laws of the various
professions, which acts are criminal in nature, and if the evidence so warrants, to forward
the records of the case to the office of the city or provincial prosecutor for the filing of the
corresponding information in court by the lawyers of the legal services of the Commission
who may prosecute said case/s upon being deputized by the Secretary of Justice; ’

{00 (aa) To prepare an annual report of accomplishments on the programs, projects
and activities of the Commission during the year for submission to Congress after the close
of its calendar year and make appropriate recommendations on issues and/or problems
affecting the Commission, the Professional Regulatory Board, and the various professions
under its jurisdiction; and



Ily}] {bb) To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act, the various professional regulatory laws, decrees, executive
orders and other administrative issuance.

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days after the approval of +
this amendment, the PRC shall prepare and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
needed to implement the amendatory provisions.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.