Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENTS FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Education is a very important aspect of one’s life. In the Philippines, education is 
something that we set as our priority and the dreams and goals of every parent for their 
children. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 91.6% of Filipinos are 
functional literate in 20191.  
The 1987 Constitution2 states that: the State shall protect and promote the right of all 
citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such 
education accessible to all. Further, the Constitution3 also provides 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. 
After graduation and getting a degree, the expenses thereon do not stop. In some 
instances, before being able to practice a certain profession, an additional professional 
examination is required. These examinations are an additional burden and expense to ordinary 
Filipino people. As an example, in the recent 2020_21 Bar Examination, the amount needed to 
be paid to take the exam was Php 10,000.00. All these additional professional examinations 
are not the only expense paid, there are still expenses to be paid like fees for enrolling in review 
centers and other daily expenses. 
This bill aims to grant qualified indigents free fees for professional examinations. In 
order to be exempt from paying the said fee, a person qualified must present his or her 
certification of indigence issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD). This bill is necessary to give assistance and to lighten the expenses to be incurred 
by an indigent person who seeks to take any professional examination. 
1 Functional Literacy Rate is Estimated at 91.6 Percent in 2019 available at 
https://psa.gov.ph/content/functional-literacy-rate-estimated-916-percent-2019 (last accessed on 
September 25, 2022). 
2 Article XIV, Section 1, 1987 Constitution. 
3 Article II, Section 17, 1987 Constitution.  
October 6, 2022
1:14 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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 assembled: 
Sec. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free Professional 
Examinations For Indigents 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. Towards this 
end, the State shall enact measures to ensure that aspiring professionals are shielded 
from the financial burden of licensure examination fees. 
Sec. 3. Requirements for Availment. - For purposes of availing 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 PRC, CSC or other 
certifying body, as the case may be, in lieu of the payment of examination fees; 
Provided, that a first time applicant may be entitled to 100% of the examination fees; 
Provided, further, that in the event that the examinee needs to retake the professional 
examination, he/she shall only be entitled to assistance equivalent to 50% of the 
examination fee for the second take, and no other subsidy shall be given for further 
retake. 
Sec. 4. Interpretation in Favor of the Applicant. - In all cases, any ambiguity 
in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the applicant. No 
agency shall issue unduly restrictive regulations which will render nugatory the 
benefits provided under this Act. such shall constitute an administrative offense 
punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws. 
Sec. 5. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. - The 
Committee, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the IBP, 
shall conduct regular information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns in 
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order to inform potential beneficiaries of the procedures and guidelines in availing the 
benefits of this Act. As far as practicable, such IEC campaigns shall be made available 
in print, television, radio broadcast and online platforms, with appropriate translation 
into regional languages.  
 
 
Sec. 6. Non-Duplication of Benefits. - Examinees who are already receiving 
similar benefits under other laws and programs of the government shall not be entitled 
to the benefits of this Act. However, nothing herein shall diminish or decrease the 
benefits received by the beneficiaries under pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
 
 
Sec. 7. Exceptions. - The waiver of fees under this Act shall not include those 
collected in connection with an application to take other examinations, such as 
specialization examinations administered by professional organizations, and the fees 
relating to the application for a driver’s license. 
 
 
Sec. 8. Non-Authority to Charge Fees. - This Act shall not be construed as 
an implied authority for government agencies to impose or collect charges and fees in 
the discharge of their functions with regard to the administration of professional 
examinations, if no such authority is already granted under their respective charters or 
other relevant laws. 
 
 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - An amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the respective budgetary allocations of the 
concerned government agencies, subject to the usual budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. Thereafter, an amount necessary for the proper 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - 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 its effectivity. 
 
 
Sec. 12. 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. 13. 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. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,