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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9800
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, JOCELYN P. TULFO 
EDVIC G. YAP, ERIC GO YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO 
AN ACT  
EXEMPTING THE PAYMENT OF REVIEW FEES FOR BOARD AND BAR 
EXAMINATIONS FOR QUALIFIED INDIGENTS ON THEIR FIRST TAKE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill, entitled the "Professional Advancement of Indigents Act of 2023," serves as 
a crucial step towards achieving educational and professional equity in our society. 
Its primary aim is to remove the financial barriers that often impede the progress of 
indigent individuals who aspire to become professionals in their chosen fields. The 
bill focuses specifically on exempting qualified persons from the burden of paying 
review fees for board and bar examinations when they take these critical tests for the 
first time. 
To ensure that the benefits of this exemption are extended to those who genuinely 
need it, the bill outlines specific eligibility criteria. These criteria are designed to 
identify indigent students who have shown the highest levels of commitment and 
academic merit. By targeting this demographic, the bill maximizes the positive impact 
of the exemption while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 
In conclusion, the passage of this bill represents a significant investment in our 
nation's future. It empowers indigent individuals, granting them the opportunities 
they rightfully deserve. By breaking the cycle of poverty through education, we 
unlock the untapped potential of our youth, who will undoubtedly contribute to the 
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progress and development of our society. This bill is not just a policy; it's a 
commitment to building a fairer, more prosperous future for our nation. 
 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  ERWIN T. TULFO 
   EDVIC G. YAP  
   JOCELYN P. TULFO 
       ERIC GO YAP 
   RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO  


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9800 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, JOCELYN P. TULFO 
EDVIC G. YAP, ERIC GO YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO 
AN ACT  
EXEMPTING THE PAYMENT OF REVIEW FEES FOR BOARD AND BAR 
EXAMINATIONS FOR QUALIFIED INDIGENTS ON THEIR FIRST TAKE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This bill shall be known as the "Professional 
Advancement of Indigents Act of 2023." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
equitable access to education and to provide opportunities for all, regardless of socio-
economic status, to excel in their chosen fields. The State recognizes that the cost of 
review materials and fees for board and bar examinations can be a significant barrier 
for indigent families. This bill seeks to remove this barrier and enable deserving 
students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams and contribute to 
the development of our nation. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act. - 
(a) “Qualified Indigents” refers to persons who have no visible means of
income or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence of his or her family 
as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 
or those who are legal dependents from families which have a combined 
annual income below the poverty threshold as determined by the National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and who meets the eligibility 
criteria set forth in Section 5 of this Act. 
(b) “Bar Examinations” refers to licensure examinations administered by
the Supreme Court of the Philippines and is one of the prerequisites for 
professional admission to the Philippine Bar. 


 
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(c) “Board Examinations” refers to licensure examinations administered 
by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) including but not limited to 
those required for professions such as nursing, engineering, and medicine. 
 
(c) “Review Fees” refers to fees charged by review centers and 
educational institutions for review courses, whether offered in-person, online, 
or a combination of the same, for Board and Bar Examinations, including fees 
for review and exam preparatory materials separately offered by review 
centers for the course in which each qualified indigent is officially enrolled. 
 
SECTION 4. Exemption from Review Fees. – Subject to the exceptions provided 
in Section 6 of this Act, qualified indigents shall be exempt from paying review fees 
for board and bar examinations provided that they meet the criteria set forth in Section 
5 of this Act, provided further that in order to avail of the benefits under this Act, the 
certifications under the succeeding section shall be presented by qualified indigents 
to their respective review centers or educational institutions upon their enrollment 
therein. 
 
SECTION 5. Eligibility Criteria. -  
 
To qualify for the exemption under Section 4, qualified indigents must meet the 
following criteria: 
 
(a) Proof of Indigency: Applicants must provide documentary evidence of their 
indigent status, as determined by the DSWD. 
 
(b) First-Time Takers: Applicants must be first-time board or bar examination 
takers, as certified by the Supreme Court of the Philippines or the PRC, as may be 
appropriate. 
 
(c) Filipino Citizenship: Applicants must be Filipino citizens. 
 
(d) Academic Merit: Applicants must either be (i) higher education graduates 
with Latin Honors, or (ii) Academic Scholarship grantees, as certified by the 
applicants’ higher educational institutions. 
 
SECTION 6. Exceptions. – The exemption from review fees under this Act shall 
not include those charged in connection with the review for other examinations not 
specified herein such as, but not limited to, the Civil Service Commission Examination 
or the Career Service Examination for Foreign Service Officer. 
 
SECTION 7. Funding. - The necessary funds for the implementation of this Act 
shall be allocated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in the 
General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
 


 
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SECTION 8. Reporting. - The PRC and the Supreme Court of the Philippines 
shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of indigent students 
who benefited from this Act, the amount disbursed, and any other relevant 
information. 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Supreme Court of the 
Philippines, PRC, DSWD, and other relevant government agencies shall formulate 
and promulgate necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement this Act 
within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any part, section, or provision of this 
Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,