FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
, , , * ~  , 
S.NO. 
.E99 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV Section 14 of the Constitution provides that "the State shall foster the preservation, 
enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity 
in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression." 
Article XIV Section 16 of the Constitution provides that "all the country's artistic and historic 
wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall he under the protection of the State 
which may regulate its disposition." 
It is a fact that for every foreign performer who graces the local entertainment industry and earns 
income derived from Philippine sources, a local performer is displaced. 
In order to address this imbalance, this measure proposes to levy charges to foreign performers, 
to be known as the Equity Fee. The proceeds of which shall be allocated to the National 
Commission on Culture and Arts, government agency charged with promoting arts and culture; 
to be used exclusively for its dedicated developmental programs for artistry. 
Passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANT~NI&SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHEPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced hv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F~ Trillanex IV 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, PROMOTE AND POPULARIZE THE NATION’S 
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL H E m A G E  AND RESOURCES, AS WELL AS 
ARTISTIC CREATIONS BY EXACTING A PERFORMANCE FEE FROM FOREIGN 
PERFORMERS AND ALLOCATING THE PROCEEDS THEREOF TO THE 
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CULTURE AND ARTS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Singer‘s Equity Act. ” 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to foster the 
preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the 
principle of unity in diversity in a climate of fiee artistic and intellectual expression and that a11 
the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be 
under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition. 
SEC. 3. 
Equity Fee. - In addition to the fees currently being imposed, there shall 
be levied a fee equivalent to Fifteen percent (15%) of a foreign performer total talent fee which 
shall be known as the Equity Fee, 
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SEC. 4. 
Exception. - Performances of foreign performers for a socio-civic benefit 
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or to which the audience does not pay for admission or which the Cultural Center of the 
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Philippines sponsors shall not be covered by this Act. 
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SEC. 5. 
Definition of term. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
(a) 
A foreign performer is defined as an artist or entertainer, or the members of a 
group thereof, not holding a Philippine passport. 
(b) 
The total talent fee, against which is imposed the Equity Fee, shall be that 
identified as such in the contract of service of the foreign performer plus all other projected perks 
and benefits, including but not limited to the expenses for hotel accommodations, food and 
maintenance for the entire duration of stay in the Philippines. 
SEC. 6. 
Procedure for Administration. - (a) The Equity Fee shall be payable to 
the Bureau of Internal Revenue (SIR) regional office nearest the venue of the fust performance 
at least five (5) working days prior to the date of the first scheduled performance of the foreign 
performer. 
(b) 
Payment shall be effected by the producer, promoter or impresario chargeable to 
the account of the foreign performer. 
(c) Within twenty (20) days from receipt of the Equity Fee, the BIR regional office 
concerned shall remit the entire amount to the National Commission on Culture and Arts for its 
disposition in accordance with its charter and mandate. 
SEC. 7. 
Penalty.- A violation of this Act shall be meted a penalty of a fine of at 
least Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,OOO.OO) but not more than Five million pesos 
(5,000,000.00), depending on the gross receipts generated by the performances. 
SEC. 8. 
Eflecziviw. This Act shall take shall effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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