Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

386

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

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 levels
and shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all (Section 1, Article XIV of
the1987 Constitution). Pursuant to this provision, the State has 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 centers 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.

The blll was filed in the 15' Congress but for lack of time, j
committee lev¥l. In light of all these circumstances, the swift passage

rogress was halted at the
|s bill is earnestly sought.

CHRISXGPHER S. CO RODEL M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.

386

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 follows:

“Sec. 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of the Commission. - The powers,
functions, and responsibilities of the Commission are as follows:

boo

PERFORMANCE, AND ETHICAL PRACTICES OF THE OPERATIONS OF REVIEW CENTERS AND
SIMILAR ENTITIES:

{Cq)J_{1) To implement the program for the full computerization of all 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;


{G2)1_w) To investigate and decide administrative matters involving officers and
employees under the jurisdiction of the Commission;

{6s)](¥) 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 dishonourable conduct, commission of irregularities in the
licensure examinations which taint or impugn the integrity and authenticity 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 be;

{(11.Gw) To issue summons, subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in connection with the
investigation of cases ag ials and employees of the Commission and the members of the
Professional Regulatory Boards;

st of

{401.G9 To hold in contempt in erring party or person only upon application with a
court of competent jurisdiction;

{(¥]_{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;

{G1 (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;

{C0 faa) 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

{GQ](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.

Approved.