FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
I 
Senate Bill No. ? I1 d 1 
Introduced by Honorable JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every year, controversy hounds the operation and management of the 
Metro Manila Film Festival. The original proceeds of the MMFF income which 
benefit the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MowelFund), the Film Academy 
of the Philippines and the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, are now being 
shared by other government agencies (i.e. Film Development Council of the 
Philippines and Optical Media Board) that are merely on-lookers in terms of 
operations of the MMFF. The proceeds can still be given to other government 
agencies at the discretion of the President of the Philippines. 
The root cause of this controversy is that the yearly implementer and 
organizer of the MMFF, which is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority 
(MMDA), does not come from the movie and film industry and as such, cannot 
relate to the real sentiments of the people working with the industry. The MMDA, 
in the first place, has no legal basis to operate and manage the MMFF as its 
charter, !?A 7924 is silent on the matter. The predecessor of the MMDA, the 
Metropolitan Manila Commission, by tradition, manages the operation of the 
MMFF, but this function was not carried in the present MMDA charter. 
In order that the movie and film industry flourish and to address the 
recurring controversies every year, it is just but proper that the organization, 
operation and management of the Metro Manila Film Festival be transferred to 
the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MowelFund) and the original 
beneficiaries of the MMFF, with the proper allocation of proceeds, be retained. 
The urgent passage of this bill is thus needed. 
Q 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
-. 
-- 
Senate Bill No. 
Introduced by Honorable SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE ORGANIZATION, OPERATION AND 
MANAGEMENT OF THE METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL FROM THE 
METRO MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO THE MOVIE WORKERS 
WELFARE FOUNDATION (MOWELFUND), AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philppines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECrION 1. Declaration of Po/ic& - 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 free artistic and 
intellectual expression. Further, the State shall conserve, promote, and 
popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as 
artistic creations. It is the commitment of the State to enrich Philippine culture, 
to reawaken the people to their historical heritage and traditional values, and to 
clarify the Filipino image, through the revival and refurbishment of native arts, 
among which is the Fililpino cinema which should rediscover itself by upholding 
its inherent artistic and social responsibility. And finally, the State recognizes the 
value and importance of the local movie industry in the over-all developmental 
effort, encouraging quality film production both in substance and in form and 
providing incentives to the performing artists and the technicians in the industry. 
SECTION 2. Transfer of Organkation, Operation and Management of MMFE - To 
carry out the above policy, the organization, operation and management of the 
annual Metro Manila Film Festival shall be transferred from the Metropolitan 
Manila Development Authority to the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation 
(MOWELFUND). 
SECTION 3. Functions of the MOWELFUND. - In order to insure the successful 
celebration of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, and to harness the full 
potential of the movie and film industry to be a viable and profitable business 
enterprise and to accelerate preservation, growth and development of the 
motion picture art and science in the country, the MOWELFUND shall: 
a) Give due recognition, awards distinction, appreciation through the Metro 
Manila Film Festival and other forms of reward for significant efforts and 
accomplishments of the improved and development of the motion picture 
art and science in the country; 
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b) Set up and administer a viable system of objectives to encourage the 
growth and development of high quality motion pictures in the country, 
which incentives shall include the grant of recognition to deserving 
individuals or entities who have contributed to the vital task and 
objectives of improving the quality of film-making or cinematic production 
in the country; 
c) Engage in fund raising campaign among all sectors of society to ensure 
successful operation of the annual MMFF; 
d) Collect the proceeds of the MMFF and disburse the shares to different 
beneficiaries identified in this Act. In relation to this, the Commission on 
Audit shall, among others, conduct an annual comprehensive audit of 
accounts and transactions pertaining to MMFF revenue and receipts, 
expenditures and uses of funds and property; 
e) Establish, operate, and maintain a Film Archive for the purpose of 
preserving and disseminating motion picture which are historical, cultural 
and/or aesthetic value of the nation; and 
9 Provide assistance and support for all efforts, activities and enterprises 
which are designed or envisioned to raise the standard of the cinematic 
art and science in the country in consonance with the cultural, scientific 
educational values and sensibilities of our people and our society, and in 
keeping with the country's social and economic development aims and 
objectives; add consistent therewith, to adopt and implement such 
measures as may be proper or necessary to ensure the success of such 
efforts, activities and enterprises and to obtain satisfactory results 
therefrom, particularly performance, and also in terms of cultural 
achievements. 
SECTION 4.  executive^ Commi&ee. - An Executive Committee under the 
MOWELFUND is hereby created to take charge of the organization, operation and 
management of the MMFF, composed of the following: 
a) Executive Director of MOWELFUND - Chairperson; 
b) One representative of the different guilds under the Film Academy of the 
Philippines as members, to wit: 
1. Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association; 
2. Movie Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines; 
3. Kapisanan ng mga Direktor ng Pelikulang Pilipino; 
4. Kapisanan ng rnga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon; 
5. Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines; 
6. Film Editors Guild for Motion Pictures; 
7. Filipino Society of Cinematographers; 
8. Sound Technicians Association for Motion Pictures; 
9. United Film Musical Directors of the Philippines; 
10. Production Designers Guild of the Philippines; 
11. Assistant Directors and Production Managers Guild of the 
Philippines; and 
c) PNP Chief - Member. 
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Section 5. MetmpRtan ManiJa BJm FesfivaJlncome Di9ribu~on. The net income 
of the annual Metropolitan Manila Film Festival shall be distributed to the 
following traditional beneficiaries: 
a) Movie Workers Welfare Fund Foundation, Inc. - Forty percent (40%); 
b) Film Academy of the Philippines - Forty percent (40%); 
c) Motion Picture Anti-Piracy Council -Ten percent (20V0). 
Section 6. Appmp&~on. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, the amount of 
TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00) 
is hereby appropriated for the initial 
operation of the MMFF by the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation 
(MOWELFUND). 
Section 7. Repeahg C/ause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 8. Separabiility C/ame. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not 
affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect. 
Section 9. €ff&ivi@. 
-This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved 
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