Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Giselle Mary L. Maceda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE  
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides 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.” 
This provision reflects the fundamental policy of the State to uplift the lives of 
Filipinos through education and to ensure that no Filipino is left behind due to 
economic hardship. 
In response to this Constitutional mandate, several significant laws have 
been enacted over the years to expand educational access. One notable legislation 
is Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education 
Act, which institutionalized free tuition and other school fees in state universities 
and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational 
institutions. 
While these legislative measures are highly commendable and have 
significantly improved access to education, there remains a critical gap in our legal 
framework. For many students, particularly those seeking to enter professions 
regulated by the government, graduation does not mark the end of their journey. 
In order to practice in their respective fields, they are still required to take and pass 
licensure or professional board examinations. 
Professional examination fees can be prohibitively expensive for indigent 
graduates. For instance, the 2024 Philippine Physician Licensure Examination 
required a fee of Php10,000.00, while the 2024 Bar Examination cost Php12,800.00. 
These figures do not yet account for associated expenses such as review center 
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enrollment, materials, transportation, and daily sustenance during the review 
period. For many indigent students who come from households with no visible 
means of income or whose income barely meets their basic subsistence needs, these 
costs present a serious and sometimes insurmountable barrier. 
This bill seeks to address this policy gap by institutionalizing free 
professional examinations for qualified indigents. By doing so, it ensures that the 
gains made in accessible education are not diluted at the final hurdle to 
professional recognition. It upholds the principle that poverty should never be a 
barrier to achieving one’s full potential as a professional, especially after years of 
perseverance and academic accomplishment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  REP. GISELLE MARY L. MACEDA 
 4th District, Manila City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Giselle Mary L. Maceda 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR FREE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS TO QUALIFIED 
INDIGENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the FREE PROFESSIONAL 
EXAMINATIONS ACT.  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. –  It is the declared policy of the State to promote 
full employment and provide equal opportunities for employment for all. 
Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order 
that will free the people from poverty through policies and programs that provide 
adequate social services, and improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, the 
State shall provide the poor with access to mechanisms that expand opportunities 
for better employment.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Professional Examinations refer to the licensure examinations conducted by
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) leading to the issuance of
professional licenses to successful examinees. It shall also include
examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) leading to
eligibility for employment in the government;
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b. Qualified Indigents refer to persons who have no visible means of income or 
support, or whose income may not be sufficient for the subsistence or basic 
needs of the family, as may be determined by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
 
 
SECTION 4. Requirements for Availment. – For purposes of availing the benefits of 
this Act, an examinee shall secure a Certificate of Indigency from the DSWD. Such 
certification shall be presented to the PRC and CSC, as the case may be, to be 
exempt from the payment of examination fees.  
 
No other fee shall be charged against the qualified indigents for purposes of taking 
the professional examinations.  
 
 
SECTION 5. Limitations on Availment. – The benefits under this Act may be availed 
of by a qualified indigent only once a year.   
 
 
SECTION 6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign. – The 
DSWD, PRC, and CSC, in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency 
(PIA), are hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC Campaign in order to inform 
the people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits under this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 7. Reportorial Requirement. – For purposes of determining the 
effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, and 
CSC shall submit an annual report to both Houses of Congress indicating therein 
the number of indigent examinees who benefited from this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations and other issuances, or any part thereof, inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.  
 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 


 
Approved,