Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 625

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This is a refiled bill from the 19th Congress, where it was principally authored
by Hon. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo during the 18" Congress. It now
incorporates developments in the legal support field and considers inputs from
key stakeholders, including legal education institutions and civil society groups
advocating for justice reform.

This measure seeks to institutionalize the paralegal profession and its practice,
including the creation of a Professional Regulatory Board for Paralegals under
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Paralegals play a critical role in the delivery of legal services in both public and
private sectors. However, despite the growing reliance on their expertise in legal
research, documentation, case preparation, and procedural compliance, the
paralegal profession remains unregulated in the Philippines.

It is high time that Congress institutionalize the paralegal profession,
recognizing existing qualified practitioners and encouraging more individuals to
pursue this profession with appropriate training, licensure, and recognition
Establishing a regulatory framework for paralegals will not only elevate the
standards of legal support work in the country but also ensure accountability,
competence, and ethical conduct within the practice.

By professionalizing this sector, the country will benefit from a stronger pool of
skilled professionals capable of performing substantive legal work—ultimately
easing the burden on lawyers and increasing access to legal assistance for
more Filipinos. Furthermore, this will foster more competitive compensation and
career development for paralegals, in line with the quality of their contributions.

The passage of this bill is a step toward strengthening our legal institutions,
expanding access to justice, and creating more professional opportunities for
Filipinos.

The support of the Members of the House for theyimfnediate and favorable
passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

JURDII iS M. ROMUALDO


Cor anurwne

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. §25

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
PROFESSIONALIZING PARALEGAL PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR
PARALEGALS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:
ARTICLE
Title, Declaration of Policy, and Objectives
SECTION I. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Paralegal Act of 2021.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of professional
paralegals in nation building and development. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent,
virtuous, productive, and well-rounded professional paralegals whose standards of practice and
service shall be excellent and globally competitive through honest, effective, relevant, and credible
licensure examinations and through regulatory programs, measures, and activities that foster their

professional growth, social responsibility, and development.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act shall govern the following

a. National licensure examination, registration of paralegals, and issuance of certificates
of registration and professional identification cards;

b. Supervision, control, and regulation of paralegal practice;

c. Integration of paralegals under one national organization; and

d. Development of professional competence of paralegals.


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ARTICLE II
Definition of Term and Scope of the Practice

SEC. 4, Definition of Paralegal. - As used in this Act, a paralegal is a person who is not

a member of the Philippine Bar and who by education, training, or experience, performs

substantive legal work requiring the recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and

communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.

SEC. 5. Scope of the Practice of Paralegal Service. - Paralegal service shall deal with
the performance of the functions of the paralegal, which shall include the following:

a. Preparation and review of legal documents, such as affidavits, motions, and contracts;

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Representation on behalf of a party in small claims cases;
c. Representation on behalf of a party in barangay conciliation proceedings;
d. Investigation and fact-finding:

. Legal research;

f, Development and review of organizational policies, procedures, programs, and other legal
matters;

g. Coordination with government agencies and courts; and

h. Legal support for persons engaged in the practice of law.

ARTICLE U1
Creation of the Professional Regulatory Board for Paralegals

SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board for
Paralegals. - There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board for Paralegals, hereinafter
referred to as the Board, under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC). The Board shall be comprised of a Chairperson and four (4)
Members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from the three (3) persons
recommended for each position by the PRC, who, in turn, must be among the list of five (5)
qualified nominees for cach position submitted by the accredited and integrated national
professional organization of paralegals. The Board shall be constituted within three (3) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Qualifications of Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The Chairperson.

and Members of the Board must possess the following qualifications:

. A natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;

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. Of good reputation and moral character;

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. A practicing paralegal;

d. Not a member of the faculty of a university, college, school, or institution conferring


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the academic degree on legal management and paralegal studies or offering review
classes for the paralegal licensure examination, nor has a direct or indirect pecuniary
interest in any such institution; and

e. Not an incumbent officer of the accredited and integrated national professional

organization of paralegals.

SEC. 8. Tenure of Office for the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The
Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years from the
date of their appointment or until their successors shall have been appointed: Provided, That the
first Members appointed Board shall hold office for the following terms: one (1) member as
Chairperson, to serve for three (3) years; two (2) Members, to serve for two (2) years; and two (2)
Members, to serve for one (1) year. The Chairperson and the Members of the Board may be
reappointed for a second term but in no case shall they serve continuously for more than six (6)
years. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of the member
who vacated the position. The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall take the proper oath
of office prior to the assumption of duty. The first Chairperson and Members of the Board
appointed shall automatically be registered and issued Certificates of Registration and Professional

Identification Cards.

SEC. 9. Meetings of the Board, The Board shall have a regular meeting once a month.
Special meetings may also be held upon call of the Chairperson or by request of at least three (3)
Members. Reasonable notice of all meetings shall be given in the manner prescribed by the rules
of the Board.

SEC. 10. Compensation and Allowances of the Chairperson and Members of the
Board. - The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall receive compensation and
allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the chairpersons and the
members of existing professional regulatory boards under the Commission, as provided for in the

General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Board, - The Board shail exercise
executive, administrative, rule-making, and quasi-judicial powers in carrying out the provisions of
this Act. It shall be vested with the following specific powers, functions, duties, and
responsibilities:

a. Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations necessary to carry out the

provisions of this Act;

b. Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi or terms of specification of subjects for the

paralegal licensure examination consistent with the policies and standards set by the


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Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
cc. Evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination;

d. Administer oaths and issue Certificates of Registration and the Professional
Identification Card to persons admitted to the practice of the paralegal profession;

e. Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in
coordination with the accredited and integrated national professional organization of
paralegals;

f. Recommend measures necessary for the upgrading, enhancement, development and
growth of the paralegal profession in the Philippines;

g. Monitor the conditions affecting paralegal practice and, when necessary, adopt such
measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high
ethical, moral, and professional standards for paralegals;

h. Adopt and prescribe a Code of Professional Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards
for paralegals;

i, Conduct inspection and monitoring of establishments where the paralegal profession is
practiced, and of higher educational institutions where paralegal courses are being
offered, in coordination CHED, to ascertain that professional standards are complied
with;

j._ Ensure, in coordination with CHED, that all institutions offering legal management and

paralegal studies comply with prescribed standards for curriculum, faculty, and
facilities;

k. Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of paralegals in the
Philippines;

1, Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination for
paralegals;

m, Issue, reinstate, suspend, or revoke the Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or grant or cancel a temporary /special permit;

n. Issue Certificates of Recognition for advanced studies, _ researches
and accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment of the profession;

0. Adopt policies and set the standards for all types of paralegals; and

p. To discharge other powers and duties as the Board may deem necessary for the
paralegal practice and the continued growth and development of paralegals and
paralegal education in the Philippines .

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Board shall

be subject to review and approval of the Commission. However, the Board's decision, resolution,

or order rendered in administrative cases shall be subject to review only on appeal.

SEC. 12. Removal or Suspension of the Chairperson or Members of the Board. - The


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Chairperson or any Member of the Board may be suspended or removed upon due notice and
hearing by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, for
neglect of duty, abuse of power, oppression, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or
dishonorable conduct, commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination ot
tampering of the grades therein, or for any final judgment or conviction of any criminal offense
involving moral turpitude. The rights of Chairperson and Members to be due process and to be
assisted by counsel shall be respected in the proper administrative proceedings to be conducted for
the purpose.

SEC. 13. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of Its Records, Secretariat, and
Support Services. - The Board shall be under the general supervision and administrative control
of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examination, examination
papers and results, minutes of deliberations, administrative and other investigative cases involving
paralegals, shall be kept by the Commission. The Commission shall designate the secretary of the
Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of

this Act subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SEC. 14. Annual Report, - The Board shall, at the close of each fiscal year, submit an
annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and
accomplishments during the year and recommending measures to be adopted with the end- in-view
of upgrading and improving the conditions affecting paralegal practice in the Philippines.

ARTICLE IV
Licensure Examination and Registration

SEC. 15. Licensure Examination. - Applicants for registration, except those specifically

allowed under Section 22 of this Act, shall be required to undergo a written licensure examination

to be given by the Board in such places and dates the Commission may designate subject to

‘compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 16. Qualifications for Examination. -Applicants for licensure examination must

meet the following qualifications at the time of filing of applications:

a. Citizen and resident of the Philippines: Provided, that citizen of a foreign country may
be allowed to take the examination, subject to the requirement of reciprocity pursuant
to Section 31 of this Act;

b. Possesses good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude;

c. Graduate of a Bachelor's degree conferred by a school, college, or university
recognized and duly accredited by CHED: Provided, That six (6) years after the


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effectivity of this Act, only the graduates of the following degrees shall be allowed to
qualify for application to the licensure examination:

1. Bachelor of Science in Legal Management;

2. Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies; and

3. Any bachelor's degree in arts and sciences with at least eighteen (18) units in

professional paralegal practice.

All applications for examination shall be filed with the Board which shall assess and
approve said applications and issue to the qualified examinees the corresponding permits to take

‘such examination.

SEC. 17. Scope of Examination. -The licensure examination shall cover, but not be
limited to, the following subjects:

a. Government;

b. The Judicial system;

Civil, criminal, and quasi-judicial procedures;

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Jurisdiction of local government units;
Ethical standards of paralegals;
Obligations and commercial contracts;
Tax and labor law compliance; and

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Rules, regulations and procedures of various administrative agencies.

The Board may also re-cluster, rearrange, modify, add, or exclude any of the foregoing
subjects as the need arises and may recommend to CHED changes in said subjects to conform to

developments in the paralegal profession.

SEC. 18, Rating in the Examination. - To pass the licensure examination, a candidate
must obtain a passing rating of seventy five percent (75%) in each subject given during the
examination; Provided, however, That an examinee who obtains a passing rating in the majority
of the subjects but obtains a rating in the other subjects below seventy five percent (75%) but not
lower than sixty percent (60%), shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the subjects
where the passing rating was not obtained; Provided, finally, That should the examinee fail to
obtain a passing rating in the removal examination, the examinee shall be considered as having

failed the entire licensure examination .

SEC. 19. Report of Results of Examination. - The Board shall report to the Commission
the results of the examination and the ratings of the examinees within sixty (60) days after the

examination unless extended by the Commission for just and valid cause.


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SEC. 20. Oath of Profession. - All successful examinees qualified for registration and all
qualified applicants for registration without examination shall be required to take an oath of
profession before any Commission Officer, or Member of the Board or any government official

authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering into paralegal practice in the Philippines.

SEC. 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card.
- The Commission, on recommendation of the Board, shall issue a Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card to each person who passed the licensure examination for
paralegals and to those who are registered without examination under this Act and shall enter the
name of the registered professional in the Roster of Paralegals. The Certificate of Registration shall
bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Chairperson and Members of the
Board, stamped with official seals of the Board and Commission indicating that the person named.
therein is entitled to the practice of the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. The
said Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force and effect until suspended or revoked in
accordance with this Act. A Professional Identification Card bearing the name and signature of the
registrant, registration number, date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of

the Commission, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.

Section 22. Registration Without Examination. - Upon application and payment of the
required fees, the following shall be registered, and shall be issued by the Board and the
Commission a Certificate of Registration and a Professional Identification Card without taking the

prescribed examination:

a. Those who, upon the effectivity of this Act, have been issued a certificate of completion of
the Paralegal Training Program offered by the University of the Philippines Law Center
and been a member of good standing of the Paralegal Training Program Alumni

Association, Inc. for at least two (2) years;

b. Those who, upon the effectivity of this Act, have been issued a certificate of completion of
OPLAN Jail Decongestion spearheaded by the National Committee on Legal Aid (NCLA)
of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and been providing paralegal services for at

least (2) years;

¢. Those who, upon the effectivity of this Act, have been issued a certificate of completion of
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology {BJMP) paralegal program and been BJMP

paralegal officers for at least two (2) years; and

d. Those who, upon the effectivity of this Act, hold permanent appointments and have at least


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two (2) years of actual experience in providing paralegal services.

e. Those so exempt under the aforementioned categories shall file their application within
two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That the renewal of their
professional identification cards shall be subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof.

SEC. 23. Refusal to Issue Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
Card, - The Board shall not register any successful examinee nor any applicant for registration
without examination if he or she has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any
criminal offense involving moral turpitude or has been found guilty of immoral and dishonorable
conduct after investigation of the Board or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason

for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.

SEC. 24, Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary /Special Permit. - The Board shall have the
power, after due notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the Certificate of Registration or cancel
a temporary or special permit of any paralegal on any of grounds under Section 23 of this Act, or
for any of the following : unprofessional or dishonorable conduct in paralegal practice; fraud;
deceit or falsification in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or
temporary/special permit; abetment of illegal practice by allowing illegal use of his/her Certificate
of Registration, or Professional Identification Card, or temporary or special permit; practice of
profession during the period of suspension; or any violation of this Act, its Implementing Rules

and Regulations, the Code of Ethics or the Code of Technical Standards for Paralegals, or Board

policies. The respondent may appeal the Board's decision, order or resolution to the Commission

within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof.

SEC. 25. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration and Replacement of Lost
Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. - The Board after two (2)
years from the date of revocation of the Certificate of Registration may reissue a certificate upon
proper application. A new Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, or
temporary or special permit, which has been lost, destroyed or mutilated, may be reissued after

payment of the required fee prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 26. Roster of Paralegals. - The Board, in coordination with the accredited and

integrated national organization of paralegals, shall maintain an up-to-date, complete and properly

organized Roster containing the following data:
a. alphabetical list by surname of paralegals with their addresses and license numbers;

b. the list of licensees, numerically arranged by license numbers; and


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c. such other lists which the Board may deem necessary.
Copies of the Roster, which shall be provided to the National Library, the Civil Service
Commission, and the accredited national organization of paralegals, shall be kept as a permanent

record.

ARTICLE V
Paralegal Practice
SEC. 27. Prol

ns and Limitations in the Paralegal Practice. - No person shall
practice or offer to practice as a paralegal in the Philippines or offer oneself as a paralegal, or use
the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a paralegal
or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever as qualified to perform the work of a paralegal
unless the person satisfactorily passed the licensure examination given by the Board, except as
otherwise provided in this Act, and is a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a valid
professional license or a valid temporary special permit duly issued by the Board and the

Commission .

SEC. 28. Other Prohibited Acts. - No person shall:

a. Represent oneself as a paralegal during the time that the professional license is not
valid, or that the Certificate of Registration has been suspended or revoked, or that the
temporary special permit is cancelled;

b. Allow another person to use one's Certificate of Registration and/or professional
license or temporary special permit as a paralegal to enable the person to engage in the
practice of paralegal;

c. Use the Certificate of Registration or professional license or special temporary permit

of another paralegal.

SEC. 29. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program, - The CPD guidelines
shall be prescribed and promulgated by the Commission upon consultation with the Board, which
shall consult the integrated APO of paralegals, affiliated association of paralegals, and other
concerned sectors. The Board shall create a CPD Council that shall be composed of a Chairperson
coming from the Board, a member from the APO of paralegal and a member from the academe.

SEC. 30, Integration of Paralegals. - All paralegals shall be integrated into one (1)
national organization, which shall be recognized by the Board and by the Commission as the one
and only integrated APO of paralegals. A paralegal duly registered with the Board shall
automatically become a member of the integrated APO of paralegal, and shalll receive the benefits
and privileges thereto, upon payment of the required fees and dues. Membership in the integrated
‘APO shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of paralegals.

SEC. 31. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign paralegal shall be admitted to the licensure


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examination, or be given a certificate of registration and a professional license, or be entitled to
any of the privileges under this Act, unless the country of which he or she is a subject or citizen
specifically permits Filipino paralegal to practice within its territorial limits under the same

conditions and an equal basis as its own subjects or citizens.

SEC. 32. Indication of License and Privilege Tax Receipt. - A paralegal shall be required
to indicate the registration or professional number and date of issuance, the duration of validity,
including the Professional Tax Receipt number on the documents one signs, or issues in connection

with the practice of the profession.

ARTICLE VI
Penal and Final Provisions

SEC. 33. Penal Provisions. - Any violation of this Act, including violations of its

Implementing Rules and Regulations, shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than fifty

thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or

imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than four (4) years, or both such fine

and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court, In case the violation is committed by an

unlicensed paralegal, the penalty shall be double the aforesaid fine and imprisonment.

In case the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, association, or any other
juridical person, the partner, president, director, or manager who has committed or consented to or
knowingly tolerated such violation shall be held directly liable and responsible for the acts as
principal or as a co-principal with the other participants, if any.

SEC. 34. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately
include in the Commission 's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and thereafter.

SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months after the
effectivity of this Act, the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall promulgate,
adopt, and issue rules and regulations, and the Code of Ethies and the Code of Technical Standards
for Paralegals which shall take effect fifteen (15) days following publication in the official Gazette

or newspaper of general circulation.

‘SEC. 36. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Act shall
be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid

and subsisting.

SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders,


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letters of instruction, administrative orders, proclamations, charters, rules, or regulations, or parts
thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified,

or amended accordingly.

SEC. 38. Transitory Provision. - All incumbent paralegals in both the public and private
sector not otherwise certified as paralegals by virtue of this Act shall be given six (6) years
temporary certificates from the time the Board is organized within to qualify as required of this
‘Act and be included in the Roster.

SEC. 39. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,