THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
First Regular Session 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Upon graduation from college and passing the licensure examinations, most 
young choose to become members of their respective professional associations. 
Membership in a professional association provides an individual with useful links to 
the collective concerns such as continuing education and training, information about 
employment or business opportunities, and opportunities for advancement. In turn, 
an organization acquires strength from the size of its membership and the involvement 
of members in organizational projects and activities. 
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The high transactions costs involved in applying for membership however, 
constitutes an effective deterrent that keeps some young professionals from becoming 
members and gaining the benefits that come with membership. 
This bill proposes to empower the Professional Regulator Commission (PRC) 
to confer upon successful licensure examinees full membership in his respective 
association. 
Automatic registration shall be guaranteed upon evaluation of the 
request by the association. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
SERGIO OSMENA Ill 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC MEMBERSHIP OF 
PROFESSIONALS TO 
RESPECTIVE ACCREDITED ASSOCIATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
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“Professional Membership Act of 2004.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the expressed and declared 
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policy of the State to encourage and promote the rights of individuals to form 
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associations or societies for purposes not contrary to law and create a space 
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for the active involvement and participation of professionals or groups of 
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professionals of common interest thereby elevating the standard of practice of 
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every profession towards the promotion of human resource development 
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Towards this end, the State shall pursue a policy of encouraging and 
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promoting public responsibility in every Filipino professional through the spirit of 
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unity and professionalism. 
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SEC. 3. 
Automatic Membership. - 
All individuals who have 
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successfully passed the Government regulated licensure examinations will be 
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granted full and automatic membership status for one year following hidher 
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passing of the licensure examination. 
The Professional Regulations 
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Commission shall in accordance with the Commission’s rules and regulations 
and upon release of the official roster of successful examinees, automatically 
grant upon the professional the clearance for conferment of a full membership in 
the association. The association concerned shall, upon receipt of the letter of 
conferment from the PRC, act on the request to grant automatic membership to 
the professional until the same is rendered null and void by virtue of a deficiency 
in any of the requirements enumerated in Section 4 hereinafter. Otherwise, the 
validity of the membership and license shall be for one year, renewable every 
year thereafter. 
A member who, after the lapse of his membership, fails to renew his 
interest by paying the corresponding fees and dues to his association, shall be 
deemed temporarily dropped from the roster of active membership. Only upon 
fulfilling the requirements of the association shall he/she be readmitted and 
entered into the roster of membership. 
SEC. 4 
Criferia for Membership. - 
To automatically become a 
registered member of an association, the individual must meet the following 
criteria: 
I) He/she must be a citizen of the Philippines; 
2) He/she must be of good reputation and high moral values; 
3) He/she must be of legal age; 
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4) He/she must have qualified to take the licensure examination of the 
PRC; 
5) He/she must have successfully passed the licensure examination and 
received a qualifying mark; 
6) He/she must have a favorable written recommendation from the PRC. 
SEC. 5. Accredited Professional Associations. - All associations of 
professionals must be fully registered with the appropriate government agency 
or agencies before they can fully operate and be recognized by the Professional 


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Regulations Commission. 
exclusive members of the common profession. 
The registration of its members shall be for the 
SEC. 6. Exempfion. - Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines 
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(IBP), holders of non-professional degrees and those who became members 
under the lifetime membership scheme shall be exempted from the automatic 
membership. 
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SEC. 7. lmplemenfafion. - The Professional Regulations shall be 
tasked to formulate the necessary policies and guidelines for the implementation 
of the provisions of this Act, 
in close coordination with the accredited 
professional associations. 
SEC. 8. Separabilify Clause. If any section or provision of this Act 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations and other 
issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed modified, 
revoked or repealed accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Effecfivify, This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its 
publication 
in 
two 
(2) 
leading 
newspapers 
of 
national 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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