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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2469

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Constitution upholds every Filipino’s right to pursue a profession of their choice, subject
only to fair and reasonable regulation (Art. XIV, Sec. 5[3]), and affirms that education must cultivate
ctitical and creative thinking (Art. XIV, Sec. 3[2)). Professional development must priotitize
authentic and meaningful learning over transactional requirements. While the State may set
safeguards to ensure public safety and competence, such regulation must remain proportionate and
must not burden livelihoods, create artificial barriers to employment, or force participation in
commercialized systems. In 2016, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as
the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act, with the goal of promoting lifelong learning
and global competitiveness among Filipino professionals. However, the implementation of RA
10912 has revealed critical flaws that require legislative correction. The repeal of RA 10912 responds
to the constitutional mandate: to protect professional autonomy, ensure access to opportunities, and
correct overreach inconsistent with a just, dynamic, and inclusive social order (Art. XIII, Sec. 1).

Under the current regime, CPD compliance is mandatory for the renewal of professional licenses.
‘This requirement has become a significant source of concern and frustration across various sectors.
Numerous professionals, especially those in the public sector and in geographically isolated or
disadvantaged areas, have faced challenges accessing accredited CPD programs, The financial
burden, stemming from registration fees, travel costs, and the opportunity cost of attending
seminars, has compounded these accessibility issues. Furthermore, many practitioners have
questioned the relevance and quality of certain CPD offerings, with little assurance that these
programs contribute meaningfully to their professional competence or advancement. The
compulsory nature of CPD, regardless of context, has been criticized as both burdensome and
disconnected from the realities of practice, especially for those with long-standing expertise and
experience. RA 10912 interpreted professional development narrowly as a compliance burden tied to
licensure renewal


‘This measure seeks to repeal the RA 10912 and reform the concept of professional development in
accordance with constitutional mandates and the evolving demands of a dynamic society. It corrects
the misapplied premise that professional growth is primarily a regulatory burden, and redefines it as
a metit-based, inclusive, multifaceted, and lifelong pursuit of excellence in one’s field. ‘This bill then
seeks to repeal the mandatory CPD requirement and establish in its place a Voluntary Professional
Development System. The core principles guiding this measure are accessibility, professional
autonomy, and equity. It affirms that while the government may provide support and incentives for
professional development, such programs must not become punitive or exclusionary. Instead, the
Dill mandates the offering of voluntary CPD programs by government agencies, regulatory boards,
state universities and colleges (SUCs), and recognized private institutions. These programs must be
made accessible and must be offered free or subsidized to professionals in the public sector and in
underserved areas. The bill further clarifies that professional development shall be encouraged
through positive incentives such as support for career advancement, international deployment
eligibility, academic promotion, or salary grade increases. However, it shall not be used to impose
unreasonable conditions on professional continuity. This approach restores the role of CPD as a
‘meaningful and empowering opportunity for growth.

By advancing a policy framework that enables meaningful, diverse, and voluntary modes of
development, including mentorship, leadership, and lived experience, this bill strengthens public
service, institutional accountability, and the long-term competitiveness of the Filipino professional.
By institutionalizing a voluntary and supportive professional development system, the bill addresses
the concerns raised by thousands of professionals since the implementation of RA 10912. It realigns
continuing education with constitutional values of fairness, accessibility, and freedom of choice. At
the same time, it supports national development goals by enabling professionals to pursue
advancement based on merit and readiness rather than compulsion.

Ultimately, this measure affirms that the competence and dignity of Filipino professionals are not
established through compulsory seminars, but through years of education, experience, and service. It
is time to return to a system that values support over sanctions, autonomy over imposition, and
development over mere documentation.

In view of the foregoing, support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

REP. GIRLIK E. VELOSO
Malasakit@Bayadihan Partylist


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2469

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016, AND PROMOTING
DIGNIFIED, INCLUSIVE, AND VOLUNTARY LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL
LICENSED PROFESSIONALS

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 “Professional Development
Reform Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to uphold the dignity
of Filipino professionals, recognize the enduring value of formal education and licensed practice, and
promote lifelong learning as a right and opportunity, rather than as a burden or barrier. Professional
development shall be encouraged through accessible, inclusive, and voluntary systems that respect
the lived experiences and actual practice of professionals.

SECTION 3. Guiding Principles. — ‘The implementation of this Act shall be governed by
the following principles:

(@) Accessibility. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs and activities must
be reasonably accessible in terms of cost, location, modality, and scheduling, taking into
account the diverse circumstances of professionals, including those in remote areas,
inter-disciplinary work, overseas employment, or under public service constraints.

(b) Voluntariness. CPD participation shall be a matter of professional initiative and merit-
based advancement. No CPD activity shall be required as a mandatory condition for


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renewal of professional license, appointment to public office, or continued practice,
unless expressly required by statute.

(©) Professional Autonomy. Professionals shall have the freedom to choose CPD activities
relevant to their practice, field, or evolving career trajectory. The State shall respect
diverse modes of continuing competence, including self-directed learning, field
innovation, teaching, research, and cross-disciplinary work, in lieu of formal compliance
mechanisms.

SECTION 4. Repeal of Republic Act No. 10912. — Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise
known as the “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016,” including all its
implementing rules and regulations (IRR), is hereby repealed.

SECTION 5. Primacy of Formal Education and Licensure. — ‘The State recognizes
and upholds the primacy of formal education, government-recognized equivalency programs, and
professional licensure as the foundational and sufficient basis of competence in any regulated
profession.

(@) Graduation from a recognized degree program, or the conferral of a degree under
government-sanctioned pathways such as the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency
and Accreditation Program (ETEEAD), together with successful licensure examination,
shall be deemed sufficient proof of readiness and qualification to practice, subject only to
ethical and disciplinary standards.

(b) The State shall not impose any additional compliance requirements, such as CPD units,
as a precondition for license validity, renewal, or practice, except in cases of clearly
established, field-specific public safety risks and subject to Congressional oversight. This
is to ensure that any future regulatory measures do not violate constitutional rights to
livelihood, and that the scope and burden of implementation remain under legislative
review.

(©) Any policy or regulation that undermines or negates the value of academic qualifications,
equivalency-based degree programs such as ETEEAP, or professional licensure,
including board examinations and certifications administered by regulatory bodies or the
judiciary, shall be deemed contrary to public policy and is expressly disallowed under this
Act.

SECTION 6. Presumption of Competence Based on Credentials and Practice. — All
professionals holding valid licenses shall be presumed competent to practice their profession, unless
found otherwise through due process of law or in accordance with specific statutory grounds for
discipline or disqualification.

‘The State affirms its trust in accredited educational institutions, licensure systems, and the
professional judgment of those who continue to serve in their fields. Any claim of diminished


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‘competence must be based on specific evidence, rather than on mere passage of time or failure to
accumulate compliance credits.

Proof of continued competence may include, at the professional’s discretion:

(@) Continuous ot prior practice in the field;

(b) Related or supervisory work in adjacent fields;

(©) Public service, research, innovation, teaching, or mentoring roles;

(@) Leadership in real-world projects with measurable outcomes;

(©) Voluntary professional development, further studies, specialization, ot domestic
certifications;

(International work, certifications, or honors;

(®) Practice in other regulated jurisdictions.

No professional shall be deemed unfit to practice solely for lack of CPD units or other
compliance metrics that are not ditectly tied to demonstrable misconduct, incompetence, or breach
of ethical or professional standards.

SECTION 7. Metit-Based Retention and Recognition of Licensed Professionals. —
Professional competence, once duly conferred through licensure, shall not be presumed diminished
solely by the passage of time, shift in field of engagement, or absence of CPD compliance. The State
affirms that competence is proven through professional conduct and performance.

(@) Professionals seeking to resume practice after a period of inactivity, or those engaged in
adjacent or interdisciplinary fields, shall not be subject to mandatory Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) units, retraining, or revalidation as a condition for
license renewal, reactivation, or resumption of practice. A prior grant of licensure shall
enjoy 2 continuing presumption of validity and competence, absent any finding of
malpractice, incapacity, or professional breach.

(b) The State recognizes that professional competence may be maintained ot even advanced
through diverse forms of practice, including interdisciplinary work, overseas
employment, or engagement in supervisory, managerial, academic, or research roles,
whether directly within the licensed field or through other occupations that sustain or
develop relevant skills and judgment.

(© Regulatory bodies may provide optional transition support or guidance; however, they
shall not impose additional financial costs, credit unit requirements, or procedural
burdens that are not expressly mandated by law.

@ The competence of returning or cross-field professionals shall be assessed based on
demonstrable metit and experience, with recognition that professional viability is
ultimately determined by performance in a competitive market.

(© Procedures for license renewal or reinstatement shall give full faith to prior licensure,
accredited academic qualifications, and professional experience, and shall not hinge on


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compliance with post-licensure metrics that are arbitrary or disconnected from
demonstrable competence.

() The State notes that the Judiciary recognizes continuing education requirements in the
legal profession, but does not condition license retention upon their completion.
Regulatory parity demands similar respect for professionals in other disciplines who
continue to demonstrate competence through experience, merit, and market
performance, and they shall not be unjustly penalized through arbitrary CPD conditions.

(@ CPD mechanisms shall not be structured or administered in a manner that
commercializes compliance or converts the system into a revenue-driven industry. The
acquisition of CPD units shall not be contingent upon a professional’s financial capacity
‘or geographic access.

SECTION 8. Voluntary Professional Development System. — Government agencies,
regulatory boards, SUCs, and duly recognized private institutions shall develop and offer
professional development programs that are:

@) Voluntary, and shall not be required for the renewal of licenses, continued professional
practice, or public service appointment;

(b) Accessible, including through online delivery and regional distribution to ensure
nationwide reach;

(©) Free or subsidized, particularly for professionals in the public sector and those residing in
disadvantaged, underserved, or geographically isolated areas.

‘These programs may serve as merit-based support for career advancement, international
deployment, academic promotion, or salary grade progression, but shall not operate as preconditions
to one's right to continue practicing a profession or holding public office.

Nothing in this section shall preclude government agencies or institutions from prescribing
mandatory training, orientation, or capacity-building programs that are integral to. their
organizational mandates, internal policies, or the effective discharge of public functions, even if such
programs may also be considered forms of professional development.

SECTION 9. CPD as Training Credential for Government Service. — CPD activities
shall be recognized as valid training credentials under the Qualification Standards of the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) and may be credited toward hiring, promotion, or other personnel actions in
government, subject to relevance and alignment with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

CPD-acquited competencies, certifications, or learning outcomes may be applied toward the
“Training” requirement of the CSC Qualification Standards, Provided, That such credentials are
verifiable and directly pertinent to the field, function, or scope of the position sought or held.


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No CPD activity shall be required under, or construed as affecting, eligibility under Civil
Service laws, including but not limited to Career Service Eligibility or professional licensure.

SECTION 10. International Harmonization. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
prevent the government from adopting or aligning with international standards, frameworks, or
agreements related to professional development. However, such alignment shall not diminish the
legal sufficiency of initial licensure, formal education, or demonstrable practice as valid bases for
professional competence under Philippine law.

SECTION 11. Effect of Repeal. — All policies, regulations, or administrative actions that
imposed license renewal conditions based solely on the Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) Act of 2016 (RA 10912), and which resulted in delays, denials, or withholding of license
renewals, shall be deemed null and void.

Any professional previously denied renewal or forced into inactive status due to non-
compliance with CPD requirements shall be entitled to apply for license reactivation or renewal
under the standards of this Act, without penalty, additional fee, or CPD compliance, Provided, That
all other lawful conditions are met.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), in consultation with relevant
stakeholders and subject to the policy limitations herein, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

‘The IRR shall not expand, modify, or create new CPD compliance requirements beyond
those expressly provided by this Act. No rule shall contravene the principles of accessibility,
voluntariness, and professional autonomy established herein.

SECTION 13. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Such funds shall be
specifically allocated within the respective budgets of the PRC, the CSC, and other national
government agencies concerned, to support accessible, affordable, and quality voluntary CPD
programs relevant to their mandates. For clarity, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall
administer and fund CPD programs for teachers; the Department of Health (DOH) for health
professionals; and other relevant agencies for professionals under their respective jurisdictions.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.


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SECTION 15. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected and shall
temain in force and in effect.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. — ‘This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.