THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )' 
Second Regular Session 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Millions of Filipino working, studying and residing abroad have been exposed to 
advance knowledge and high-technology environment their potential and competence 
have been accelerated and deepened by experience and actual practice in countries 
where they have access to more literature, equipment of higher technological 
specifications and more rewarding opportunities for recognition, These overseas 
compatriots, through their exposure to foreign societies and modern technology 
represent in immense reservoir of new technology, capital, expertise, experiences and 
other resources which can be readily tapped for national development purposes. 
Aside from their innate talent and ability, overseas Filipino professionals know 
how to take advantage of every single opportunity to harness their skills by acquiring 
more knowledge and modern technology. More often than not, in vigorously setting 
higher goals and standards for themselves they have become more competitive in their 
respective fields of endeavor and have been at par in excellence with other citizens of 
the world. With their ability to render work with efficiency, loyalty and expertise, they 
have been recognized for their potential and competence which earned them the 
established reputation of world-class Filipino. 
The proposed bill aims to tap the expertise of these overseas Filipino 
professionals to help accelerate economic development of the country in order to meet 
the goals for the next millennium. It provides for the methodologies, by which these 
overseas Filipinos may concretely assist in Philippine development processes, notably 
in the area- of transfer and exchange of technology. Moreover, it is worth mentioning 
that their burning desire to come back to their land of birth is coupled with their ardent 
desire to contribute their share in the development and progress of our country. Hence, 
by allowing them to practice in the Philippines, we give them an opportunity to render 
service to their motherland where their skills and expertise will be most needed and 
welcomed. 
Passage of this bill is earnestly urged. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.IPPINES } 
Second Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND 
THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES BY OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Policy Declaration - Science and technology is essential in 
national development and progress. In pursuance of this objective, the Government 
shall enlist the participation of Filipino overseas, particularly high-level scientists and 
professionals in various technical fields, and shall provide proper incentives and 
programs so as to secure their services in priority incentives and program so as to 
secure their services in priority development areas of the public and private sectors with 
the view of promoting information exchange and contributing to the modernization and 
industrialization of the country. 
SECTION 2. Incentives - Given the significance of upgrading technologies and 
the productivity of the people in pursuit of national economic development, the 
Government shall develop and provide adequate incentives to Filipino expatriates 
whose expertise and training can playa vital role in the industrialization efforts of the 
country. 
SECTION 3. Implementation - The Department of Science and Technology and 
the Department of Foreign Affairs shall develop and implement appropriate measures to 
ensure attainment of this Act, to include the Balik Scientist Program under Executive 
Order No. 130, as certified by the Department of Science and Technology. 
SECTION 4. Practice of Overseas Professionals in the Philippines - The 
Professional Regulation Commission may, upon recommendation of the concerned 
Professional Regulatory Board, authorize the registration without examination, and the 
issuance of a certificate of registration and a professional license to any Filipino whether 
or not he has lost his citizenship when he was overseas, who has been in the practice 
of his profession in a foreign country or state, subject to the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Qualifications - For the registration without examination and the 
issuance of a certificate of registration and a professional license under this Act the 
applicant must submit proofs that: 
(a) He is a natural-born Filipino, as shown by his birth certificate as a Filipino or other 
documentation as may be required, whether or not he has lost his Philippine citizenship 
when he went overseas; 
(b) He is at least twenty-seven (27) years of age; 


(c) He is registered and holder of a valid certificate of registration and/or valid 
professional license to practice his profession issued by the government body 
concerned in a foreign country or state whose requirements for registration or licensing 
are substantially the same as those required and contemplaited by the Philippine laws; 
(d) He has been in the practice of his profession in the country or state mentioned in 
paragraph (c) of this Section for at least five (5) years immediately preceding his 
application; and 
(e). He is a person of good moral character, and he has not been convicted of any crime 
involving moral turpitude; nor sanctioned administratively by any government 
instrumentality including the body that regulates the practice of his profession. 
SECTION 6. Requirements - The applicant shall file an application under oath 
stating his personal circumstances, his intention to practice in the Philippines and the 
Office address that he will be using, and his undertaking to abide by all regulations 
pertaining to the practice of the profession in the Philippines. 
SECTION 7. Implementation Guidelines - All concerned Department and 
agencies, particularly the Department of Science and Technology, Department of 
Foreign Affairs, Professional Regulation Commission, shall within ninety (90) days upon 
this Act's approval, promulgate the necessary guidelines to put into effect the purposes. 
and provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause -All laws which are inconsistent and contrary to 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity -This Act shall take effect upon, its approval. 
Approved,