1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10456 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
PROFESSIONALIZING PARALEGAL PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PARALEGALS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Legal operations encompass every aspect of business, spanning 
corporations, cooperatives, private enterprises, and public entities. Universally, 
every action carries legal obligations. While paralegals are not lawyers, they 
ensure seamless operations. Diligent paralegals meticulously manage legal 
affairs, adhering to a code of ethics and professional responsibility. 
Consequently, a paralegal occupies an essential role within any 
organization, be it public or private. They are tasked with preparing and 
organizing a myriad of legal documents, including briefs, wills, contracts, and real 
estate closing statements. Furthermore, they investigate facts and laws 
pertaining to cases, comb through public records and other resources, and 
determine causes of action. 
Moreover, within courts and law firms, paralegals serve as the lifeblood of 
the office. They oversee and coordinate all activities, from delivering subpoenas 
to gathering and analyzing statutes, decisions, and legal articles. Additionally, 
they assist in trial preparation by organizing exhibits and providing support as 
necessary. Behind every great lawyer is a dedicated paralegal. 
May 21, 2024
9:03 am


2 
In light of this, it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge the sacrifices, hard 
work, and unwavering dedication of paralegals by professionalizing their roles. 
Many institutions now offer extensive training courses tailored for paralegals, 
marking a significant step towards professionalization. It is necessary for us, as 
representatives of the people, to take the final stride in recognizing the 
invaluable contributions of paralegals. 
 
This bill proposes a comprehensive approach to professionalizing 
paralegals through the establishment of a Regulatory Board of Paralegals. 
Additionally, it advocates for the implementation of a licensure examination 
overseen by the board to uphold the integrity and security of this esteemed 
profession. 
 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
 
 
 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10456 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
PROFESSIONALIZING PARALEGAL PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 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 I 
1 
Title, Declaration of Policy, and Objectives 
2 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Paralegal 
3 
Act." 
4 
5 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of 
6 
professional paralegals in nation-building and development. Hence, it shall 
7 
develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded 
8 
professional paralegals whose standards of practice and service shall be 
9 
excellent and globally competitive through honest, effective, relevant, and 
10 
credible licensure examinations and through regulatory programs, measures, 
11 
and activities that foster their professional growth, social responsibility, and 
12 
development. 
13 
14 
SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act shall govern the following: 
15 
a.
National licensure examination, registration of paralegals, and
16 
issuance 
of 
certificates 
of 
registration 
and 
professional
17 
identification cards;
18 


 
2 
b. 
Supervision, control, and regulation of paralegal practice; 
1 
c. 
Integration of paralegals under one national organizations; and 
2 
d. 
Development of professional competence of paralegals. 
3 
 
4 
 
5 
ARTICLE II 
6 
Definition of Terms, and Scope of Practice 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
9 
mean: 
10 
a. 
Paralegal – a person, who by education, training, or experience, 
11 
perform substantive legal work requiring the recognition, evaluation, 
12 
organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts 
13 
usually on behalf of lawyers and attorneys; and 
14 
b. 
Paralegal consultant – a paralegal with specific specialization such 
15 
as in alternative dispute resolution, real estate, corporate law, litigation, 
16 
intellectual property, immigration, insurance, and other key areas. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 5. Scope of the Practice of Paralegal Service. – Paralegal service shall 
19 
deal with the performance of the functions of paralegals, which shall include, 
20 
but not be limited to the following: 
21 
a. 
Preparation and review of legal documents such as affidavits, 
22 
motions, and contracts; 
23 
b. 
Representation on behalf of a party in small claims cases; 
24 
c. 
Representation on behalf of a party in barangay conciliation 
25 
proceedings; 
26 
d. 
Investigation and fact-finding; 
27 
e. 
Legal research; 
28 
f. 
Development and review of organizational policies, procedures, 
29 
programs, and other legal matters; 
30 
g. 
Coordination with government agencies and courts; and 
31 
h. 
Legal support for lawyers and attorneys. 
32 


 
3 
 
1 
ARTICLE III 
2 
Creation of the Professional Regulatory Board for Paralegals 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board 
5 
for Paralegals. – There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board for 
6 
Paralegals, hereinafter called the Board, under the administrative supervision 
7 
and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The Board shall 
8 
comprise of a Chairperson and four (4) Members of the Board who shall be 
9 
appointed by the President of the Philippines from among a list of three (3) 
10 
recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission from among a 
11 
list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the accredited and 
12 
integrated national professional organization of paralegals who qualify under 
13 
Section 7 of this Act. The new Board shall be constituted within three (3) months 
14 
from the effectivity of this Act. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. – 
17 
The Chairperson and Members of the Board, at the time of their appointment, 
18 
shall possess the following qualifications: 
19 
a. 
Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
20 
b. 
Must be of good reputation and moral character; 
21 
c. 
Must be a paralegal as defined in Section 4 of this Act; 
22 
d. 
Must not be a member of the faculty of a university, college, school 
23 
or institution conferring the academic degree on law, legal 
24 
management, and paralegal studies or offering review classes for 
25 
paralegal licensure examination; nor a person who has a direct or 
26 
indirect pecuniary interest in any such institution; and 
27 
e. 
Must not be an incumbent officer of the accredited and integrated 
28 
national professional organization of paralegals. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 8. Tenure of Office for the Chairperson. – The Chairperson and the 
31 
Members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years from the 
32 


 
4 
date of their appointment or until their successors shall have been qualified and 
1 
appointed: Provided, That the members of the first appointed Board shall hold 
2 
office for the following terms: one (1) member as Chairperson, to serve for three 
3 
(3) years; two (2) members, to serve for two (2) years; and two (2) members, to 
4 
serve for one (1) year. The Chairperson and the Members of the Board may be 
5 
reappointed for a second term but in no case shall they serve continuously for 
6 
more than six (6) years. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired 
7 
portion of the term of the member who vacated the position. On the 
8 
constitution of the first Board, the Chairperson and the Members of the Board 
9 
shall automatically be registered and issued Certificates of Registration and 
10 
Professional Identification Cards. Each Member of the Board shall take the 
11 
proper oath of office prior to the assumption of duty. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 9. Meetings of the Board. – The Board shall have a regular meeting 
14 
once a month. Special meetings may also be held upon the call of the 
15 
Chairperson or by request of three (3) of its members. Reasonable notice of all 
16 
meetings shall be given in the manner prescribed by the rules of the Board. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 10. Compensation and Allowances of the Chairperson and Members 
19 
of the Board. – The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall receive 
20 
compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances 
21 
received by the chairman and the members of existing professional regulatory 
22 
boards under the Commission, as provided for in the General Appropriations Act. 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 11. Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Board. – The Board shall 
25 
exercise executive, administrative, rule-making, and quasi-judicial powers in 
26 
carrying out the provisions of this Act. It shall be vested with the following 
27 
specific powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities: 
28 
a. 
Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations 
29 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act; 
30 
b. 
Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi or terms of specification 
31 
of subjects for the paralegal licensure examination consistent with 
32 
the policies and standards set by CHED; and 
33 
c. 
Evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination; 
34 


 
5 
d. 
Administer oaths, and issue Certificates of Registration and the 
1 
Professional Identification Card to persons admitted to the practice 
2 
of the profession of paralegal; 
3 
e. 
Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Development 
4 
(CPD) in coordination with the accredited and integrated national 
5 
professional organization of paralegals; 
6 
f. 
Recommend measures necessary for the upgrading, enhancement, 
7 
development, and growth of the profession of paralegal in the 
8 
Philippines; 
9 
g. 
Monitor the conditions affecting paralegal practice, and when 
10 
necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the 
11 
enhancement and maintenance of high ethical, moral, and 
12 
professional standards for paralegals; 
13 
h. 
Adopt and prescribe a Code of Professional Ethics and a Code of 
14 
Technical Standards for paralegals; 
15 
i. 
Conduct inspection and monitoring of establishments where 
16 
paralegal is practiced, and of higher educational institutions where 
17 
paralegal courses are being offered, in coordination with the 
18 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to ascertain that 
19 
professional standards are complied with; 
20 
j. 
Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education 
21 
(CHED), that all institutions offering law, legal management, and 
22 
paralegal studies comply with prescribed standards for curriculum, 
23 
faculty, and facilities; 
24 
k. 
Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of 
25 
paralegals in the Philippines; 
26 
  
27 
l. 
Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure 
28 
examination for paralegals; 
29 
m. 
Issue, reinstate, suspend, or revoke the Certificate of Registration 
30 
and Professional Identification Card or grant or cancel a 
31 
temporary/special permit; 
32 


 
6 
n. 
Issue certificates of recognition for advanced studies, researches 
1 
and accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment of the 
2 
profession; 
3 
o. 
Adopt policies and set the standards for all types of paralegals; 
4 
p. 
To discharge other powers and duties as the Board may deem 
5 
necessary for the paralegal practice and the continued growth and 
6 
development of paralegals and paralegal education in the 
7 
Philippines. 
8 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by 
9 
the Board shall be subject to review and approval of the PRC. However, the 
10 
Board's decision, resolution, or order rendered in administrative cases shall be 
11 
subject to review only if on appeal. 
12 
 
13 
SEC 12. Removal or Suspension of the Chairperson or Members of the 
14 
Board. – The Chairperson or any Member of the Board may be suspended or 
15 
removed upon due notice and hearing by the President of the Philippines, upon 
16 
the recommendation of the Commission, for neglect of duty; abuse of power; 
17 
oppression; incompetence; unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable 
18 
conduct; commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination 
19 
or tampering of the grades therein, or for any final judgment or conviction of any 
20 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude. The rights of Chairperson and 
21 
Members to be heard, to defend oneself, and to be assisted by counsel shall be 
22 
respected in the proper administrative investigation to be conducted for the 
23 
purpose. 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 13. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of the Records, Secretariat, 
26 
and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the general supervision and 
27 
administrative control of the commission. All records of the Board, including 
28 
applications for examination, examination papers and results, minutes of 
29 
deliberations, administrative, and other investigative cases involving paralegals, 
30 
shall be kept by the Commission. The Commission shall designate the secretary 
31 
of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to 
32 
implement the provisions of this Act subject to the usual government accounting 
33 
and auditing rules and regulations. 
34 


 
7 
 
1 
SEC 14. Annual Report. – The Board shall, at the close of each calendar 
2 
year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed account of its 
3 
proceedings and accomplishments during the year and recommending 
4 
measures to be adopted with the end-in-view of upgrading and improving the 
5 
conditions affecting paralegal practice in the Philippines. 
6 
 
7 
ARTICLE IV 
8 
Licensure Examination and Registration 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 15. Licensure Examination. – Applicants for registration, except those 
11 
specifically allowed under Section 20 of this Act, shall be required to undergo a 
12 
written licensure examination to be given by the Board in such places and dates 
13 
the Commission may designate subject to compliance with the requirements 
14 
prescribed by the Commission. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 16. Qualifications for Examination. – Applicants for licensure 
17 
examination must meet the following qualifications at the time of filing of 
18 
applications: 
19 
a. 
Citizen and resident of the Philippines: Provided, that citizen of a 
20 
foreign country may be allowed to take the examination, subject to 
21 
the requirement of reciprocity pursuant to Section 31 of this Act; 
22 
b. 
Possesses good moral character and must not have been convicted 
23 
of any crime involving moral turpitude; 
24 
c. 
Graduate of a Bachelor's degree conferred by a school, college, or 
25 
university recognized and duly accredited by CHED: Provided, That 
26 
six (6)  years after the effectivity of this Act, only the graduates of 
27 
the following degrees shall be allowed to qualify for application to 
28 
the licensure examination: 
29 
1. 
Bachelor of Science in Legal Management; 
30 
2. 
Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies 
31 


 
8 
 
1 
All applications for examination shall be filed with the Board which shall 
2 
assess and approve said applications and issue to the qualified examinees the 
3 
corresponding permits to take such examination. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 17. Scope of Examination. – The licensure examination shall include, 
6 
but not be limited to, the following subjects: 
7 
a. 
Government; 
8 
b. 
Judicial system; 
9 
c. 
Civil, criminal and quasi-judicial procedures; 
10 
d. 
Jurisdiction of local government units; 
11 
e. 
Ethical standards of judges, lawyers and civil servants; 
12 
f. 
Obligations and commercial contracts; 
13 
g. 
Tax and labor law compliance; and 
14 
h. 
Rules, regulations and procedures of various administrative 
15 
agencies 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 18. Rating in the Examination. – To pass the licensure examination, 
18 
a candidate must obtain a passing rating of seventy five percent (75%) in each 
19 
subject given during the examination: Provided, however, That an examinee who 
20 
obtains a passing rating in the majority of the subjects but obtains a rating in the 
21 
other subjects below seventy five percent (75%) but not lower than sixty percent 
22 
(60%), shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the subjects where 
23 
the passing rating was not obtained: Provided, finally, That should the examinee 
24 
fail to obtain a passing rating in the removal examination, the examinee shall be 
25 
considered as having failed the entire licensure examination. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 19. Report of Results of Examination. – The Board shall report to the 
28 
Commission the results of the examination and the ratings of the examinees 
29 
within ten (10) days aer the examination. 
30 


 
9 
 
1 
SEC. 20. Oath of Profession. – All successful examinees qualified for 
2 
registration and all qualified applicants for registration without examination shall 
3 
be required to take an oath of profession before any Commission Officer, or 
4 
Member of the Board or any government official authorized to administer oaths, 
5 
prior to entering into paralegal practice in the Philippines. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional 
8 
Identification Card. – The Commission, on recommendation of the Board, shall 
9 
issue a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card to each 
10 
person who passed the licensure examination for paralegals and to those who 
11 
are registered without examination under this Act and shall enter name of the 
12 
registered professional in the Roster of Paralegals. The Certificate of Registration 
13 
shall bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and the 
14 
Chairperson and Members of the Board, stamped with official seals of the Board 
15 
and Commission indicating that the person named therein is entitled to the 
16 
practice of the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. The said 
17 
Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force and effect until suspended or 
18 
revoked in accordance with this Act. A Professional Identification Card bearing 
19 
the name and signature of the registrant, registration number, date of issuance, 
20 
expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be 
21 
issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 22. Registration Without Examination. – Upon application and 
24 
payment of the required fees, the following shall be registered, and shall be 
25 
issued by the Board and the Commission a Certificate of Registration and a 
26 
Professional Identification Card without taking the prescribed examination: 
27 
a. 
Those who, on the date of the effectivity of this Act, have been 
28 
issued a certificate of completion of the Paralegal Training Program 
29 
offered by the University of the Philippines Law Center; 
30 
b. 
Those who, on the date of the effectivity of this Act, hold 
31 
permanent appointments and have at least ten (10) years of actual 
32 
experience in providing paralegal services; and 
33 


 
10 
c. 
Those who, on the date of the effectivity of this Act, hold 
1 
permanent appointments and have at least five (5) years of actual 
2 
experience in providing paralegal consultancy services. 
3 
Those so exempt under the aforementioned categories shall file their 
4 
application within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That 
5 
the renewal of the professional identification card is subject to the provisions of 
6 
Section 21 hereof. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 23. Refusal to Issue Certificate of Registration and Professional 
9 
Identification Card. – The Board shall not register any successful examinee nor 
10 
any applicant for registration without examination if one has been convicted by 
11 
a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral 
12 
turpitude or has been found guilty of immoral and dishonorable conduct after 
13 
investigation of the Board, or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The 
14 
reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 24. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration and 
17 
Professional Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary /Special Permit. 
18 
– The Board has the power, after due notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend 
19 
the Certificate of Registration or cancel a temporary or special permit of any 
20 
paralegal on any ground stated under Section 23 of this Act, or for any of the 
21 
following: unprofessional or dishonorable conduct in paralegal practice; fraud; 
22 
deceit or falsification in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional 
23 
identification card, or temporary or special permit; abatement of illegal practice 
24 
by allowing illegal use of one's Certificate of Registration, or Professional 
25 
Identification Card, or temporary or special permit; practice of profession during 
26 
the period of suspension; or any violation of this Act, its Implementing Rules and 
27 
Regulations, the Code of Ethics or the Code of Technical Standards for Paralegals, 
28 
or Board policies. The respondent may appeal the Board's decision, order or 
29 
resolution to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. 
30 
  
31 
SEC. 25. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration and 
32 
Replacement of Lost Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification 
33 
Card. – The Board after two (2) years from the date of revocation of the 
34 


 
11 
Certificate of Registration may reissue a certificate upon proper application. A 
1 
new Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, or 
2 
temporary or special permit, which has been lost, destroyed or mutilated, may 
3 
be reissued after payment of the required fee prescribed by the Commission. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 26. Roster of Paralegals. – The Board, in coordination with the 
6 
accredited and integrated national organization of paralegals, shall maintain an 
7 
up-to-date, complete and properly organized Roster containing the following 
8 
data: 
9 
a. 
alphabetical list by surname of paralegals with their addresses and 
10 
license numbers; 
11 
b. 
the list of licensees, numerically arranged by license numbers; and 
12 
c. 
such other lists which the Board may deem necessary. 
13 
 
14 
Copies of the Roster, which shall be provided to the National Library, the Civil 
15 
Service Commission, and the accredited national organization of paralegals, shall 
16 
be kept as permanent record. 
17 
 
18 
ARTICLE IV 
19 
Paralegal Practice 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 27. Prohibitions and Limitations in the Paralegal Practice. – No 
22 
person shall practice or offer to practice paralegal in the Philippines or offer 
23 
oneself as a paralegal, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to 
24 
convey the impression that one is a paralegal or advertise or indicate in any 
25 
manner whatsoever as qualified to perform the work of a paralegal unless the 
26 
person satisfactorily passed the licensure examination given by the Board, 
27 
except as otherwise provided in this Act, and is a holder of a valid certificate of 
28 
registration and a valid professional license or a valid temporary special permit 
29 
duly issued by the Board and the PRC. 
30 
 
31 


 
12 
SEC. 28. Other Prohibited Acts. – No person shall: 
1 
a. 
Represent oneself as a paralegal during the time that the 
2 
professional license is not valid, or that the Certificate of 
3 
Registration has been suspended or revoked, or that the temporary 
4 
special permit is cancelled; 
5 
b. 
Allow another person to use one's Certificate of Registration or 
6 
professional license or temporary special permit as a paralegal to 
7 
enable the person to engage in the practice of paralegal; 
8 
c. 
Use the Certificate of Registration or professional license or special 
9 
temporary permit of another paralegal. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 29. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program. - The CPD 
12 
guidelines shall be prescribed and promulgated by the PRC upon consultation 
13 
with the Board, which shall consult the integrated APO of paralegals, affiliated 
14 
association of paralegals, and other concerned sectors. The Board shall create a 
15 
CPD Council that shall be composed of a Chairperson coming from the Board, a 
16 
member from the APO of paralegal and a member from the academe. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 30. Integration of Paralegals. - All paralegals shall be integrated into 
19 
one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by the Board and by the 
20 
PRC as the one and only integrated APO of paralegals. A paralegal duly registered 
21 
with the Board shall automatically become a member of the integrated APO of 
22 
paralegal, and shall receive the benefits and privileges thereto, upon payment of 
23 
the required fees and dues. Membership in the integrated APO shall not be a bar 
24 
to membership in other associations of paralegals. 
25 
SEC. 31. Foreign Reciprocity. – No foreign paralegal shall be admitted to 
26 
the licensure examination, or be given a certificate of registration and a 
27 
professional license, or be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act, unless 
28 
the country of which is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino paralegal 
29 
to practice within its territorial limits under the same conditions and an equal 
30 
basis as its own subjects or citizens. 
31 
 
32 


 
13 
SEC. 32. Indication of License and Professional Tax Receipt. – A paralegal 
1 
shall be required to indicate the registration/professional number and date of 
2 
issuance, the duration of validity, including the Professional Tax Receipt number 
3 
on the documents one signs, or issues in connection with the practice of the 
4 
profession. 
5 
 
6 
ARTICLE V 
7 
Penal and Final Provisions 
8 
 
9 
SEC. 33. Penal Provisions. – Any violation of this Act, including violations 
10 
of Implementing Rules and Regulations, shall be meted the penalty of a fine of 
11 
not less than fifty thousand pesos (Php. 50,000.00) but not more than five 
12 
hundred thousand pesos (Php. 500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six 
13 
(6) months but not more than four ( 4) years, or both such fine and imprisonment 
14 
upon the discretion of the court. In case the violation is committed by an 
15 
unlicensed paralegal, the penalty shall be double the aforesaid fine and 
16 
imprisonment. 
17 
In case the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, 
18 
association, or any other juridical person, the partner, president, director, or 
19 
manager who has committed or consented to or knowingly tolerated such 
20 
violation shall be held directly liable and responsible for the acts as principal or 
21 
as a co- principal with the other participants, if any. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 34. Appropriations. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall 
24 
immediately include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this 
25 
Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
26 
Act and thereafter. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within six (6) months 
29 
after the effectivity of this Act, the Board, subject to the approval of the 
30 
Commission, shall promulgate, adopt, and issue rules and regulations, and the 
31 
Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards for Paralegals which shall 
32 


 
14 
take effect fifteen (15) days following publication in the official Gazette or 
1 
newspaper of general circulation. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 36. Separability Clause. – If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part 
4 
of this Act shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not 
5 
affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
8 
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, proclamations, 
9 
charters, rules or regulations and/or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent 
10 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
11 
accordingly. 
12 
  
13 
SEC. 38. Transitory Provision. – All incumbent paralegals in both the public 
14 
and private sector not otherwise certified as paralegals by virtue of this Act shall 
15 
be given six (6) years temporary certificates from the time the Board is organized 
16 
within to qualify as required of this Act and be included in the Roster. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 39. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
19 
orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
20 
inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 40. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
23 
after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation, 
24 
or on a website provided for by law.
25 
 
Approved,