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Republic of the Philippines ' 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
S. B. No. 204 
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Introduced by SENATOR JUAN EDGARDO "SONNY" M. ANG~RA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Thousands of Filipino students have acquired advanced degrees and specializeol 
training in foreign countries through various scholarships grants either of local or foreign 
funding. While these local and overseas scholarship programs have produces a sizeable 
number of high-level professionals for the country, these programs have also resulted in a 
significant brain drain for our country, Moreover, some of the returning scholars have not found 
the opportunity the maximum utilization of newly acquired knowledge and training. As a result, 
many of them leave the country in search of greener pastures abroad. 
It is imperative that the Philippines should devise a program for overseas education and 
training for the brightest and most promising Filipinos who are already employed (or self-
employed) in a branch of science or technology along identified priority areas. Such a program 
shall affect the pooling together of all foreign and local (public or private) sponsorship intended 
for further education, enrichment and training of exceptionally able and highly motivated and 
employed Filipinos, 
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The proposed legislation endeavours to provide the Philippines a continuing supply of 
highly trained leaders for industry, research and academe, 
Under th,e bill, the maximum 
utilization of returning talents will be coordinated under a single governing body where all 
scholarships under foreign and local sponsorship are pooled together. 
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Approval of the bill is, thus earnestly requested, 
~-r-__ 
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JUAN ED 
~RDO "SQNNY" M. Af'lGARA 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S. B. No. 2..0. 4: 
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Introduced by Senator JUAN EDGARDO "SONNY" M. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
CREATING AN ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR 
EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Shari Title. This bill shall be known as the "The Pensionado Act of 
2013". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. 
Human resources developments are essential for 
economic development and progress. In the pursuit of economic development and progress, 
the state shall give priority to the creation of a critical mass of elite professionals who shall take 
the lead in harnessing science, technology and related disciplines towards accelerating the 
productivity of the coul')try's human resources. 
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Consonant with this trust, it is hereby declared a policy of the state to devise a program 
for exceptionally able and highly motivated employees, preferably age 30-40, from the 
government, the private sector and/or the self-employed to undertake advanced studies in a 
branch of science, technology or [elated fields of learning on which depends the development 
and progress of the country. As such, it shall provide for fellowships to enable them to pursue 
advanced studies or research in their field of expertise. 
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The state shall develop a critical mass of first-rate specialist in various disCiplines and 
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areas of specializations vital to national development to form a collective, national "think tank" 
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who shall place continuously their knowledge and skills at the service of the nation, be it in 
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industry, the academe or the highest policy-making levels of government, with the government 
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taking the lead in harnessing their knowledge and skills for the greatest good of the country. 
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SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. 
For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
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hereunder define accordingly: 
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a) Post-graduate - formal degree course program of training/research requiring at least a 
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Master's Degree for entry; a student pursuing such program; 
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b) Advanced studies -
a post-graduate problem-oriented program of studies and/or 
research, not necessarily leading to a degree, undertaken for further specialization or 
advanced knowledge in a specific field of a study, or to acquire specialized knowledge 
and/or Skills in a particular area of science or technology. 
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c) Pensionado - a Filipino citizen selected and supported by the Philippine government 
under this program to undertake advanced studies in selected institutions of higher 
learning or recognized research centers, in fields relevant to the officially-declared 
priority areas for development. 
SEC. 4. Establishment of a Program. 
There shall be established under the 
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Commission on Higher Education, hereafter referred to as CHED, in coordination with the non-
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government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and other government agencies, namely, 
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the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and 
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Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of 
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Education (DepEd), fellowship program to be called as the "Pensionado Program" for Filipinos 
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employed in the government and the private sectors and those who are self-emloyed. 
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The program shall pool together all fellowships, scholarships, training grants sponsored 
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or extended by foreign government, agencies and other bodies, as well as by local agencies 
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and organizations, whether public or private, intended for advanced stUdies in international 
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centers of advanced learning, scholarship and research. 
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SEC. 5. 
Establishment of a National Secretariat; Functions and Composition. 
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There shall be establiShed a National Secretariat, hereafter referred to as. the Secretariat, with 
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the following functions: 
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a) Identify, and assist in negotiations with sponsors (foreign and local, public and 
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private) of fellowships, scholarships and grants; 
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b) Provide assistance to the selection panel in accomplishing its work; 
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c) Provide the Pensionados continuing assistance from the time. of selection thru the 
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time of their return to the country, including assistance for the productive utilization of 
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their newly-gained expertise; 
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d) Serve as the administrative arm of the government for the program; 
e) In general, promulgate and implement the poliCies and guidelines 'governing the 
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Program. 
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The National Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Officer with the rank of 
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Assistant Secretary, to be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines 
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upon the recommendation of the CHED. Members of the Secretariat shall consist of 
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representatives from the National Economic and 
Development' Authority (NEDA), 
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology 
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(DOST) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). These representatives shall be 
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seconded to the Secretariat for a period of one year, subject to renewal every year. Service 
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rendered thereat shall be considered as part of their performance for promotions purposes. 
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SEC. 6. 
Number of Pensionados and Length of Grant. There shall be selected 
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twenty-four (24) fellOWS annually - three (3) fellows for each priority discipline/industry field of 
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the eight (8) vital disciplines or areas of specializations identified by the CHED in consultatioA 
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with the NEDA as frontiers or new areas essential for pushing the economic and social 
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development thrusts of the country. The scholarship shall be for one year only. 
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SEC. 7. Selection Process. There shall be a Selection Panel under the Secretariat 
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conSisting of three (3) university presidents and two (2) eminent members from the academe to 
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be appointed by the CHED. They shall serve on a staggered basis for the purposes of continuity 
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and consistency, each for a term of three (3) years. The Selection Panel shall make the final 
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selection of the Pensionados from among the nominees from the academe, industry and 
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research centers. The integrity and objectives of the program are paramount' considerations for 
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the panel in making the selection. 
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SEC. 8. Qualifications. In order to qualify for the Fellowship Pr.ogram, the applicant 
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must be: 
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a) A Filipino citizen; 
b) Gainfully employed; 
c) A college degree graduate, with honors; 
dl With demonstrated leadership and proven exceptional performance in his/her 
present work; 
e) Enthusiatic in undergoing further training; 
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Willing to sign a contract requiring him/her to return to his/her job in another capacity 
after one year of training. 
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SEC. 9. Place of Study. The Pensionados shall be sent to a foreign country well-known 
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for its advanced stage in particular discipline of area of specialization. Training and education 
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may be an academic institution, research and development center (R&D) or a major industrial 
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establishment with and R&D program. It mayor may not lead to an advanced academic 
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degree. 
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SEC. 10. Assistance to Grantees. The Pension ados is entitled to the following benefits: 
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a) One year leave with pay, including allowances and other benefits; 
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b) One economy round-trip air fare to and from the host country plus other travel expenses 
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required for foreign travel; 
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c) Clothing allowance to be determined by the Secretariat; 
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d) Monthly stipend while on study abroad, of such amount to determined by the Secretariat; 
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e) Books/Instructional Materials/Research allowance of such amount to be t;letermined by 
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the Secretariat; 
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Health, Travel and Insurance fees of such amount to be determined by the Secretariat. 
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SEC. 11. Program Funding. The cost of each fellowship grant shall be shared by the 
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Pensionado's employer and the National Government. 
The employer pays the salary, 
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allowances and other benefits due the Fellow as employed during one year period of advanced 
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studies overseas while the national Government, thru the program, shall be responsible for 
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items b, c, d, e, and f as enumerated in Section 10 hereof. With the tr~nsfer of all pertinent 
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foreign and local grants for coordination under the Program, the government, thru the Program~ 
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may negotiate bilateral arrangements with hosts governments, host universities, host research 
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institutions and host corporations to share at least 50% of the total cost of items b,c,d.e and f 
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under Section 10 hereof. 
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The National Government may also negotiate bilateral agreements with host 
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governments, host universities, research institutions and corporations to enable our scholars to 
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stay abroad and continue their studies or training at a minimal cost to the mational Government. 
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A sharing program can be established where the host government, host-universities, research 
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institutions and corporations can pick up of the expenses of the scholars while he is abroad. 
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SEC. 12. Service Obligation. Immediately upon completion of the s!udies or training, a 
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fellow shall be required to return to his job or in another capacity approved by the Secretariat 
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and serve on a full-time basis for a minimum period equivalent to twice the period covered by 
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the fellowship grant. 
In addition, the scholar shall be required to hold· seminars or training 
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sessions for employees from the government and the private sectors on topics related to the 
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course or training he has completed. Any recipient of the program who has not completed his 
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course shall reimburse the Fellowship the grant received or render service to the sponsoring 
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agency or company for a period equivalent to the period covered by the fellows~ip grant. Any 
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Pensionado who violates the service obligation imposed under this section shall reimburse the 
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sponsoring agency or company and the national Government of the Fund assistance received 
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under this act in full or in part as the case may be. 
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SEC. 13. Mechanism for Utilization of Returned Fellows. There shall be established and 
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developed a National Network of Specialized Institutes for Advanced studies in universities 
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selected by CHED in consultation with the DOST and other appropriate agencies to be 
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determined by the Secretariat to provide returned scholars an office, laboratory, library and 
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conference facilities for their continuing activities. The Institute shall also'serve as a place for 
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an Exchange Program and Collaborative research among local and international scientist anq 
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scholars in priority areas of research and development. 
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The National Government may, thru CHED and/or the National Secretariat, negotiate 
bilateral 
agreements with 
foreign government, 
universities, 
research 
institutions and 
corporations, public and private, to effect exchange of scholars and sCieqtists for collaborative 
advanced studies, as well as to equip the Institute for purposes of benefit to the cause of 
scholar and scientists for collaborative advanced studies, as well as to ~quip the Institute for 
purposes of benefit to the cause of scholarly or scientific advancement and national 
development. 
A sharing program may be established whereby the host government/university!institution! 
corporation can pick up part of the expenses of the Fellow in pursuit of his!her Fellowship. 
SEC. 14. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the national government. Thereafter, the funds 
necessary for the continuous implementation of the program shall be included ir the General 
Appropriations Act. The Program shall receive 2% from the share of the.DOST. and 1% from 
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the share if the Philippine Youth Commission in the Bases Conversion Development Authority 
(BCDA) proceeds. 
SEC. 15. Transfer of other fellowship, scholarship and training grants. All foreign ancj 
locally sponsored fellowship, scholarship and training grants will be transferred to the program 
for coordination. With respect to government employees who may be affected by the transfer, 
the pertinent rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall apply. 
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SEC. 16. Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the 
Secretariat shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of the provisions thereof. 
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SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
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thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 18. Separability Clause. In the event any of the provisions of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by.such declaration. 
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SEC. 19. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after:" its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulcition. 
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Approved, 
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