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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate bill seeks free board, bar exams for qualified indigents

Senate bill seeks free board, bar exams for qualified indigents

Published May 31, 2026 02:10 pm

At A Glance

  • A bill seeking to make professional examinations free for qualified indigents is now being pushed in the Senate.


A bill seeking to make professional examinations free for qualified indigents is now being pushed in the Senate.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, in filing Senate Bill No. 2035 or the proposed “Free Professional Examinations Act” said it is imperative to provide free examinations to bar and board takers who are qualified indigent to help them achieve their dream profession and improve their lives.

Senate Bill No. 2035, he said, primarily exempts a qualified indigent from paying examination fees.

“It is a reality for many Filipinos to finish school but never get the license they worked hard for due to a lack of funds. Instead of paying for licensure exam fees, they tend to start working—often becoming underemployed—just to get by,” Tulfo lamented.

The senator further said this gap not only deprives poor Filipinos from opportunities to improve their lives, but also limits the country’s pool for next generation of licensed professionals.

SB No. 2035 covers the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Board Exams, Civil Service Eligibility Exams, and Bar Exams.

Under the said proposal, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be tasked to determine who are the qualified to take the bar or board exams for free.

The DSWD will issue the certification to be presented to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Civil Service Commission (CSC), or the Supreme Court.

Under the bill, the said benefit is limited to only once a year to ensure the measure’s objective is satisfied,

“Many of our young students even take on side hustles just to get through graduation; let us help them fully realize their dream of becoming licensed professionals,” Tulfo stressed.

Related Tags

INDIGENT Board exam Bar exams Erwin Tulfo
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