"according to manila businessman, tonyboy ongsiako, there is so much wit in the philippines because we are a country where a good sense of humor is needed to survive."
- fwr by aceoralde@yahoo.com 2007 aug 23
26 August 2007
cognitive therapy quotes
"all that we are is the result of what we have thought."
- buddha
"begin with the end in mind."
- stephen covey
http://quotations.about.com/od/inspirationquotes/tp/10_inspiration.htm
- buddha
"begin with the end in mind."
- stephen covey
http://quotations.about.com/od/inspirationquotes/tp/10_inspiration.htm
23 August 2007
positive psychology
Re: Psycho-spiritual Integration, Positive Psychology
Fr: Excerpts of Wendy Schuman’s interview with Dr. Martin Seligman (underscore mine)
The Psychology of Real Happiness
Psychologist Martin Seligman helped change his profession's focus from what's wrong with people to what's right with them.
Dr. Martin Seligman is a pioneer in the areas of positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism and pessimism. Currently Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, he is the author of 20 books, including "Learned Optimism" and "The Optimistic Child." His latest book is "Authentic Happiness." He spoke with Wendy Schuman about how his work has influenced his views on happiness and spirituality.
Q: You're called the father of positive psychology. When you were president of the American Psychological Association, you brought a revolutionary change to the focus of what psychologists were doing. Could you talk about how that happened?
A: It used to be that whenever I introduced myself to people and told them I was a psychologist, they would shrink away from me. Because quite rightly the impression the American public has of psychologists is "You want to know what's wrong with me." Having paid 35 years of dues learning what's wrong with people, I had my own epiphany which convinced me that what psychology needed to do was to ask not just about the disabling conditions of life, the things that prevent us from having fulfilling lives, but what are the enabling conditions. I came to the belief that we needed to have a psychology to complement the psychology of suffering--a psychology of the best things in life and how to build them.
Q: What was the epiphany that led you to study happiness?
A: Almost everything I've done that involved big changes in life has happened in a flash. This happened when my daughter Nikki and I were gardening, and she was just five. I should confess that when I garden, I'm goal-directed, time-urgent. Nikki was throwing weeds in the air and dancing around, and I yelled at her. She came back to me and said, "Daddy, do you remember before I was five, I whined all the time, I whined everyday? Did you notice that since my fifth birthday I haven't whined at all?" I said, Yes, Nikki. "Well, Daddy, that was because on my birthday I decided I wasn't going to whine anymore. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And if I can stop whining, you can stop being so grumpy!"
In a flash I saw three things: [1] first that she was right about me, I really was a nimbus cloud, and probably any success I had in life was probably not due to being a grouch but was in spite of it. [2] And I saw that our usual theory of child-rearing was incorrect. I realized my job with Nikki was not to correct her errors but to take this virtue that she had just shown and somehow amplify it, help her use it as a buffer against troubles. That raised the question of strength and virtue.
[3] And finally I realized that my profession was half-baked, that the baked part was about suffering, but the unbaked part was about positive emotion and virtue and positive institutions. In that moment, in a classical religious sense, I acquired a mission. And that mission is still with me, it's what I've been doing full-time since 1998.
Q: In your book, you call it "authentic happiness." What in your view is authentic happiness?
A: I divide happiness into three completely different kinds of life: [1] the pleasant life-and if you're really good at the pleasures, if you're in the upper 50% of positive affectivity, you can lead a pleasant life-that revolves around felt joys and pleasures. It turns out, though, there are a lot of people who don't feel pleasure. Half the population is at the bottom. But often those people lead lives that are very close to what Aristotle called [2] "the good life," which is the second route to happiness. It's knowing what your highest strengths and virtues are and using them all the time-in work, in love, in play, in parenting. There are shortcuts to the pleasant life-drugs, loveless sex, television, shopping; but there are no shortcuts to the good life. It involves knowing what your signature strengths are, and then learning how to use them more often. That's the reason I call this "authentic happiness."
And the third [route to happiness] is the [3] meaningful life: that's knowing your signature strengths, and using them in the service of something much larger than you are. There are no shortcuts.
Q: You speak in your book about faith and spirituality. What role do they play in happiness?
A: Quite a number of roles. First, there's been evidence for a long time that people who are seriously religious are less depressed and happier and more optimistic. Secondly, people who are seriously religious are at a tremendous advantage with the third kind of happy life, the meaningful life. They use their signature strengths in the service of something much larger than they are, and that is a tried-and-true route to life satisfaction. But part of my concern is the enormous number of people who, like myself, have no religious beliefs, and yet want to lead a meaningful life. That's what the last chapter in the book's about.
Fr: Excerpts of Wendy Schuman’s interview with Dr. Martin Seligman (underscore mine)
The Psychology of Real Happiness
Psychologist Martin Seligman helped change his profession's focus from what's wrong with people to what's right with them.
Dr. Martin Seligman is a pioneer in the areas of positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, and optimism and pessimism. Currently Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, he is the author of 20 books, including "Learned Optimism" and "The Optimistic Child." His latest book is "Authentic Happiness." He spoke with Wendy Schuman about how his work has influenced his views on happiness and spirituality.
Q: You're called the father of positive psychology. When you were president of the American Psychological Association, you brought a revolutionary change to the focus of what psychologists were doing. Could you talk about how that happened?
A: It used to be that whenever I introduced myself to people and told them I was a psychologist, they would shrink away from me. Because quite rightly the impression the American public has of psychologists is "You want to know what's wrong with me." Having paid 35 years of dues learning what's wrong with people, I had my own epiphany which convinced me that what psychology needed to do was to ask not just about the disabling conditions of life, the things that prevent us from having fulfilling lives, but what are the enabling conditions. I came to the belief that we needed to have a psychology to complement the psychology of suffering--a psychology of the best things in life and how to build them.
Q: What was the epiphany that led you to study happiness?
A: Almost everything I've done that involved big changes in life has happened in a flash. This happened when my daughter Nikki and I were gardening, and she was just five. I should confess that when I garden, I'm goal-directed, time-urgent. Nikki was throwing weeds in the air and dancing around, and I yelled at her. She came back to me and said, "Daddy, do you remember before I was five, I whined all the time, I whined everyday? Did you notice that since my fifth birthday I haven't whined at all?" I said, Yes, Nikki. "Well, Daddy, that was because on my birthday I decided I wasn't going to whine anymore. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And if I can stop whining, you can stop being so grumpy!"
In a flash I saw three things: [1] first that she was right about me, I really was a nimbus cloud, and probably any success I had in life was probably not due to being a grouch but was in spite of it. [2] And I saw that our usual theory of child-rearing was incorrect. I realized my job with Nikki was not to correct her errors but to take this virtue that she had just shown and somehow amplify it, help her use it as a buffer against troubles. That raised the question of strength and virtue.
[3] And finally I realized that my profession was half-baked, that the baked part was about suffering, but the unbaked part was about positive emotion and virtue and positive institutions. In that moment, in a classical religious sense, I acquired a mission. And that mission is still with me, it's what I've been doing full-time since 1998.
Q: In your book, you call it "authentic happiness." What in your view is authentic happiness?
A: I divide happiness into three completely different kinds of life: [1] the pleasant life-and if you're really good at the pleasures, if you're in the upper 50% of positive affectivity, you can lead a pleasant life-that revolves around felt joys and pleasures. It turns out, though, there are a lot of people who don't feel pleasure. Half the population is at the bottom. But often those people lead lives that are very close to what Aristotle called [2] "the good life," which is the second route to happiness. It's knowing what your highest strengths and virtues are and using them all the time-in work, in love, in play, in parenting. There are shortcuts to the pleasant life-drugs, loveless sex, television, shopping; but there are no shortcuts to the good life. It involves knowing what your signature strengths are, and then learning how to use them more often. That's the reason I call this "authentic happiness."
And the third [route to happiness] is the [3] meaningful life: that's knowing your signature strengths, and using them in the service of something much larger than you are. There are no shortcuts.
Q: You speak in your book about faith and spirituality. What role do they play in happiness?
A: Quite a number of roles. First, there's been evidence for a long time that people who are seriously religious are less depressed and happier and more optimistic. Secondly, people who are seriously religious are at a tremendous advantage with the third kind of happy life, the meaningful life. They use their signature strengths in the service of something much larger than they are, and that is a tried-and-true route to life satisfaction. But part of my concern is the enormous number of people who, like myself, have no religious beliefs, and yet want to lead a meaningful life. That's what the last chapter in the book's about.
22 August 2007
inner healing, steps
Re: Healing, Steps
Fr: Janis Abrahms, Ph.D. & Michael Spring (2004). How can I forgive you? The courage to forgive, the freedom not to. Harper Collins.
How to Accept Yourself in 10 Steps
We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.
-Carl Jung
Acceptance is a gutsy, life-affirming response to violation when the person who hurt you is unavailable or unrepentant. It asks nothing of anyone but you. Unlike Cheap Forgiveness or Refusing to Forgive, it is based on a personal decision to take control of your pain, make sense of your injury, and carve out a relationship with the offender that works for you.
Judith Herman points out in Trauma and Recovery that you aren't responsible for the harm that was done to you, but you are responsible for your recovery. In other words, your freedom lies not in protesting the unfairness of the violation or in getting the offender to care. Your freedom — perhaps your only freedom — is in deciding how to survive and transcend the injury. Don't underestimate this freedom: it's enormous. With it comes the power to decide how you're going to live the rest of your life. As you take the task of healing into your own hands, you empower and make peace with the past.
The Ten Steps of Acceptance
When you accept someone:
Step 1: You honor the full sweep of your emotions.
Step 2: You give up your need for revenge but continue to seek a just resolution.
Step 3: You stop obsessing about the injury and reengage with life.
Step 4: You protect yourself from further abuse.
Step 5: You frame the offender's behavior in terms of his own personal struggles.
Step 6: You look honestly at your own contribution to the injury.
Step 7: You challenge your false assumptions about what happened.
Step 8: You look at the offender apart from his offense, weighing the good against the bad.
Step 9: You carefully decide what kind of relationship you want with him.
Step 10: You forgive yourself for your own failings.
- fwd by aceoralde@yahoo.com 2007 aug
Fr: Janis Abrahms, Ph.D. & Michael Spring (2004). How can I forgive you? The courage to forgive, the freedom not to. Harper Collins.
How to Accept Yourself in 10 Steps
We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.
-Carl Jung
Acceptance is a gutsy, life-affirming response to violation when the person who hurt you is unavailable or unrepentant. It asks nothing of anyone but you. Unlike Cheap Forgiveness or Refusing to Forgive, it is based on a personal decision to take control of your pain, make sense of your injury, and carve out a relationship with the offender that works for you.
Judith Herman points out in Trauma and Recovery that you aren't responsible for the harm that was done to you, but you are responsible for your recovery. In other words, your freedom lies not in protesting the unfairness of the violation or in getting the offender to care. Your freedom — perhaps your only freedom — is in deciding how to survive and transcend the injury. Don't underestimate this freedom: it's enormous. With it comes the power to decide how you're going to live the rest of your life. As you take the task of healing into your own hands, you empower and make peace with the past.
The Ten Steps of Acceptance
When you accept someone:
Step 1: You honor the full sweep of your emotions.
Step 2: You give up your need for revenge but continue to seek a just resolution.
Step 3: You stop obsessing about the injury and reengage with life.
Step 4: You protect yourself from further abuse.
Step 5: You frame the offender's behavior in terms of his own personal struggles.
Step 6: You look honestly at your own contribution to the injury.
Step 7: You challenge your false assumptions about what happened.
Step 8: You look at the offender apart from his offense, weighing the good against the bad.
Step 9: You carefully decide what kind of relationship you want with him.
Step 10: You forgive yourself for your own failings.
- fwd by aceoralde@yahoo.com 2007 aug
laughter the best medicine
Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds"
7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."
8. Don 't use any punctuation
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat with a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."
12. Sing Along At The Opera
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!"
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!"
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity.... ...Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.
It's Called Therapy!
- fwd by bem_g_r@yahoo.com, 2007 agu 22
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds"
7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."
8. Don 't use any punctuation
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat with a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."
12. Sing Along At The Opera
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!"
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!"
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity.... ...Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.
It's Called Therapy!
- fwd by bem_g_r@yahoo.com, 2007 agu 22
21 August 2007
unforgiveness
fr: michael h. brown. "for the miracle of healing, there is a link between the eucharist and forgiveness." http://www.spiritdaily.org/Life%20in%20Christ/ricestory.htm
> diagnosis: unforgiveness
"... as [dr. bob] rice points out [in his book "the holy eucharist"], many things that trouble us can be traced to the fact that we still harbor 'UNFORGIVENESS'.
"...when we haven't yet forgiven somebody something, it holds us in check. it ginds us. it may even be responsible for failures in our lives (many hidden problems), and is OFTEN THE REASON FOR ILLNESS.
"this has been asserted by many other healers (including fr. degrandis, a healing priest) & now dr. rice -- a former pentecostal, now a catholic lay healer -- combines the idea with the real presence.
"lack of forgiveness can and will eat away at you like a CANCER,' he writes. 'it can hinder us from being healed and having our prayers answered.
> treatment: forgiveness
FORGIVENESS, on the other hand, can open the doors to you and bring you HEALTH."
> diagnosis: unforgiveness
"... as [dr. bob] rice points out [in his book "the holy eucharist"], many things that trouble us can be traced to the fact that we still harbor 'UNFORGIVENESS'.
"...when we haven't yet forgiven somebody something, it holds us in check. it ginds us. it may even be responsible for failures in our lives (many hidden problems), and is OFTEN THE REASON FOR ILLNESS.
"this has been asserted by many other healers (including fr. degrandis, a healing priest) & now dr. rice -- a former pentecostal, now a catholic lay healer -- combines the idea with the real presence.
"lack of forgiveness can and will eat away at you like a CANCER,' he writes. 'it can hinder us from being healed and having our prayers answered.
> treatment: forgiveness
FORGIVENESS, on the other hand, can open the doors to you and bring you HEALTH."
proactive attitude
re: analogies
(1) driver
"... we cannot change anything by focusing all our attention on it. to try to improve the quality of our lives while thinking about what is wrong with them is like trying to drive a car forward by looking in the rearview mirror. you don't get anywhere in life by looking at where you've been or even where you're at. you get there by looking at where you are going and developiong a DETERMINED ATTITUDE to remain headed in that direction.
(2) tightrope walker
"... as any tightrope walker will tell you, it doesn't pay to look down.... safety lies in keeping the gaze forward, in the direction of the PERCEIVED GOAL, for ti si only there that the CORRECT PERSPECTIVE is to be found.
"and always, always remember this: a better life is created by a better attitude. and only you can determine what your attitude will be."
- kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.html
(1) driver
"... we cannot change anything by focusing all our attention on it. to try to improve the quality of our lives while thinking about what is wrong with them is like trying to drive a car forward by looking in the rearview mirror. you don't get anywhere in life by looking at where you've been or even where you're at. you get there by looking at where you are going and developiong a DETERMINED ATTITUDE to remain headed in that direction.
(2) tightrope walker
"... as any tightrope walker will tell you, it doesn't pay to look down.... safety lies in keeping the gaze forward, in the direction of the PERCEIVED GOAL, for ti si only there that the CORRECT PERSPECTIVE is to be found.
"and always, always remember this: a better life is created by a better attitude. and only you can determine what your attitude will be."
- kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.html
decision making, quotes
"the ultimate empowerment is choosing whether to move up or down in altitude."
- lola jones
commentary:
"... the idead that we can change our circumstances by choice seems almost nonsensical. but the truth remains: WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE.
"and WE ARE ALWAYS CHOOSING. in fact, even when we've convinced ourselves we have no choice, we are making one: we are choosing to NOT take control of the situation. by doing so, we lock ourselves into believing we have no options available. this dis-empowers us, draining our energy and literally turning us into captives in our own mind-made prisons.
- kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.html
- lola jones
commentary:
"... the idead that we can change our circumstances by choice seems almost nonsensical. but the truth remains: WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE.
"and WE ARE ALWAYS CHOOSING. in fact, even when we've convinced ourselves we have no choice, we are making one: we are choosing to NOT take control of the situation. by doing so, we lock ourselves into believing we have no options available. this dis-empowers us, draining our energy and literally turning us into captives in our own mind-made prisons.
- kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.html
positive thinking, quotes
"a strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug."
- patricia neal*
"if you don't believe you can win the superbowl, you can't win it."
- mike dikta, coach, chicago bears*
*as quoted by kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.htm
- patricia neal*
"if you don't believe you can win the superbowl, you can't win it."
- mike dikta, coach, chicago bears*
*as quoted by kate nowak, http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/820.htm
15 August 2007
enthusiasm
august 8, 2007
today, i interviewed a 62-year-old american architect applying for a senior manager -urban planning role. despite his age, he showed a lot of energy and enthusiasm. he describes himself as hardworking, adding that he tends to get bored easily. moreover, he said that he wakes up every morning raring to go to work to exercise his creative abilities, to "think outside the box." if i'm not mistaken, when asked, he said that he usually sleeps only for 5 hours.
at the same time, he is a very devoted family man. when asked about his greatest achievement in life so far, he spontaneously said "my children and grandchildren". he has 6 children and 25 (!!!) grandchildren in the US and canada!
inspiring wise old man!
today, i interviewed a 62-year-old american architect applying for a senior manager -urban planning role. despite his age, he showed a lot of energy and enthusiasm. he describes himself as hardworking, adding that he tends to get bored easily. moreover, he said that he wakes up every morning raring to go to work to exercise his creative abilities, to "think outside the box." if i'm not mistaken, when asked, he said that he usually sleeps only for 5 hours.
at the same time, he is a very devoted family man. when asked about his greatest achievement in life so far, he spontaneously said "my children and grandchildren". he has 6 children and 25 (!!!) grandchildren in the US and canada!
inspiring wise old man!
11 August 2007
the guidance and counseling act of 2004
Re: The Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004
Fr: http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/ra_no9258.htm
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Twelfth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eighth day of July, two thousand and three.
___o0o___
[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9258 ]
AN ACT PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING AND CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, 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
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY,DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote the improvement, advancement, and protection of the guidance and counseling profession by undertaking and instituting measures that will result in professional, ethical, relevant, efficient, and effective guidance and counseling services for the development and enrichment of individuals and group lives.
The State recognizes the important role of guidance counselors in nation-building and promotes the sustained development of a reservoir of guidance counselors whose competence have been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of professional practice and service are world-class and internationally recognized, globally competitive through preventive regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their continuing professional development.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a. Guidance and Counseling is a profession that involves the use of an integrated approach to the development of a well-functioning individual primarily by helping him/her to utilize his /her potentials to the fullest and plan his/her future in accordance with his/her abilities, interests and needs. It includes functions such as counseling, psychological testing, (as to personality, career interest, study orientation, mental ability and aptitude), research, placement, group process, teaching and practicing of guidance and counseling subjects, particularly subjects given in the licensure examinations, and other human development services.
b. A guidance counselor is a natural person who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in accordance with this Act and by virtue of specialized training performs for a fee, salary or other forms of compensation, the functions of guidance and counseling under Section 3 (a) of this Act.
ARTICLE II
THE PROFESSIONA REGULATORY BOARD OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
SEC. 4. Creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling. – There shall be created a Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a Chairman and two (2) members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from among a list of three (3) recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission from a list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the accredited and integrated organization of guidance counselors.
SEC. 5. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board. – The Professional Regulatory Board shall have the following specific powers, duties and responsibilities.
a. Supervise and regulate the practice of Guidance and Counseling;
b. Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for registration with or without licensure examinations and for issuance of special permits;
c. Prepare the examination questions in accordance with Section 15 hereof of the modifications thereof, and correct and rate the examination papers through a process of computerization;
d. Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi for the subjects in the licensure examination, in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the academe and the accredited professional organization;
e. Register successful examines in the licensure examination and issue the corresponding certificates of registration;
f. Issue special/temporary permits to foreign guidance counselors to practice Guidance and Counseling for specific projects and for a specific duration of time for a fee or on medical mission without a fee;
g. Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of Guidance and Counseling, conduct ocular inspection of places where guidance counselors practice their profession, and adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional, technical and ethical standards;
h. Ensure, in coordination with the CHED, that all educational institutions offering the course/program of Guidance and Counseling comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the said course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;
i. Promulgate rules and regulations including a Code of Ethics, a Code of Technical Standards for guidance counselors and administrative policies, orders and issuances, to carry out the provisions of this Act;
j. Investigate violations of this Act and the Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards, administrative policies, orders and issuances promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Board. The rule on administrative investigation promulgated by the Commission shall govern in such investigation;
k. Issue subpoena or subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance of respondents and witnesses or the production of documents relative to the investigation conducted by the Board;
l. Render decision, order or resolution on preliminary investigation or inquiry against violators of this Act, Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards or any policy on under policy on undocked cases and on docketed administrative cases against examines or registrants, which shall become final and executory unless appealed with the Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the copy thereof:
m. Issue, suspend, revoke or re-issue any license for the practice of Guidance and Counseling as defined in this Act;
n. Administer oaths necessary for the effective implementation of this Act;
o. Initiate criminal action against any violator of this Act and/or the rules and regulations of the Board;
p. Adopt the official seal of the Board;
q. Prescribe guidelines and criteria on the continuing professional education (CPE);
r. Adopt such measures necessary and proper for the maintenance of high ethical and professional standards in the practice of the profession; and
s. Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act.
The policies, resolutions and rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Board shall be subject to review and approval by the Commission; however, the Board’s decisions, resolutions or orders which are not interlocutory, rendered in an administrative case, shall be subject to review only if on appeal with the Commission. The decision of the Board and/or the Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the Rules of Court.
SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Professional Regulatory Board Members. – The Chairman and members of the Professional Regulatory Board, at the time of their appointment shall:
a. Be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
b. Be a resident of the country for at least five (5) years immediately prior to his/her appointment;
c. Be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
d. Be a qualified guidance counselor holding a valid Certificate of Registration: Provided, That in the case of the first members of the Board of Guidance and Counseling, they shall be issued Certificates of Registration as guidance counselors without prior examination;
e. Be a holder of a doctoral degree in Guidance and Counseling from a reputable college or university duly recognized by the CHED and/or by a duly accredited college or university abroad;
f. Have at least ten (10) years of continuous professional practice as a guidance counselor or counselor educator under this Act;
g. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where regular and/or review courses in guidance and counseling education is taught nor have any pecuniary interest in such institution; and
h. Not be an official of the integrated and accredited national professional organization.
SEC. 7. Term of Office. – The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for a second term. Of the members to be appointed for the first Board, one (1) member shall hold office as Chairman for three (3) years; one (1) as member for two (2) years; and one (1) member for a term of one (1) year. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member shall take the proper oath to assumption of duty.
SEC. 8. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services. - All records of the Board, including application for examination and administrative and other investigative cases shall be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and support services to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. – The Chairman and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the chairman and members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 10. Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Board Members. – The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving the concerned member an opportunity to defend himself/herself in a proper administrative investigation to be conducted by the Commission, may remove and suspend any member on the following grounds;
a. neglect of duty or incompetence;
b. violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional and Technical Standards for guidance counselors;
c. conviction by final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude;
d. manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination results, disclosure of secret information or the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination, or tampering of the grades therein; or
e. conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense by the courts.
SEC. 11. Annual Report – The Chairman of the Board, shall after the close of the fiscal year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed accounting of the proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as the Board may desire to make.
ARTICLE III
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
SEC. 12. Examination Required. All applicants for registration for the practice of Guidance and Counseling shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be given by the Board and the Commission in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance with Republic Act No. 8981, subject to compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.
SEC. 13. Qualifications for Examination. In order to qualify for the examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing the application, be:
a. a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of Guidance and Counseling;
b. has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court; and
c. holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling or in other allied disciplines and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from an institution in the Philippines or abroad recognized and accredited by the CHED.
SEC. 14. Registration Without Taking Licensure Examination. – A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the examination for registration as a guidance counselor pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be registered without examination: Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within two (2) years after its creation, an application for registration and issuance of a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card by submitting credentials showing that the applicant before the effectivity of this Act:
a. Had been doctoral and masters degree holders in Guidance and Counseling with at least three (3) years of teaching experience in Guidance and Counseling courses and/or full-time counseling practice for the same period;
b. Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of Master’s level courses in Guidance and Counseling such as Counseling Techniques/Theories, Organization and Administration of Guidance Services, Tests and Measurement, Group Process/ Counseling and Career Guidance/Counseling; and have, at least seven (7) years of experience in counseling work; and
c. Had completed academic requirements for a master’s degree in guidance and counseling and have five (5) years experience as full-time guidance counselors.
SEC. 15. Scope of Examination – The examination shall cover the following subject areas:
a. Philosophical, Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Guidance;
b. Counseling Theories, Tools and Techniques;
c. Psychological Testing;
d. Organization and Administration of Guidance Services; and
e. Group Process and Program Development.
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude any of the subjects and their syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises.
SEC. 16. Reports of Ratings. - The Board shall, within ten (10) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to the Commission.
SEC. 17. Ratings in the Examination and Re-examination. – To be qualified as having passed the licensure examination for guidance counselors, a candidate must have obtained a weighted general average of seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade lower than sixty percent (60%) in any given subject. However, an examinee who obtains a weighted average of seventy-five percent (75%) or higher but obtains a rating below sixty percent (60%) in any given subject, must take an examination in the subject or subjects where he obtained a grade below sixty percent (60%) within two (2) years from the date of the last examination. The subject or subjects retaken must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) in order to qualify as having passed the examination.
SEC. 18. Oath-Taking. – All successful examines shall be required to take a professional oath before any member of the Board or any officer of the Commission authorized by the PRC, or any officer authorized by law.
SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. – A Certificate of Registration as a guidance counselor shall be issued to any applicant who passes the examination or who is registered without examination, bearing the signature of the Commission Chairperson and the Chairman and members of the Board, and the official seal of the Board.
A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the Commission Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.
SEC. 20. Roster of Guidance Counselors. - The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization, shall keep a roster of the names, residence and office addresses of all registered and licensed guidance counselors and the said roster shall be made available to the public upon request.
SEC. 21. Integration of Guidance Counselors. – All registered/licensed guidance counselors whose names appear in the roster of guidance counselors shall be united and integrated through their automatic membership in a one (1) and only registered and accredited national organization of registered/licensed guidance counselors which the Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall recognize and accredit after consultation with all existing organizations of registered and licensed guidance counselors and, if possible, with all those who are not members of any of the said organization. The members in the said integrated and accredited national organization shall receive benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of required fees and dues. Membership in the Integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership in any other association of guidance counselors.
SEC. 22. Indication of Certificate of Registration Number and Professional Tax Receipts (PTR). – The guidance counselor shall be required to indicate his/her certificate of registration number, the date of issuance, the period of validity of the license, including the professional tax receipt number on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of his/her profession.
SEC. 23. Practice Through Special /Temporary Permit. – Special/temporary permit may be issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof, to the following persons:
1. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states whose services are either for a fee or free;
a. If they are internationally well-known counselors or outstanding experts in any branch or specialty of guidance and counseling; and
b. If their services are urgently and importantly necessary for lack of, or inadequacy of available local specialists/experts for the promotion or advancement of the practice of guidance and counseling through transfer of technology.
1. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states whose services shall be free and limited to indigent patients in a particular hospital, center or clinic;
2. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states employed as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of guidance and counseling in schools, colleges, universities offering the course of guidance and counseling.
The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations and conditions for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the branch or specialty of guidance counseling, and the specific place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center, school/college/university offering the course of guidance and counseling. The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall prescribe rules and regulations on the implementation of this particular section.
SEC. 24. Denial, Suspension, Revocation of a Certificate of Registration, Cancellation of Special Permit. - The application for registration and the issuance of a Certificate of Registration may be denied for any of these causes:
a. Conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court;
b. Finding of guilty by the Professional Regulatory Board for immoral and/or dishonorable conduct; and
c. Declaration by the court of the applicant as being insane.
The Certificate of Registration may be revoked or suspended, or the special permit may be cancelled for any of the above-enumerated causes including the following: fraudulent acquisition of Certificate of Registration and or special permit; abetment or tolerance of illegal practice by unqualified person through the use by the latter of guidance counselor’s certificate, or special permit; violation of any provision of this Act, rules and regulations of the Board and the Commission and other policies thereof, including the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for guidance counselors; unethical, immoral, dishonorable or unprofessional conduct; malpractice; guilty of drug or alcohol abuse impairing his/her ability to practice his/her profession; and practice of the profession during period of suspension by one whose Certificate of Registration had been suspended by the Board.
No certificate shall be denied, revoked or suspended for any of the reasons herein provided, until after sworn complaint in writing against the applicant or holder thereof shall have been filed and heard in a public hearing or upon request, behind closed doors.
SEC. 25. Reinstatement. - A person may apply to the Board for reinstatement of a certificate the issuance of which has been duly revoked at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform to the requirements provided by the Board. No certificate shall be reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good cause exists to warrant such reinstatement.
SEC. 26. Appeal – The decision on the denial or refusal to issue Certificate of Registration, the revocation or suspension of the Certificate of Registration or cancellation of special permit by the Board shall be final unless appealed to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from recipe of the decision. The decision of the Board and/or Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
SEC. 27. – Prohibition Against the Practice of Guidance and Counseling. – No person shall (a) engage in the practice of guidance and counseling without a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card or a special permit; (b) make representations to the public or to third persons as a licensed guidance counselor during the time that the license has been revoked or suspended, and, (c) allow anybody to use his/her license as guidance counselor to enable such unqualified individual to engage in the practice of guidance and counseling.
No corporation, partnership, association or entity shall operate a guidance and counseling office or center, or otherwise engage in the practice of guidance and counseling without securing a permit from the Board, which shall be issued only after it has satisfied itself that such establishment is properly staffed by duly licensed guidance counselors.
Any unethical practice of guidance and counseling as may be defined in a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards to be prepared by the Board in consultation with guidance counselors, is prohibited.
SEC. 28. Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors. – A certified guidance counselor who is allowed to practice guidance and counseling in accordance with this Act cannot, without the consent of the client, be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending to such client. The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of a licensed guidance counselor, who may be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity.
Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
SEC. 29. Foreign Reciprocity. – No foreign guidance counselor shall be admitted to the examination, or be given a Certificate of Registration, or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this Act unless the country or state of which he/she is a subject or citizen permits Filipino guidance counselors to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state: Provided, That the requirements for certification of guidance counselors in said foreign state or country are substantially the same as those required and contemplated under this Act. Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privilege to Filipino guidance counselors on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.
ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 30. Funding Provisions. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall include in the Commission’s programs the implementation of this Act. The funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 31. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. – Any law enforcement agency shall, upon call or request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforcing this Act, including all the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by prosecuting the violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.
SEC. 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the integrated and accredited professional organization, to implement the provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.
SEC. 33. Penalty Clause. – Any person who violates any provision of this Act and the rules and regulations issued by the Board and the Commission or commits fraud in the acquisition of Certificate of Registration or special permit, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both in the discretion of the court.
SEC. 34. Separability Clause. – If any of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and operational.
SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, circulars, rules and regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 36. Effectivity. – This Act take effect one (1) month after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENESIA JR.
President of the Senate Speaker of the House of the Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 5253 and Senate Bill No. 2128 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 20, 2004 and January 19, 2004, respectively.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary of the Senate Secretary General House of Representatives
Approved: Mar. 02 2004
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines
Fr: http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/ra_no9258.htm
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Twelfth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eighth day of July, two thousand and three.
___o0o___
[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9258 ]
AN ACT PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING AND CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, 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
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY,DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote the improvement, advancement, and protection of the guidance and counseling profession by undertaking and instituting measures that will result in professional, ethical, relevant, efficient, and effective guidance and counseling services for the development and enrichment of individuals and group lives.
The State recognizes the important role of guidance counselors in nation-building and promotes the sustained development of a reservoir of guidance counselors whose competence have been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of professional practice and service are world-class and internationally recognized, globally competitive through preventive regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their continuing professional development.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a. Guidance and Counseling is a profession that involves the use of an integrated approach to the development of a well-functioning individual primarily by helping him/her to utilize his /her potentials to the fullest and plan his/her future in accordance with his/her abilities, interests and needs. It includes functions such as counseling, psychological testing, (as to personality, career interest, study orientation, mental ability and aptitude), research, placement, group process, teaching and practicing of guidance and counseling subjects, particularly subjects given in the licensure examinations, and other human development services.
b. A guidance counselor is a natural person who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in accordance with this Act and by virtue of specialized training performs for a fee, salary or other forms of compensation, the functions of guidance and counseling under Section 3 (a) of this Act.
ARTICLE II
THE PROFESSIONA REGULATORY BOARD OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
SEC. 4. Creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling. – There shall be created a Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a Chairman and two (2) members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from among a list of three (3) recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission from a list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the accredited and integrated organization of guidance counselors.
SEC. 5. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board. – The Professional Regulatory Board shall have the following specific powers, duties and responsibilities.
a. Supervise and regulate the practice of Guidance and Counseling;
b. Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for registration with or without licensure examinations and for issuance of special permits;
c. Prepare the examination questions in accordance with Section 15 hereof of the modifications thereof, and correct and rate the examination papers through a process of computerization;
d. Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi for the subjects in the licensure examination, in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the academe and the accredited professional organization;
e. Register successful examines in the licensure examination and issue the corresponding certificates of registration;
f. Issue special/temporary permits to foreign guidance counselors to practice Guidance and Counseling for specific projects and for a specific duration of time for a fee or on medical mission without a fee;
g. Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of Guidance and Counseling, conduct ocular inspection of places where guidance counselors practice their profession, and adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional, technical and ethical standards;
h. Ensure, in coordination with the CHED, that all educational institutions offering the course/program of Guidance and Counseling comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the said course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;
i. Promulgate rules and regulations including a Code of Ethics, a Code of Technical Standards for guidance counselors and administrative policies, orders and issuances, to carry out the provisions of this Act;
j. Investigate violations of this Act and the Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards, administrative policies, orders and issuances promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Board. The rule on administrative investigation promulgated by the Commission shall govern in such investigation;
k. Issue subpoena or subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance of respondents and witnesses or the production of documents relative to the investigation conducted by the Board;
l. Render decision, order or resolution on preliminary investigation or inquiry against violators of this Act, Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards or any policy on under policy on undocked cases and on docketed administrative cases against examines or registrants, which shall become final and executory unless appealed with the Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the copy thereof:
m. Issue, suspend, revoke or re-issue any license for the practice of Guidance and Counseling as defined in this Act;
n. Administer oaths necessary for the effective implementation of this Act;
o. Initiate criminal action against any violator of this Act and/or the rules and regulations of the Board;
p. Adopt the official seal of the Board;
q. Prescribe guidelines and criteria on the continuing professional education (CPE);
r. Adopt such measures necessary and proper for the maintenance of high ethical and professional standards in the practice of the profession; and
s. Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act.
The policies, resolutions and rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Board shall be subject to review and approval by the Commission; however, the Board’s decisions, resolutions or orders which are not interlocutory, rendered in an administrative case, shall be subject to review only if on appeal with the Commission. The decision of the Board and/or the Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the Rules of Court.
SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Professional Regulatory Board Members. – The Chairman and members of the Professional Regulatory Board, at the time of their appointment shall:
a. Be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
b. Be a resident of the country for at least five (5) years immediately prior to his/her appointment;
c. Be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
d. Be a qualified guidance counselor holding a valid Certificate of Registration: Provided, That in the case of the first members of the Board of Guidance and Counseling, they shall be issued Certificates of Registration as guidance counselors without prior examination;
e. Be a holder of a doctoral degree in Guidance and Counseling from a reputable college or university duly recognized by the CHED and/or by a duly accredited college or university abroad;
f. Have at least ten (10) years of continuous professional practice as a guidance counselor or counselor educator under this Act;
g. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where regular and/or review courses in guidance and counseling education is taught nor have any pecuniary interest in such institution; and
h. Not be an official of the integrated and accredited national professional organization.
SEC. 7. Term of Office. – The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for a second term. Of the members to be appointed for the first Board, one (1) member shall hold office as Chairman for three (3) years; one (1) as member for two (2) years; and one (1) member for a term of one (1) year. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member shall take the proper oath to assumption of duty.
SEC. 8. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services. - All records of the Board, including application for examination and administrative and other investigative cases shall be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and support services to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. – The Chairman and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the chairman and members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 10. Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Board Members. – The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving the concerned member an opportunity to defend himself/herself in a proper administrative investigation to be conducted by the Commission, may remove and suspend any member on the following grounds;
a. neglect of duty or incompetence;
b. violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional and Technical Standards for guidance counselors;
c. conviction by final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude;
d. manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination results, disclosure of secret information or the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination, or tampering of the grades therein; or
e. conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense by the courts.
SEC. 11. Annual Report – The Chairman of the Board, shall after the close of the fiscal year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed accounting of the proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as the Board may desire to make.
ARTICLE III
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
SEC. 12. Examination Required. All applicants for registration for the practice of Guidance and Counseling shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be given by the Board and the Commission in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance with Republic Act No. 8981, subject to compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.
SEC. 13. Qualifications for Examination. In order to qualify for the examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing the application, be:
a. a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of Guidance and Counseling;
b. has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court; and
c. holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling or in other allied disciplines and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from an institution in the Philippines or abroad recognized and accredited by the CHED.
SEC. 14. Registration Without Taking Licensure Examination. – A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the examination for registration as a guidance counselor pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be registered without examination: Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within two (2) years after its creation, an application for registration and issuance of a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card by submitting credentials showing that the applicant before the effectivity of this Act:
a. Had been doctoral and masters degree holders in Guidance and Counseling with at least three (3) years of teaching experience in Guidance and Counseling courses and/or full-time counseling practice for the same period;
b. Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of Master’s level courses in Guidance and Counseling such as Counseling Techniques/Theories, Organization and Administration of Guidance Services, Tests and Measurement, Group Process/ Counseling and Career Guidance/Counseling; and have, at least seven (7) years of experience in counseling work; and
c. Had completed academic requirements for a master’s degree in guidance and counseling and have five (5) years experience as full-time guidance counselors.
SEC. 15. Scope of Examination – The examination shall cover the following subject areas:
a. Philosophical, Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Guidance;
b. Counseling Theories, Tools and Techniques;
c. Psychological Testing;
d. Organization and Administration of Guidance Services; and
e. Group Process and Program Development.
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude any of the subjects and their syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises.
SEC. 16. Reports of Ratings. - The Board shall, within ten (10) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to the Commission.
SEC. 17. Ratings in the Examination and Re-examination. – To be qualified as having passed the licensure examination for guidance counselors, a candidate must have obtained a weighted general average of seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade lower than sixty percent (60%) in any given subject. However, an examinee who obtains a weighted average of seventy-five percent (75%) or higher but obtains a rating below sixty percent (60%) in any given subject, must take an examination in the subject or subjects where he obtained a grade below sixty percent (60%) within two (2) years from the date of the last examination. The subject or subjects retaken must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) in order to qualify as having passed the examination.
SEC. 18. Oath-Taking. – All successful examines shall be required to take a professional oath before any member of the Board or any officer of the Commission authorized by the PRC, or any officer authorized by law.
SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. – A Certificate of Registration as a guidance counselor shall be issued to any applicant who passes the examination or who is registered without examination, bearing the signature of the Commission Chairperson and the Chairman and members of the Board, and the official seal of the Board.
A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the Commission Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.
SEC. 20. Roster of Guidance Counselors. - The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization, shall keep a roster of the names, residence and office addresses of all registered and licensed guidance counselors and the said roster shall be made available to the public upon request.
SEC. 21. Integration of Guidance Counselors. – All registered/licensed guidance counselors whose names appear in the roster of guidance counselors shall be united and integrated through their automatic membership in a one (1) and only registered and accredited national organization of registered/licensed guidance counselors which the Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall recognize and accredit after consultation with all existing organizations of registered and licensed guidance counselors and, if possible, with all those who are not members of any of the said organization. The members in the said integrated and accredited national organization shall receive benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of required fees and dues. Membership in the Integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership in any other association of guidance counselors.
SEC. 22. Indication of Certificate of Registration Number and Professional Tax Receipts (PTR). – The guidance counselor shall be required to indicate his/her certificate of registration number, the date of issuance, the period of validity of the license, including the professional tax receipt number on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of his/her profession.
SEC. 23. Practice Through Special /Temporary Permit. – Special/temporary permit may be issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof, to the following persons:
1. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states whose services are either for a fee or free;
a. If they are internationally well-known counselors or outstanding experts in any branch or specialty of guidance and counseling; and
b. If their services are urgently and importantly necessary for lack of, or inadequacy of available local specialists/experts for the promotion or advancement of the practice of guidance and counseling through transfer of technology.
1. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states whose services shall be free and limited to indigent patients in a particular hospital, center or clinic;
2. Licensed guidance counselors from foreign countries/states employed as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of guidance and counseling in schools, colleges, universities offering the course of guidance and counseling.
The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations and conditions for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the branch or specialty of guidance counseling, and the specific place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center, school/college/university offering the course of guidance and counseling. The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall prescribe rules and regulations on the implementation of this particular section.
SEC. 24. Denial, Suspension, Revocation of a Certificate of Registration, Cancellation of Special Permit. - The application for registration and the issuance of a Certificate of Registration may be denied for any of these causes:
a. Conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court;
b. Finding of guilty by the Professional Regulatory Board for immoral and/or dishonorable conduct; and
c. Declaration by the court of the applicant as being insane.
The Certificate of Registration may be revoked or suspended, or the special permit may be cancelled for any of the above-enumerated causes including the following: fraudulent acquisition of Certificate of Registration and or special permit; abetment or tolerance of illegal practice by unqualified person through the use by the latter of guidance counselor’s certificate, or special permit; violation of any provision of this Act, rules and regulations of the Board and the Commission and other policies thereof, including the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for guidance counselors; unethical, immoral, dishonorable or unprofessional conduct; malpractice; guilty of drug or alcohol abuse impairing his/her ability to practice his/her profession; and practice of the profession during period of suspension by one whose Certificate of Registration had been suspended by the Board.
No certificate shall be denied, revoked or suspended for any of the reasons herein provided, until after sworn complaint in writing against the applicant or holder thereof shall have been filed and heard in a public hearing or upon request, behind closed doors.
SEC. 25. Reinstatement. - A person may apply to the Board for reinstatement of a certificate the issuance of which has been duly revoked at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform to the requirements provided by the Board. No certificate shall be reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good cause exists to warrant such reinstatement.
SEC. 26. Appeal – The decision on the denial or refusal to issue Certificate of Registration, the revocation or suspension of the Certificate of Registration or cancellation of special permit by the Board shall be final unless appealed to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from recipe of the decision. The decision of the Board and/or Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
SEC. 27. – Prohibition Against the Practice of Guidance and Counseling. – No person shall (a) engage in the practice of guidance and counseling without a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card or a special permit; (b) make representations to the public or to third persons as a licensed guidance counselor during the time that the license has been revoked or suspended, and, (c) allow anybody to use his/her license as guidance counselor to enable such unqualified individual to engage in the practice of guidance and counseling.
No corporation, partnership, association or entity shall operate a guidance and counseling office or center, or otherwise engage in the practice of guidance and counseling without securing a permit from the Board, which shall be issued only after it has satisfied itself that such establishment is properly staffed by duly licensed guidance counselors.
Any unethical practice of guidance and counseling as may be defined in a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards to be prepared by the Board in consultation with guidance counselors, is prohibited.
SEC. 28. Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors. – A certified guidance counselor who is allowed to practice guidance and counseling in accordance with this Act cannot, without the consent of the client, be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending to such client. The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of a licensed guidance counselor, who may be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity.
Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
SEC. 29. Foreign Reciprocity. – No foreign guidance counselor shall be admitted to the examination, or be given a Certificate of Registration, or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this Act unless the country or state of which he/she is a subject or citizen permits Filipino guidance counselors to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state: Provided, That the requirements for certification of guidance counselors in said foreign state or country are substantially the same as those required and contemplated under this Act. Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privilege to Filipino guidance counselors on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.
ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 30. Funding Provisions. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall include in the Commission’s programs the implementation of this Act. The funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 31. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. – Any law enforcement agency shall, upon call or request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforcing this Act, including all the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by prosecuting the violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.
SEC. 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the integrated and accredited professional organization, to implement the provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.
SEC. 33. Penalty Clause. – Any person who violates any provision of this Act and the rules and regulations issued by the Board and the Commission or commits fraud in the acquisition of Certificate of Registration or special permit, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both in the discretion of the court.
SEC. 34. Separability Clause. – If any of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and operational.
SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, circulars, rules and regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 36. Effectivity. – This Act take effect one (1) month after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENESIA JR.
President of the Senate Speaker of the House of the Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 5253 and Senate Bill No. 2128 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 20, 2004 and January 19, 2004, respectively.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary of the Senate Secretary General House of Representatives
Approved: Mar. 02 2004
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines
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