REPUBLIC ACT No. 1370
An Act Creating a Public Corporation for the Promotion of Music, and Appropriating the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pesos for its Initial Expenses and for Other Purposes
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:
Section 1. There is hereby created a public corporation for the promotion of music, which shall be known as the Music Promotion Foundation, hereinafter referred to as the Foundation. Its principal office shall be in the City of Manila.
Section 2. The Foundation shall have perpetual succession, with power to sue and be sued; to hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary for corporate purposes; to receive real and personal property by gift, devise, or bequest; to solicit contributions without securing a permit from the Social Welfare Administrator; to adopt a seal and alter the same at pleasure; to promulgate and adopt by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines, and, generally, to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Act, and to promote the aims and purposes of the Foundation.
Section 3. The Foundation shall initiate, promote and stimulate the creation and rendition of good music by means of grants, loans and other forms of assistance to qualified persons and institutions applying therefor; shall encourage, protect and aid the organization of clubs and societies throughout the Philippines for the promotion of music; shall create scholarships in music for specially gifted citizens; shall build and operate a suitable theatre, to be known as the National Theatre of the Philippines; and shall from time to time conduct contests in musical composition and rendition, granting prizes to winning contestants in cash or in the form of scholarships. Whenever necessary, the Foundation may organize benefit concerts anywhere in the Philippines to raise funds for the payment of said prizes and maintenance of such scholarships, and, in general, for the attainment of the objectives of this Act.
Section 4. All corporate powers of the Foundation shall be vested in, and exercised by, a Board of Trustees composed of nine outstanding artists of the Philippines to be appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, one from among the directors of leading conservatories of music, one conductor, one outstanding singer, one pianist, one violinist, one choreographer, one opera producer, one composer and one music patron. The Chairman of the Board shall be elected by the members from among themselves.
Section 5. The first appointees to the Board shall serve as designated by the President in their respective appointments, three for a term of two years, three for a term of three years, and three for a term of four years from the date they qualify and assume office; but their successors shall be appointed for a term of six years, except that any person chosen to fill a vacancy in the Board shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whom he succeeds. Each member shall, for each day of meeting actually attended by him, receive from the general fund of the Foundation a per diem of not more than twenty-five pesos: Provided, That no per diem shall be paid to any member for more than one meeting within a week.
Section 6. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to make and amend the by-laws, rules and regulations of the Foundation, and, by a two-thirds vote of the whole Board at a meeting called for the purpose, may authorize the execution of mortgages and liens upon the property of the Foundation. The Board of Trustees may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate five or more of their number to constitute an executive committee, of which a majority shall constitute a quorum. To the extent provided in said resolution or in the by-laws of the Foundation, the executive committee shall have and exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees in the management of the business affairs of the Foundation. The Board of Trustees, by the affirmative vote of the majority of its entire membership, may appoint other standing committees, which shall have and may exercise such powers as shall be conferred upon them by the by-laws.
Section 7. Any donation, contribution, subsidy or aid which from time to time may be made to the Foundation by the Government or any of its subdivisions, branches, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities, or by any person or entity, shall be administered by the Board of Trustees in pursuance of this Act.
Section 8. All donations, contributions, subsidies or aids which from time to time may be made to the Foundation shall be considered allowable deductions on the income of the donors or givers for income tax purposes; and other transactions undertaken by the Foundation in pursuance of its objectives shall be free from any and all taxes.
Section 9. All officers and employees of the Foundation shall be subject to the Civil Service Law and Rules, except those whose positions may, upon recommendation of the Board of Trustees, be declared by the President of the Philippines as policy determining, primarily confidential or highly technical in nature.
Section 10. The Auditor General or his representatives shall check and audit all the accounts, funds and properties of the Foundation in the same manner and as frequently as the accounts, funds and properties of the Government are checked and audited under existing laws.
Section 11. Out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of one hundred thousand pesos is hereby appropriated as aid to the Foundation for its initial expenses.
Section 12. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 18, 1955.
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