UNITED ARCHITECTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ILLEGAL PRACTICES

REGIONWIDE BALANGKASAN
FORUM FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

“ON THE ROLE OF THE BS ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS,

THE IAPOA, THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC IN
CORRECTING FALSE IMPRESSION OF A FILIPINO
ARCHITECT”
Presented by

ARCH. RAY CLEMENTE GUARNES, UAP, EAROPH, PIA

CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON ILLEGAL PRACTICES
• This forum aims to reach out the
• Architecture Students,
• the IAPOA,
• the SocMed, and
• the Public
in addressing their concerns in the
Professional Practice podium.

• One good thing about having this forum is that

it provides a venue for all architects to express
our sensible views, for our mutual professional
benefit, growth and progress.
• The practice of architecture, like other
professional occupations including
medicine, environmental planning,
engineering and other allied disciplines are
professional occupations needing
educational preparation, surpass the
licensure exam, and holding public trust
and respect.
• An architect listens to the queries of the
client and serves as your advocate
throughout the project.
• The intent is to safeguard the health and
welfare of the public. The architect saves
your money and time. By keeping up-to-
date of the latest construction materials
and technologies, architects can
recommend materials and systems that
suit to your budget and accomplish your
design requirements.
 ACTUAL EXPERIENCES &
FREQUENTLY REPORTED RA9266
VIOLATIONS :

1. ARCHITECTURE GRADUATES
(underboard practicing architecture)
ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS
(students practicing architecture)
- preparing architectural documents
without mentorship of an architect.
2. Registered and Licensed ARCHITECTS
(RLAs offering “undercutting” services)
- signing ones name, affix ones seal, or use
any other method of signature ON
architectural plans, specifications or other
contract documents made UNDER
ANOTHER ARCHITECTS’S SUPERVISION
(unless the parts of work actually performed
are clearly indicated).
3. Non-ARCHITECTS (e.g. Civil Engineers and
other state-regulated professionals
(signing and sealing an architectural plan and
documents)
- practicing Architecture openly with no fear of
punishment.
"Undercutting" means offering architectural
design services at a lower price compare to other
architect.
 Who are the offenders?
They include an architecture graduate who used the title
"Architect".
They include an UNDERGRADUATE offering
Architectural Design Services
At the other end of the ethical spectrum are the people
who steal dead architects’ seals and fraudulently stamp
drawings with them.
explaining the protected nature of the terms
“Architect”, “Architectural Designer" and “Designer.”
You will be a Faked Architect if you Signed and
Sealed your Design of not Passing the Licensure
Examination for Architects without PRC License.
Please seek guidance and mentorship to Registered
and Licensed Architects
Some self-titled positions used by unregistered and
unlicensed individuals offering Architectural Design
Services :

● Architectural Designer ● Technical Draftsman

● Architectural Draftsman ● Architectural Visualizer
● Architectural Graduate ● Architectural Technician
● CAD Drafter ● Architectural Artist
● Junior Architect ● Architectural Engineer
● Design Practitioner ● Designer
the STUDENTS :
1.Enlighten the student/aspirant on the role and
impression of architects in our society.
2.Remind the student/aspirant on possible RA
9266 violations which are subject to civil and
criminal liabilities.
3.To clear out wrong impressions and
misconceptions on the role of filipino
architects in our day-to-day existence.
4.It is an offense for anyone NOT registered as
an “Architect” to use words which might
cause anyone to believe that they are an
Architect. But this does not signify that it you
are not a registered architect you cannot
design structures, only that you LEGALLY
CANNOT address.
5. SUBMISSION OF LOGBOOK OF
DIVERSIFIED EXPERIENCE IN
ARCHITECTURE (DEA) consisting of
two years apprenticeship or equivalent
3,840 hours (including overtime and
work done on holidays). All work
experience after December 24, 2008,
whether still studying or after graduation
will be considered as part of the DEA.

6. Doing good is not necessarily excelling

in all the test and passing the exam, but
rather, being able to show that you were
able to be a good example and aspirant
of the profession.
the IAPOA :
The issues of illegal practices and RA 9266
violations are national in scope, significance and
implication that UAP National must spearhead,
initiate follow up and follow through with any and
all cases that would be filed. UAP National is also
mandated to act.

UAP Objectives :
"Monitoring compliance and endorsing to/filing a
complaint with the Board of Architecture and/or
Professional Regulation Commission for violation
of the R.A. 9266 and its Implementing Rules and
Regulation (IRR), code of ethics, standard of
professional practice and other policies of the
Board and of the Commission and with other
agencies for violations of other relevant laws,
regulations and the like; ..."
1. The filing of cases should be carefully & properly
evaluated and prepared before they are filed.
Cases should be sufficiently documented and it
should be tight.
2. The CHAIRMAN OF THE PRB ARCH after
consultation of relaunching of Illegal Practice
Campaign poster, he stated currently the PRC is
working out a memorandum of joint undertaking
with the help of NBI to help address the problem
of illegal practice and fake practitioners.
3. The board officials to emphasize public
awareness campaign as an integral tool, and a
few can point to full-fledged education campaigns.
4. Recommended practicable measures in
addressing R.A. 9266 violations among aspirants
and non-architects.
the Social Media :
1. When a PUBLIC posts constitutes a serious
accusation and the person pointed at is
intentionally identifiable, an accusation that have
had no evidence to show to date, an accusation
against a person and or her honor that is very
serious of which is done for the public to read
thus creating distrusts, hesitations and
suspicions is defamatory in nature.
2. Let us all be reminded that there is a limitation in
freedom of speech and-or expression. When a
public post has malice and-or is injurious to a
person’s name and reputation, the act can be
considered libelous. Please read or ask about
Revised Penal Code of the Philippines
particularly Crime Against Honor.
Building a court case based on a socmed
postings:
1) The committee concerned shall evaluate if
there is enough ground for filing a case
based on social media posting of any illegal
practice.
2) The committee shall ask the assistance of
the one posting to provide all available
evidence. The cooperation of those who are
in the know of such illegal acts is necessary,
otherwise the case will not prosper.
3) The committee shall coordinate with other
entities in the area where such act was
committed, like chapters, other groups or
even individuals willing to help, to provide
more prima facie (first hand) evidence.
4) The committee shall also make a list of those
who are willing to testify.
5) If there is more than enough evidence that
could build a solid case against the illegal
practitioner, then the committee shall proceed
with filing a case.
6) The committee shall provide necessary
assistance to those who are willing to testify
against such illegal practitioner.
7) If there is not enough ground for a case, the
committee shall inform the one who posted and
other concerned parties on why it did not
proceed in filing a case.
the PUBLIC :

1.Enlighten the Filipino Public on the role and

impression of architects in our society
2.Remind the Filipino Public on possible R.A 9266
violations which are subject to civil and criminal
liabilities.
3.To clear out wrong impressions and misconceptions
on the role of Filipino architects in our day-to-day
existence.
4.The public sector is perhaps the most consistent
violator of RA9266. All Government Officials have
the sworn duty to implement and enforce the law of
the land. Apparently and quite possibly with
exception of RA9366. Their refusal to do so already
creates potentially multiple LIABILITIES ON their
part (administrative, civil and criminal).
5.Applications for building permits accepted and
processed without the signature and seal of
architects on architectural documents, public
procurement/ undertaking of architectural services
done possibly without real architects involved.

6.The client or owner hires the service of the architect,

not the civil engineer (CE). He is more interested in
the design on how he should occupy the spaces for
safety, convenience, health, satisfaction, and their
functional uses. The payment for the architectural
works is called architectural fee, includes the fee
intended for all allied disciplines.

7.Duplicate/make copies or architectural documents

(for use, partly or in whole, in the repetition of and for
other projects) without the WRITTEN CONSENT of
Architect of said documents.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO ALL
ASPIRANTS OF THE ARCHITECTURE
PROFESSION :
Do not allow yourself to be used by Illegal
Practitioners or "Fake Architects" by rendering
your DESIGN SERVICES and promoting their
PRACTICE in exchange of monetary gain.
Anyone caught supporting this illegal act will
be subject to disqualification from taking
the board exam.
Do not let anything stand in the way between
you and your dream of becoming a Registered
and Licensed and Architect. Do not support
the wrongdoers! Report the offenders! Please
reach out to Professional Regulatory Board of
Architecture (PRB Arc) or UAP-IAPOA and
help us stop illegal practice.
Under Sec 29 of the IRR of RA9266..

PROHIBITION IN THE PRACTICE OF

ARCHITECTURE AND PENAL CLAUSE
Any person(s) who VIOLATE this Act, its IRR, the
Code of Ethical Conduct, Standards of
Professional Practice, or any policy of the Board
and the Commission shall be guilty of
misdemeanor and charged in court by the
Commission and shall, upon conviction,
VIOLATORS will be sentenced to a fine of not less
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)
but not more than Five Million Pesos
(P5,000,000.00) or to suffer imprisonment for a
period not less than Six (6) months or not
exceeding Six (6) years or both, at the discretion of
the Court.“
#StopIllegalPracticeOfArchitecture
#ArchitectsAgainstArchitectureIPs
The Value of Architecture and Positive Impressions
of Hiring an Architect

• GREAT UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR NEEDS.

• BETTER DESIGN.
• AVOIDING DESIGN ERRORS.
• CREATIVE/INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.
• GOOD DESIGN IS A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT.
• THEY WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT
MATERIALS AND FINISHES.
• GOOD STEWARDS OF RESOURCES.
• CONFIDENCE.
The Architects are solution providers and
recommend solutions.
Let us help one another and show strong
SUPPORT in promoting the Profession,
PROTECT the Professionals and FIGHT
Illegal Practices.
Small steps will lead us to our common
goal in helping our organization and our
beloved profession.
We encourage everyone to protect our
profession and be an catalyst of CHANGE.
Support the "Get An Architect" and "Uphold RA
9266" Campaign!

DIOS MABALOS SA INDONG GABOS!

Arch. Ray C. Guarnes, uap,pia,earoph

Chairperson, UAP Special Committee on Illegal Practices