Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine national economy soars and falls on the strength and productivity of its 
most vital resource – its labor force. Hence, the State has enshrined in the Constitution its 
duty to provide full protection to labor and to promote the rights of all workers, including 
their right to paid days off to pursue well-balanced lives. 
Existing laws currently entitle every qualified Filipino worker to enjoy distinct types of paid 
days off or leaves. Some of the basic leaves are service incentives, maternity, paternity, 
parental, and special ones for abused women or those battling gynecological health 
issues. While these benefits exemplify legislative efforts to nurture a work environment 
that upholds the welfare of employees, they are also reflective of traditional Filipino values 
which reward hard work, recognize the role of women in nation-building, and preserve the 
sanctity of the family. A close examination of the aforementioned leaves, however, reveals 
a gaping lack in a legally mandated time off for employees who recently lost a family 
member. In fact, the discretion to grant employees the space to grieve and recover from 
the loss lies solely on the employer who may or may not permit the same. This scenario 
contradicts the State policy to provide employees with humane working conditions that 
foster their productivity and maintain their dignity.     
In light of the foregoing, this bill seeks to decree the mandatory provision of a 10-day 
bereavement leave with full pay to all employees in the public and private sectors who 
have recently lost an immediate family member within the third level of consanguinity or 
affinity. Among others, this bereavement leave is sought to provide employees adequate 
time to make the necessary wake and/or burial arrangements, as well as to reach out to 
family members and friends for emotional support during this difficult time. Furthermore, 
this bill also ensures the non-diminution of benefits and security of tenure to those who 
avail of this benefit. 
In consideration of the foregoing premises, the approval of this bill is humbly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
October 20, 2022
1:53 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING BEREAVEMENT LEAVE OF TEN (10) DAYS WITH FULL PAY TO 
ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Bereavement Leave 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. – The State affirms that the Filipino 
family is the foundation of the nation and recognizes that the death of an immediate 
family member bears a significant emotional and psychological burden upon a 
family member. A bereavement leave benefit system is hereby institutionalized to 
support employees in the public and private sectors who have recently lost 
relatives belonging to their immediate family.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – 
a.
“Bereavement Leave” refers to a leave taken by an employee to grieve the
death, or attend or to make arrangements for the funeral, of an immediate
family member.
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b. 
“Immediate Family Member” refers to an employee’s spouse, parent or 
child, brother or sister, and relatives within the third degree of 
consanguinity or affinity.  
 
SECTION 4. Bereavement Leave for Immediate Family Members. – Employees 
in the private and public sectors shall be entitled to a bereavement leave of ten 
(10) days with full pay following the death of an employee’s immediate family 
member.  
 
SECTION 5. Non-diminution of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to reduce existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, 
or any contract, agreement, or policy between the employer and employee.  
 
SECTION 6. Security of Tenure. – Employees in the public and private sectors 
who avail of bereavement leave provided under this Act shall be assured of 
security of tenure. Availment of the leave shall not be used as reason for 
misconduct, demotion, or termination in employment, or for any form of 
unsatisfactory performance.  
 
SECTION 7. Penalties. – Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, 
association, or entity found violating this act or the rules and regulations 
promulgated thereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty-
thousand pesos (Php 20,000) or imprisonment of fifteen (15) days to one (1) 
month.  
 
If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association 
or any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the entity’s 
responsible officers, including but not limited to, the president, vice president, chief 
executive officer general manager, managing director or partner directly 
responsible therefor. 
 


SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Labor 
and Employment and the Civil Service Commission, for the private sector and 
public sector respectively, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations of this 
act within thirty (30) days of its effectivity.  
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part, section or 
provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations 
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Republic Act No. 1161, as 
amended, is further amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,