Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE RECRUITMENT QUOTA REQUIREMENT OF FEMALE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) OFFICERS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Over the years, the country has made consistent efforts to address gender disparities, 
as evidenced by its steady performance in global indicators and measurements. According to 
the Global Gender Gap Index Report for 2023, the Philippines has achieved the 16th rank out 
of 146 countries, marking a three-spot improvement from its 2022 ranking. This 
accomplishment highlights the Philippines as a leader in gender parity within the Pacific region. 
However, 2021 data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) shows an apparent 
gender imbalance in their workforce. Women make up only 17.94% of the total PNP 
population, while men constitute the remaining 82.06%. The current imposition of a 10% 
recruitment quota further restricts women from entering the law enforcement field, serving 
merely as a cap on annual female recruitment. This limitation denies women the opportunity 
to fully exercise their rights and contribute to equality in the profession, compared to their 
male counterparts. 
As stipulated in Article II, Section XIV of the Philippine Constitution, the State is 
committed to recognizing the role of women in nation-building and ensuring fundamental 
equality before the law for women and men. The representation of women in law enforcement 
is not only essential for addressing gender-related issues but also for advancing the nation's 
growth and development agenda. 
To enhance gender parity in our country, it is imperative for the government to initiate 
programs and explore alternative avenues to support women professionals, particularly in 
increasing women's representation in the police force. This proposed amendment aims to 
create a more responsive and inclusive approach to gender diversity and women's 
empowerment within the law enforcement sector. It emphasizes prioritizing efforts to combat 
violations against women and children. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
     BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
September 6, 2023
3:41 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE RECRUITMENT QUOTA REQUIREMENT OF FEMALE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) OFFICERS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title VII of Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the "Philippine National 
Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998", is hereby amended to read as follows: 
TITLE VII 
[CREATION OF WOMEN'S DESKS IN ALL POLICE STATIONS] PRIORITIZATION OF 
WOMEN'S RECRUITMENT AND THE FORMULATION OF A GENDER SENSITIVITY 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 2. Section 57 of Republic Act No. 8551 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 57. [Creation and Functions.] Prioritization of Women for Recruitment. - 
[The PNP shall establish women's desks in all police stations throughout the country 
to administer and attend to cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment, 
abuses committed against women and children and other similar offenses: Provided, 
That municipalities and cities presently without policewomen will have two (2) years 
upon the effectivity of this Act within which to comply with the requirement of this 
provision.] WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE (5) YEARS, THE PNP SHALL PRIORITIZE 
THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF WOMEN. PURSUANT TO THIS 
REQUIREMENT, THE PNP SHALL RESERVE TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) 
OF ITS ANNUAL RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION QUOTA FOR 
WOMEN: PROVIDED, THAT THE RECRUITMENT QUOTA FOR WOMEN SHALL 
BE INCREASED PROGRESSIVELY UNTIL IT REACHES FIFTY PERCENT (50%) 
TEN YEARS THEREAFTER." 
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SEC 3. Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8551 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 58. [Prioritization of Women for Recruitment.] CREATION OF WOMEN'S 
DESKS. - [Within the next five (5) years, the PNP shall prioritize the recruitment and 
training of women who shall serve in the women's desk. Pursuant to this requirement, 
the PNP shall reserve ten percent (10%) of its annual recruitment, training, and 
education quota for women.] THE PNP SHALL ESTABLISH WOMEN'S DESKS IN 
ALL POLICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO ADMINISTER AND 
ATTEND TO CASES  INVOLVING  CRIMES  AGAINST  CHASTITY,  SEXUAL 
HARASSMENT, ABUSES 
COMMITTED AGAINST 
WOMEN 
AND 
CHILDREN AND OTHER SIMILAR OFFENSES. 
 
SEC 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of 
this Act, the National Police Commission in coordination with the PNP, the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) shall 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the sections or provisions which are not affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SEC 6. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,