THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 2 of Article 111 of the Constitution declares as State policy that: 
"The State values the dignity of every human person and 
guarantees full respect for his human rights." 
Further, Article 147 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, 
provides that employer shall treat the househelper in a just and humane manner. 
In no case shall physical violence be used upon the househelper. In order to 
further support the plight of our househelpers, who are often victimized by their 
own employers, there is a need to impose heavier penalties on certain offenses 
committed by employers or immediate members of their families, against their 
hapless househelpers. 
On this note, the attached bill proposes that the crimes of less serious 
physical injuries under Article 265 and qualified seduction under Article 337 of 
the Revised Penal Code, when committed by employers or immediate members 
of their families against househelpers under their employ, be given heavier 
penalties. 
Accordingly, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AS QUALIFIED FELONIES CERTAIN FELONIES 
COMMITTED BY EMPLOYERS OR IMMEDIATE MEMBERS OF THEIR 
FAMILY AGAINST HOUSEHELPERS UNDER THEIR EMPLOY 
;f 
Be,enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of 
the State to value the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect 
for human rights of persons who render services in and about their employers’ 
home and which services are usually necessary or desirable for the maintenance 
and enjoyment thereof, and ministers exclusively to the personal comfort and 
enjoyment of their employers’ families.. 
Thus, the Senate, in promoting the dignity to the househelpers, is hereby 
defining as qualified felonies certain felonies committed by an employer and 
members of his immediate family against the person, property, and chastity of 
househelpers. 
SECTION 2. In line with the declared policy of this Act, Article 265 of the 
Revised Penal Code are hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 265. Less serious physical injuries- 
Any person 
who shall inflict upon another physical injuries not described in the 


preceding articles, but which shall incapacitate the offended party 
for labor for ten days or more, or shall require medical assistance 
for the same period, shall be guilty of less serious physical injuries 
and shall suffer the penalty of arrest0 mayor. 
“Whenever less serious physical injuries shall have been 
inflicted with the manifest intent to kill or offend the injured person, 
or under circumstances adding ignominy to the offense in addition 
to the penalty of arresfo mayor, a fine not exceeding five hundred 
pesos (Php 500.00) shall be imposed. 
“Any less serious physical injuries inflicted upon the 
offender‘s parents, ascendants, guardians, curators, teachers, or 
persons of rank, or persons in authority, shall be punished by 
prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods, provided 
that, in the case of persons in authority, the deed does not 
constitute the crime of assault upon such person. 
“THE PENALTY OF PRlSlON CORRECClONAL IN ITS 
MINIMUM PERIODS SHALL LIKEWISE BE IMPOSED IF ANY 
LESS SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES SHALL BE INFLICTED BY 
AN EMPLOYER OR OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY UPON 
HIS EMPLOYEE OR HOUSEHELPER.” 
SECTION 3. Article 337 of the Revised Penal Code are hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
“Art. 337. Qualified seduction.- The seduction of a virgin 
over twelve years and under eighteen years of age, committed by 
any 
person 
in 
public 
authority, 
priest, 
[home-servant] 
HOUSEHELPER, EMPLOYER OF A 
HOUSEHELPER OR 
IMMEDIATE MEMBERS OF SUCH EMPLOYERS FAMILY, 
domestic, guardian, teacher, or any person who, in any capacity, 


shall be entrusted with the education or custody of the woman 
seduced, shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum 
and medium periods. 
“The penalty next higher in degree shall be imposed upon 
any person who shall seduce his sister or descendant, whether or 
not she be a virgin or over eighteen years of age. 
“Under the provisions of this Chapter, seduction is 
committed when the offender has carnal knowledge of any of the 
persons and under the circumstances described herein.” 
SECTION 4. €Rectivity.- 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved.