Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. poze

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to help former prisoners in reintegrating them back to society, enabling them
to provide for their families and become contributing citizens in the economic growth.

When a former prisoner gets out of jail, often times, they have a hard time finding a job.
Because of the stigma on prisoners, former prisoners tend to have difficulty in getting the
trust of potential employers resulting to unemployment. With families to support, some may
even turn into illegal activities to bring food to the table.

This bill will ensure that these former prisoners will have a chance for a new start in life. They
will be assisted in finding jobs and aided until they are able to stand on their own. In this
manner, they will be able to support their families and continue forward being on the right’
side of the law as productive citizens of the country.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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S.TAMBUNTING |


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. eee

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT INSTITUTING THE FORMER PRISONERS’ EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR F

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “Former Prisoner’s Employment Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the policy of the State to aid former Prisoners
continue their reformation, and help them reintegrate into society after they have been
released from prison.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall have
the meaning as indicated hereunder”

1, Business establishments refer to private companies that employ former prisoners.

2. Committee refer to the Committee on Employment Opportunities for former prisoners,
under the Department of Justice.

3. Former prisoners refer to those convicted by final judgement and who have been
released on probation, parole, pardon, or after having served their sentences. ,

Section 4. Committee on Employment for Former Prisoners. - The Committee on
Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the Department of Justice, hereinafter
referred to as the Committee, is hereby created with the task of drafting provisions for the
training and employment of former prisoners.

Section 5. Structural and Personnel Organization. ~ The Committee shall be headed by
a Chairman and addicted by a Vice Chairman, who shall be appointed by the President, upon
the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Justice.

Appointees to the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman must be holders of a doctorate /
master’s degree in business or public administration and/ or lawyers with a least one year
experience in penology management.

The committee shall have a Technical Service Arm to assist it to carry out its duties and
functions.


Section 6. Tax Credit. — Business establishments that will employ former prisoners upon
the effectivity of this Act shall be entitled an additional deduction from their gross income,
equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to former
prisoners, subject to Section 4 of the National Internal Revenue Code.

Section 7. The Secretary of Department of Justice and the Secretary of Department of Labor
and Employment shall, within thirty (30) days from effectivity of this Act, issue such rules and
regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provisions of this law.

Section 8. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into
law and thereafter. An initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.000) shall be allocated
for the first year of its implementation.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, issuance, executive order, +
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary to or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act as hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid or subsisting.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,