Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING THE EX-OFFENDERS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The goal of punishment in our justice system is to reform and rehabilitate 
offenders and endeavor their reintegration into society. However, there is an existing 
stigma against ex-offenders that due to their past transgressions, there is fear of a 
repetition of committing their past offenses. In a study, it was observed that ex-
convicts face challenges after being released from prison among them being 
discrimination, unemployment, and difficulty in adjusting to life beyond the prison 
walls.1 These unfortunate instances, sadly, hinder them from participating as 
productive members of our society and live out their second chance in life, and prevent 
us from utilizing their skills and capabilities.  
As such, this proposed measure seeks to ensure that ex-offenders are given 
the opportunity to earn their living through the creation of a government body that will 
help facilitate their search for job opportunities. It also seeks to give them training that 
will better their chances of finding employment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is sought. 
1 Walking a New Beginning: A Case Study on the Chronicles of Ex-Offenders in Surpassing the 
Challenges of Living Outside the Bars. Palgan and Apolinario (2022). American Journal of Qualitative 
Research 2022, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 178-187. https://www.ajqr.org/download/walking-a-new-beginning-a-
case-study-on-the-chronicles-of-ex-offenders-in-surpassing-the-challenges-11963.pdf. 
October 6, 2022
1:14 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING THE EX-OFFENDERS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “Ex-Offender 
Employment Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to afford full 
protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment 
opportunities for all. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to enact measures 
that will safeguard the enjoyment of ex-offenders to employment and allow them to 
participate as members of society. 
SECTION 3. Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners. – 
The Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the Department 
of Justice, here in after referred to as the Office, is hereby created with the task of 
drafting provisions for the training and employment of former prisoners. 
SECTION 4. Structural and Personnel Organization. – The Office shall be 
headed by the Chairperson and assisted by a Vice Chairperson, who shall both be 
appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the 
Department of Justice. Appointees to the positions of Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson must be holders of a doctoral/master’s degree in business or public 
administration and/or lawyers with at least one (1) year of experience in penology 
management. The Office shall have a Technical Service Arm to assist it to carry out 
its duties and functions. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
Justice, Department of Labor and Employment and such other relevant government 
agencies and instrumentalities shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this 
act, issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the 
provisions of this law.  
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
provision of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act., 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting.  
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in any national newspaper of general circulation or 
in the Official Gazette.  
 
Approved,