Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRE:
First Regular Session

House Bill No, BOOUL iy.

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Several U.S. studies have established that a felony-conviction or time in prison
makes individuals significantly less employable. Employers are reluctant in hiring those
with criminal records, aside from other factors like limited education, lack of cognitive
skills, and minimal work experience.

Unfortunately, the success of an ex-convict’s re-integration to the society is
determined by employment. Those who return from incarceration and acquire jobs are
far less likely to go back to prison, therefore, making them more productive citizens and
significant contributors to the nation’s growth

This bill seeks to provide support to ex-offenders and ensure that they establish
productive and crime-free lives in the community through the creation of the
Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners. ‘The proposed
committee is directed to draft and implement provisions for the training and
employment of former prisoners,

Furthermore, this bill seeks to provide incentives to private establishments that
will hire former prisoners,

In the thrust of creating a better community for everyone, the immediate passage
of this bill is earnestly requested

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill NoS OO L

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

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

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

SECTION 1.7itl
Employment Act of 2016".

This Act shall be known as the “Former Pr

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, Furthermore, the State recognizes the need to help former
prisoners to 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 refers to the Committee on Employment Opportunities for
Former Prisoners, under the Department of Justice.

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

SECTION 4.Committee on Employment Opportunities 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 assisted by a Vice Chairman, who shall both 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
doctoral/masteral degree in business or public administration and/or lawyers with at
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 to 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.Jmplementing Rules and Regulations. - ‘The Secretary of the
Department of Justice and the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment
shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue such rules and
regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provisions of this law.

SECTION 8.4ppropriations, - 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 One Hundred Million Pesos
(P.100,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the first year of its implementation.

SECTION 9.Repeating 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 is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10.Separabitity Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provision not affected hereby shall remain valid and
subsisting,

SECTION 11.£ffectivity 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,