HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

3653

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. DAISY AVANCE-FUENTES

Article XIIL, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State shall afford full
protection fo labor, local and overseas, organized or unorganized, and promote full employment
and equality of employment opportunities for all.”

It is the view of this representation that said constitutional mandate means that every
person must be given a fair chance when seeking employment; that every employer must treat
job applicants equally; and that there should be no discrimination among those seeking
‘employment, even on the aspect of past criminal record or conviction

Itis disheartening to note that individuals who have been previously convicted of a crime
continue to suffer punishment way after serving their sentences, All too often, persons with
criminal records or previous convictions almost immediately get turned down when seeking
employment. This situation can be considered nothing short of discrimination, which should not
be tolerated. It is time that we rectify the medieval perception that persons with past criminal
records are outcasts of society. It is time that we cultivate a new culture, one that provides said
individuals with every opportunity to start anew. The stigma that these persons have suffered due
to numerous years of imprisonment should not be further compounded by a society that
continues to treat them as dangerous elements of our community

This bill is simple and practical, in the sense that it merely seeks to punish employers
who shall discriminate any person who has been previously convicted of a crime but has already
served his/her sentence. No appropriation is required for this proposal, just a commitment to
outlaw another form of discrimination and assure that all our fallen brethren who have already
undergone the appropriate correction will truly have a new lease on life

Support for the swift passage of this measure is earnestly requested

velly

DAISY AV|ANCE-FUENTES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
t Regular Session

3653

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Daisy Avance-Fuentes

AN ACT
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY PERSON APPLYING
FOR EMPLOYMENT BY REASON OF SAID PERSON’S PREVIOUS
CRIMINAL CONVICTION

id the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
led:

Be it enacted by the Senate |
Philippine ‘ongress assem

SECTION 1, PROHIBITION AND PENALTY. Any employer who shall
discriminate against or tum down an application of any person applying for
employment by reason of the person’s previous criminal conviction shall be punished
with the penalty of imprisonment from one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6)
months and cancellation of the business permit

SECTION 2. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination and consultation with
the Department of Justice (DOJ), shall issue and publish the rules and regulations
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, orders, decrees, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby amended or repealed accordingly

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVITY. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in Filipino and English in at least two (2) newspapers in general

circulation

APPROVED,