Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure seeks to increase the number of minimum leaves afforded to victims of domestic 
violence to twenty (20) days. While the VAWC Act allows extension of the 10 days presently 
provided under law, such extension would have to be upon approval and determination of the 
court. 
This bill proposes that the minimum number of leaves needed by victims of domestic violence 
would be available to them immediately upon court determination that they are indeed suffering 
from domestic abuse - as opposed to the need to further establish and justify the need for more 
than 10 days leave. This bill likewise ensures that the number of leaves may be allocated 
throughout the entire period of the legal proceedings and/or medical treatment, counseling, or 
therapy. In this regard, this piece of legislation hopes to empower victims of domestic abuse to 
recover from the trauma of their past by helping them put in order their medical, legal, and 
domestic needs. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 22, 2022
8:01 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
GRANTING ADDITIONAL LEAVES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 
PROVIDING PARAMETERS THEREFOR, AND AMENDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST 
WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Additional Leaves for Victims of 
Domestic Violence Act."  
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State values the dignity of women and children and 
guarantees full respect for human rights. The State further recognizes the need to protect the 
family and its members, particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their safety 
and security. Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to aid victims of domestic violence to 
recover from the trauma thereof, be it to put in order medical, legal, or domestic needs. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For this Act: 
a) “Domestic Violence” shall refer to any act or acts of abuse as defined in Section 3 of
Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the" Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004";
b) “Eligible Employee” shall refer to an individual who (1) is a victim of domestic violence or
is the parent of a minor child who is a victim of domestic violence; and (2) has been
employed for at least six (6) months by the employer to whom a request for leave under
this Act is directed.
c) “Employer” shall refer to the national or local government or any of its instrumentalities,
including government-owned and controlled corporations, as well as private employers or
entities that employ at least fifteen (15) persons each work day for twenty (20) or more
weeks within a given calendar year;
d) “Certification from Proper Authorities” shall refer to any of the following insofar as the
same can establish that the employee is a victim of domestic violence:
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1) Certification from the court wherein legal proceedings have been initiated that the 
employee or her minor child is involved in legal proceedings related to domestic 
violence; 
2) Certification from a competent medical professional that the employee or her 
minor child needs medical attention, counseling, or therapy about domestic 
violence committed against them; or 
3) Certification from law enforcement agencies or anti-domestic violence advocacy 
groups or help desks that the victim and/or her minor children are victims of 
domestic violence. 
 
Sec. 4. Amendment to Republic Act No. 9262. – Section 43 of Republic Act No. 9262, 
otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
 
“SECTION 43. Entitled to Leave. – Victims under this Act shall be entitled to take 
a paid leave of absence up to [ten (10)] AN AGGREGATE OF TWENTY (20) 
DAYS UNTIL THE TERMINATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, AND/OR 
MEDICAL TREATMENT, COUNSELING OR THERAPY in addition to other paid 
leaves under the Labor Code and Civil Service Rules and Regulations, extendible 
when the necessity arises as specified in the protection order. 
 
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES MAY CLAIM SUCH ALLOWABLE LEAVES, UPON 
SUBMISSION OF A CERTIFICATION FROM PROPER AUTHORITIES AND 
AFTER GIVING DUE NOTICE TO THEIR EMPLOYER, FOR MEDICAL 
TREATMENT, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, RELOCATION, COUNSELING, OR 
THERAPY RELATED TO SUCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR TO EXTEND 
ASSISTANCE TO THEIR MINOR CHILDREN FOR SUCH PURPOSES.  
 
xxx” 
 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretaries of the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment shall issue such rules 
and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from 
its effectivity.  
 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions that are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect.  
 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof that are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or repealed accordingly.  
 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,