SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
,JAN 
2598 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY M. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF EMPLOYERS IN POSTING NOTICES OF 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF FORMER EMPLOYEES IN NEWSPAPERS, 
SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION VENUES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was originally filed as House Bill 4628 by Second District of Laguna 
Representative Joaquin M. Chlpeco Jr. during the 16th Congress. It has been referred to the 
Committee on Labor and Employment and has been passed on Third Reading as House Bill 
5267 last December 15, 2014. 
With the bill's thrusts In protecting the rights of private individuals and promoting 
responsible use of traditional and new media, the undersigned fully supports this endeavor 
from the House of Representatives. 
Over the recent years, the pace of technology and social media usage in the country 
has been steadily accelerating. Access to information has never been easier with today's 
availability of the Internet. People are connecting and consuming more information today. 
According to 2014 Global Web Index statistics, the Philippines has the fastest growing 
Internet population In the world- experiencing 531 percent growth In the last five years.1 
Social media has also given the people freedom that we've never experienced 
before. With such freedom and unconstrained venues for expression, responsible use of 
such must be given Important consideration. in newspapers, which can be easily converted 
to online media, we see boxed-in public announcements that give the Impression that subject 
former employees have been guilty of misconduct. 
This bill seeks to balance the rights of companies against any corporate harm by 
disgruntled employees, and the rights of workers to preserve their Integrity and reputation 
and at the same time, promoting the responsible use of media. It Is high time for our laws to 
advance towards the direction of promoting responsible social media use. 
Article 2, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution stipulates that, "the State values the 
dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights". This bill 
Identifies Instances wherein employers can post notices of termination of employment In 
public media and penalizes the violations stated In the bill. The government shall protect all 
workers from abusive acts of employers. Every employer, In publishing notices of termination 
of employment, must observe good faith, act with fairness, and respect the dignity. With such 
measure, the promotion of responsible media usage Is pushed. 
Approval of this measure is therefore earnestly requested. 
~ 
s~ 
1 https:llwww.globalwebindex.netlbloglinternet-turns-25 
P3 :56 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B.No. 
2596 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY M. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF EMPLOYERS IN POSTING NOTICES OF 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF FORMER EMPLOYEES IN NEWSPAPERS, 
SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION VENUES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Polley. - It is the policy of the State to protect all 
2 
workers from abusive acts of employers. Every employer, in publishing notices of 
3 
termination of employment, must observe good faith, act with fairness, and respect the 
4 
dignity of its former employees. 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. 
Limitations on the Publication of Notices of Termination of 
7 
Employment. - No employer in the private sector shall publish notices of termination of 
8 
employment in newspapers, social media and other public information venues unless 
9 
upon the concurrence of the following factors: 
10 
11 
(a) the subject employee has, based on employee records, committed any of the 
12 
following acts: 
13 
1. serious dishonesty; 
14 
2. grave misconduct; 
15 
3. falsification of documents; 
16 
4. conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; or 
17 
5. analogous acts. 
18 
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(b) the subject employee was an accountable officer or staff, to include the 
20 
following: 
21 
1. cashiers 
22 
2. treasurers 
23 
3. collection officers 
24 
4. sales agents or representatives 
25 
5. other officers or employees who handle cash, property, stocks and other 
26 
assets of the employer; and 
27 
28 
(c) the employer has reasonable grounds to believe that the former employee 
29 
shall cause loss or damage or otherwise compromise the interests of the employer. 
30 
31 
SEC. 3. Penalties. - An employer who publishes a notice of termination of 
32 
employment In a newspaper, social media or other public information venues in violation 
33 
of Section 2 of this Act shall be liable to pay the aggrieved former employee damages in 
34 
an amount not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,OOO.OO) but not more than Fifty 
35 
thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO), upon the discretion of the court, without prejudice to the 
36 
filing of any criminal case. 
37 
38 
SEC. 4. Liability When Committed By Entities Other Than Natural Person. -
39 
If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or other 
40 
similar entity, the damages shall be imposed against its guilty officer or officers. 
41 


1 
SEC. 5. Repealing clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
2 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
3 
Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
4 
5 
SEC. 6. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
6 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
7 
8 
9 
Approved,