SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Sessiou 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 214 
Introduced by Senator GREGORIO B. HONASAN II 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims: 
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to 
equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any 
discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to 
such discrimination. 
For the same purpose, Section 1, Article XIII of our Constitution on Social Justice 
and Human Rights states that: 
The Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that 
protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce 
social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by 
equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good. 
Furthermore, Section 3 Article XIII thereof states that: 
The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized 
and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment 
opportunities for all. 
While the Philippine constitution affirms the principles of employment non-
discrimination, heightism or discrimination based on height is a reality today that 
has been practiced among law enforcement agencies in the country, evidently 
oblivious to the fact that Napoleon's "altitude problem" was neither a hindrance to 
his performance as a general nor a drawback to the feat of Asians who have proven 
their worth in war and peace though they may be shorter than their Western 
counterparts. Still, we unwittingly practice discrimination against our own. 
Although measures are being taken to correct the situation by the issuance of 
waivers by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the stigma of 
heightism still apparently hovers over the hiring process of the Philippine National 
Police (PNP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the 
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to the disadvantage of people who have grown 
closer to the earth. 


Adversely affected by the height restrictions are certain Indigenous Filipinos. It is 
an anthropological fact that Indigenous Filipinos who have successfully resisted 
colonization have genetic make-ups different from their brothers and sisters who 
have for centuries interacted with foreigners. The social prejudice extends beyond 
the issue of height.· Certainly it is unjust for present society to de~y national 
minorities equal treatment because they have retained physical characteristics that 
could somehow be attributed to their gallantry and heroism. 
Height discrimination u=ecessarily limits quality choice while promoting social 
prejudice. 
Sociological studies point to the conclusion that this institutional 
prejudice falls under ethnic or racial prejudice. Physical impairment may be a 
consideration in tasks requiring rugged physical activity but not all who are short 
are physically, much less intellectually, impaired. It is right for hiring institutions 
to employ people for their intellect, for their drive and for what they can bring to 
the organization but wrong to deny them for reasons of creed, color, culture, 
gender identity or height. 
This Bill seeks the REPEAL OF THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR 
APPLICANTS TO THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, THE BUREAU OF 
JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, AND THE BUREAU OF FIRE 
PROTECTION based on the principle that all people have equal rights to be 
employed unhampered by prejudices that have nothing to do with their merit or 
competence to carry out their duties. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of hi measure is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 214 
Introduced by Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II 
AN ACT 
REPEALING THE MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS TO 
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION 
(BFP), AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "PNP, BFP and BJMP Height 
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Equality Act of 2013". 
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SEC. 2. The height requirement for applicants to the Philippine National 
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Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is 
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hereby repealed. 
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SEC 3. Pursuant to the immediately preceding Section, Section 30 (h) of 
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Republic Act No. 6975 or the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act 
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of 1990," as amended by Republic Act No. 8551 or the "Philippine National Police 
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Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998", is hereby repealed. 
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SEC 4. Pursuant to Section 2 of this Act, Sections 15 and 16 of Republic 
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Act No. 8551, and Section 4 (h) of Republic Act No. 9263 or the "Bureau of Fire 
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Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 
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2004," as amended by Republic Act No. 9592 are hereby amended, insofar as 


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these provisions refer to any height requirement, to give effect to the Imandated 
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repeal of the height requirement for applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP. 
SEC. 5. Applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP who were conditionally 
appointed by the PNP, BFP and BJMP as uniformed personnel and were required 
but have not submitted their corresponding waiver for the height requirement, and 
whose appointments have been pending with the Civil Service Commission, upon 
the effectivity of this Act, are hereby deemed to have complied with such 
requirement. 
SEC. 6. The National Police Commission, upon the recommendation of the 
Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government; and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 
coordination with the BFP, the BJMP, and the Civil Service Commission shall, within 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the PNP, and the BFP and BJMP, respectively, for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 7. If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared to be 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 8. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances, 
or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, kre hereby 
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deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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