FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session }
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 703

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Studies show that former prisoners have a slimmer chance of being employed
after their release. Most, if not all employers, are reluctant to hire former prisoners,
because of their criminal past. This makes it difficult for former prisoners to reform
and reintegrate into the society.

This bill seeks to provide incentives to private establishments hiring inmates.
It proposes an additional deduction from the gross income, equivalent to fifteen
percent (15%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to former prisoners, to
be given to business establishments employing former prisoners.

It also seeks to create a Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former
Prisoners under the Department of Justice, which is tasked to draft the implementing
rules and regulations for the training and employment of former prisoners.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. ‘IGUEZ

Wa

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HouseBill'No. __'703

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

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

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Former Prisoners’
Employment Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to aid former
prisoners 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. The Secretary of Department of Justice and the Secretary of
Department of Labor and Employment shall, within thirty (30) days from effectivity of
this Act, issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of
the provisions of this law.

SECTION 8. Appropriations. 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
(P100,000,000), shall be allocated for the first year of its implementation.

SECTION 9. Repealing 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. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid
oF unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 11. Effectivity 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