Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 2227
 Introduced by Representative Charisse Anne C. Hernandez
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 10361, otherwise known as the “Domestic Workers Act '' or the “Batas 
Kasambahay” is one of the landmark legislations protecting the marginalized house helpers or 
kasambahays.
Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA No. 10361, a kasambahay may be 
hired directly by the employer or through a Private Employment Agency (PEA), and in no case shall 
recruitment or finder’s fees be charged against the domestic worker by the PEA as it shall be borne by 
the employer.
Under the Batas Kasambahay, PEAs should impose as standard requirements for applicants 
in facilitating employment of house helpers: (a) Medical certificate or a health certificate issued by a 
local  government  health  officer;  (b)  Barangay  and  police  clearance;  (c)  National  Bureau  of 
Investigation (NBI) clearance; and (d) Duly authenticated birth certificate or if not available, any other 
document showing the age of the domestic worker such as voter’s identification card, baptismal record 
or passport.
However, what happens when the PEAs are used as entry points for those with criminal minds 
to penetrate the homes of the unsuspecting employer? Will the submission of those documents be 
enough to protect those who paid for the services of the PEAs? 
This bill aims to safeguard the persons of the employers and their family in their abode against 
those who might use PEAs as vehicles in executing their criminal intentions by imposing greater 
responsibility and accountability from PEAs.
Therefore, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
 CHARISSE ANNE C. HERNANDEZ
    Representative
      Lone District, Calamba City
July 23, 2025
3:09 pm


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 2227
Introduced by Representative Charisse Anne C. Hernandez
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING GREATER RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM PRIVATE 
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.  
10361, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "BATAS KASAMBAHAY''
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 36 of Republic Act 10361, otherwise known as the "Batas 
Kasambahay", is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 36. Regulation of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). - The DOLE shall, 
through a system of licensing and regulation, ensure the protection of BOTH THE domestic 
workers hired through the PEAs AND THEIR EMPLOYERS.
"The PEA shall be jointly and severally liable with the employer for all the wages, 
wage-related benefits, and other benefits due a domestic worker.
"The provision of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the 
'Labor Code of the Philippines', on qualifications of the PEAs with regard to nationality, net 
worth,  owners  and  officers,  office  space  and  other  requirements,  as  well  as 
nontransferability of license and commission of prohibited practices, shall apply.
"In addition, PEAs shall have the following responsibilities:
(A) CONDUCT  A  DILIGENT  BACKGROUND  CHECK  ON  THE  IDENTITY,
PERSONAL  AND  FAMILY  BACKGROUND  THROUGH  ACTUAL
VERIFICATION,  AND  TO  THE  EXTENT  POSSIBLE,  SUPPORTED  BY
RELEVANT  DOCUMENTS  SUCH  AS  NATIONAL  BUREAU  OF
INVESTIGATION  (NBI),  POLICE  AND  BARANGAY  CLEARANCES  OR
CERTIFICATES, AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES;
[(a)]  (B)  Ensure that  THE  domestic worker[s are]  IS  not charged or levied any 
recruitment or placement fees;
[(b)] (C) Ensure that the employment agreement between the domestic worker and the 
employer stipulates the terms and conditions of employment and all the 


benefits prescribed by this Act;
[(c)] (D) Provide a pre-employment orientation briefing to the domestic worker and the 
employer about their rights and responsibilities in accordance with this Act;
[(d)]  (E)  Keep copies of employment contracts and agreements pertaining to  THE
recruited  domestic  worker[s]  which  shall  be  made  available  during 
inspections or whenever required by the DOLE or local government officials;
[(e)] (F} Assist THE domestic worker[s] with respect to complaints or grievances against 
the[ir] employer[s]; and
[(f)] (G) Cooperate with government agencies in rescue operations involving AN abused or 
exploited domestic worker[s]."
SEC. 2. A sub-section is hereby inserted after Section 36 of the "Batas Kasambahay'' to read as 
follows:
"SECTION 36-A.- RESPONSIBILITY OF PEAs TO EMPLOYERS - THE PEA SHALL 
BE SUBSIDIARILY LIABLE IN RELATION TO ANY CRIMINAL ACT COMMITTED BY THE 
DOMESTIC WORKER AGAINST THE EMPLOYER IN THE COURSE OF THE DOMESTIC 
WORKER'S EMPLOYMENT: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH ACCOUNTABILITY SHALL CEASE 
AFTER  ONE  (1)  YEAR  FROM  THE  FIRST  DAY  OF  THE  DOMESTIC  WORKER'S 
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE EMPLOYER."
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of 
this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Social 
Welfare and Development, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, the Director General of 
the Philippine National Police, other concerned government agencies, and accredited non-government 
organizations assisting domestic workers, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
this Act.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause - If any part, section or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect;
SEC. 5  Repealing Clause  - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or issuances 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.