FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1948 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to legislate the. period of probationary employment for professors, 
instructors, and teachers, and other academic personnel in private educational institutions. 
It is a declared policy of the State to recognize the complementary roles of public and 
private institutions in the educational system. Consistent with this, the State shall exercise 
reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions and likewise enhance the 
right of teachers to professional advancement. The State shall further ensure that teaching will 
attract and retain its rightfhl share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration 
and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment. (Art. XIV, Sec. 4(1), Sec. 5(4) and 5(5), 1987 
Constitution) 
In furtherance of these declarations, there is a need to shorten the probationary 
employment for teachers, instructors, and professors and other academic persounel in private 
schools from the existing three-year period to just a year of very satisfactory service for those in 
the elementary and secondary levels, from six down to two consecutive regular semesters of very 
satisfactory service for in the tertiary level, and from nine to three consecutive trimesters of very 
satisfactory service for those in the tertiary level where collegiate courses are offered on the 
trimester basis. This measure will ensure that private schools get the best available talents and 
employ them as regular employees at the shortest time possible, while simultaneously affording 
to the academic personnel their right to professional advancement. 
1 


This is a senate counterpart hill to one filed in the House of Representatives by former 
Rep. Oscar OOZOS. 1 
Lw'- 4,h.vtrr. ,0,,;1:;; 
Jl!U-MIRIAM DEF~SOR s;(NTIA('O 
J This was originally filed during the 14th Congress I" Regular Session 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
)? f'" '1-' 
£. L, 
-' 
,. r 
. SEN~T.e 
S. No. 
1~48 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
PROVIDING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT OF ACADEMIC 
3 
PERSONNEL IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEREBY AMENDING FOR THE 
4 
PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442 (AS AMENDED), OTHERWISE 
5 
KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
6 
SECTION 1. There shall be incorporated after Article 281 of Book VI, Title 1 of the 
7 
Labor Code a new article to read as follows: 
8 
"ART. 2S1-A. Probationary period of academic personnel in private 
9 
schools. - The probationary period for academic personnel shall not be more than 
10 
one (1) calendar year of very satisfactory service for those in the elementary and 
11 
secondary levels, two (2) consecutive regular semesters of very satisfactory 
12 
service for those in the tertiary level, and three (3) consecutive trimesters of very 
13 
satisfactory service for those in the tertiary level where collegiate courses are 
14 
offered on the trimester basis. 
15 
For this purpose, the term "academic personnel" shall include: 
16 
A) Those engaged in actual teaching service, either on full time or 
17 
part-time basis. 
IS 
B) Those who possess certain prescribed academic functions directly 
19 
supportive of teaching such as: 
20 
1) Registrars 
21 
2) Librarians 
22 
3) Guidance counselors 
23 
4) Researchers 
1 


• 
• 
1 
5) Other similarly employed individuals 
2 
C) Other school officials responsible for academic matters." 
3 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
4 
regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended 
5 
or modified accordingly. 
6 
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
7 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
8 
whichever comes earlier. 
Approved. 
2