FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
1 
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas 
Filipinos Act of 1995 was enacted to protect and promote the welfare of migrant 
workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress. 
Over a decade after its enactment, RA 8042 has not entirely lived up to its 
intended purpose. Filipinos abroad continue to suffer under abusive employers, 
inhuman working conditions and various human rights violations. Every time a Filipino 
encounters problems helshe seeks assistance from various posts abroad but some 
concerned officials fail to extend assistance. Unfortunately, the law does not chastise or 
penalize any government official in the consular, labor and welfare services who fails or 
refuses to give assistance to Filipino migrant workers. 
This bill seeks to impose penalties on Philippine consular officials and other 
government personnel for failure to act on complaints of, or to give assistance or render 
service to migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress, amending 
for the purpose the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995." 
It is hoped that instituting penalties for errant government officials posted abroad 
shall ensure their adherence to their duties and responsibilities. This bill also aims to 
give our compatriots some assurance that their fundamental rights and freedoms shall 
not at anytime be compromised or violated. 
Approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
MAN YVI LAR * 


I_ 
.
.
 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
( 
;.f'; 
.If.-, 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
fIE,[:E'l&C 
SENATE 
I 
Senate Bill No. 1879 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT IMPOSING PENALTIES ON PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OFFICIALS AND 
OTHER GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO OVERSEAS POSTS FOR 
FAILURE TO ACT ON COMPLAINTS OF, GIVE ASSISTANCE TO OR RENDER 
SERVICES TO MIGRANT WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS 
FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE "MIGRANT 
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
SECTION 1. Republic'Act No. 8042 entitled the "Migrant Workers and Overseas 
Filipinos Act of 1995" is hereby amended by adding a new section after Section 24 to be 
stated as Section 24-A to read as follows: 
Congress assembled: 
"SECTION. 24-A. PENALTIES.- WITHOUT PREDUDICE TO THE FILING OF 
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT/S, PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OFFICIALS AND OTHER 
GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL WHO FAIL OR REFUSE TO RENDER THE SERVlCElS 
AND/OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN TITLES 111, IV AND V OF THIS ACT SHALL, 
AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, AND IF FOUND GUILTY, BE PUNISHED WITH 
SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE OF.NOT LESS THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS TO 
DISMISSAL FROM THE SERVICE WITH FORFEITURE OF RETIREMENT AND 
OTHER BENEFITS DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THEIR OFFENSES, AND 
SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN 
THE FUTURE. 
FOR THIS PURPOSE, CONGRESS, IN COORDINATION WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND 
EMPLOYMENT, 
SHALL 
FORMULATE 
THE 
NECESSARY 
RULES 
AND 
PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SUCH HEARlNGlS AND IMPOSITION OF 
APPROPRIATE PENALTIES." 


SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect immediately upon approval. 
Approved,