NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
vVi5r:'ci/«0lifcp of liif
*22 AUG -8 All 51
S. No. 1078
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL LEAVES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 
PROVIDING PARAMETERS THEREFOR, AND AMENDING FOR SUCH 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI­
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Violence against women and children (VAWC) has intensified over the years, 
especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippine Commission on Women 
received nearly triple the number of complaints and reports of VAWC cases. 
Accordingly, from March to November 2020, there had been 13,923 reported cases - 
9,176 of which were cases against women while the remaining 4,747 were against 
children1. Further, based on the preliminary results of the 2017 National Demographic 
and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in four 
married women aged 15-49 experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by 
their husband or partner2. But the burden that victims of domestic violence bear does 
not end upon emancipating themselves from their abusive partners. Victims must 
overcome legal, medical, social, and financial hurdles in order to be fully independent 
and self-sufficient. In consideration of these needs, the Anti-Violence against Women 
and Children (VAWC) Act provides for ten (10) days paid leave from work for victims
1 https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/12/12/pwc-violence-women-children-pandemic.html
2
https://psa.gov.ph/content/one-four-women-have-ever-experienced-spousal-violence-preliminary-results-
2017-national


of abuse to afford them an opportunity to pursue legal proceedings, relocate their 
residence, care for their children, or attend counseling sessions.
However, in the case of legal proceedings alone, there may be a need to go to 
court once a month. The same can be said for counseling and therapy that needs to 
be regular in order to be effective. Add to this the similar needs and frequency of 
appointments for the minor children of women who have also suffered domestic 
violence. Considering these circumstances, the minimum ten (10) days of leave 
afforded to victims of domestic violence would be grossly Insufficient.
Thus, the proposed measure increases the number of minimum leaves afforded 
to victims of domestic violence into twenty (20) days. While the VAWC Act allows 
extension of the 10 days presently provided under law, such extension would have to 
be upon approval and determination of the court.
This bill proposes that the minimum number of leaves needed by victims of 
domestic violence would be available to them immediately upon court determination 
that they are Indeed suffering from domestic abuse - as opposed to the need to further 
establish and justify the need for more than 10 days leave. This bill likewise ensures 
that the number of leaves may be allocated throughout the entire period of the legal 
proceedings and/or medical treatment, counselling or therapy. In this regard, this 
piece of legislation hopes to empower victims of domestic abuse to recover from the 
trauma of their past by helping them put in order their medical, legal, and domestic 
needs.
lLITO" M. LAPID
Senator 
i


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1078
of il.cii-r'trftarn
•22 AD6 -8 All 51
RKCiVLDB : .
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
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GRANTING ADDITIONAL LEAVES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,
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PROVIDING PARAMETERS THEREFOR, AND AMENDING FOR SUCH
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PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI-
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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the" Additional Leaves for
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Victims of Domestic Violence Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State values the dignity of women and 
children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State further recognizes 
the need to protect the family and its members, particularly women and children, from 
violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Towards this end, the State 
shall exert efforts to aid victims of domestic violence to recover from the trauma 
thereof, be it for the purpose of putting in order medical, legal, or domestic needs.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term-
a) "Domestic Violence" shall refer to any act or acts of abuse as defined in Section 
3 of Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the "Anti-Violence Against 
Women and Their Children Act of 2004";
b) ^'Eligible Employed' shall refer to an individual who (1) is a victim of domestic 
violence or is the parent of a minor child who is a victim of domestic violence;
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and (2) has been employed for at least twelve (12) months by the employer to 
whom a request for leave under this Act is directed.
c) 
Employer"' shall refer to the national or local government or any of its or 
instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, as 
well as private employers or entities that employ at least fifteen (15) persons 
each work day for twenty (20) or more weeks within a given calendar year;
d) ""Certification from Proper Authorities' shall refer to any of the following insofar 
as the same can establish that the employee is a victim of domestic violence:
1) Certification from the court wherein legal proceedings have been 
initiated that the employee or her minor child Is involved in legal 
proceedings related to domestic violence;
2) Certification from a competent medical professional that the employee 
or her minor child need medical attention, counseling, or therapy in 
relation to domestic violence committed against them; or
3) Certification from law enforcement agencies or anti-domestic violence 
advocacy groups or help desks that the victim and/or her minor children 
are victims of domestic violence.
Sec. 4. Amendment of Republic Act No. 9262. - Section 43 of Republic Act No. 
9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 
2004, is amended as follows:
"SECTION 43. Entitled to Leave. - Victims under this Act shall be 
entitled to take a paid leave of absence up to [ten (10)] AN
AGGREGATE OF TWENTY (20) DAYS UNTIL THE 
TERMINATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, AND/OR 
MEDICAL TREATMENT, COUNSELING OR THERAPY in
addition to other paid leaves under the Labor Code and Civil 
Service Rules and Regulations, extendible when the necessity 
arises as specified in the protection order.


ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES MAY CLAIM SUCH ALLOWABLE 
LEAVES, UPON SUBMISSION OF A CERTIFICATION 
FROM PROPER AUTHORITIES AND AFTER GIVING DUE 
NOTICE TO THEIR EMPLOYER, FOR MEDICAL 
TREATMENT, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, RELOCATION, 
COUNSELING, OR THERAPY RELATED TO SUCH 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR TO EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO 
THEIR MINOR CHILDREN FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
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XXX
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretaries of the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and 
Employment shall Issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper 
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, other provisions that are not affected thereby shall continue to be 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof that are Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or 
repealed accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity Ciause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or In at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,