14th CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
=PUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Although women now have political rights in all but a few countries of the world, 
and are, therefore, in a better position to become more active agents of change, their 
subordinate position in many other fields has delayed progress. (whittick, Arnold Woman 
Into Citizen 1979.) 
The history of every nation bears witness to the changes that have gradually taken 
place in the situation of woman at the local and national level, even at the international 
level. We have witnessed the development of wider possibilities for education and 
training, better access to economic opportunities, improve maternal and child health care 
and other social services, changes in civil laws and gradual changes in attitude towards 
women in general. 
Their contributions to solving problems not only in their respective households 
but also in their workplace are more and more vital. Women should assume their 
responsibility as one of their priorities. This would finally make them equals as decision- 
makers in local and national affairs. This could give them an opportunity not only to 
improve their own situation but also share with men the responsibility in the affairs of 
society. 
However, in the Philippines today, and even with the worldwide emancipation of 
women in society, discrimination against women generally still exists in the ordinary 
workplace. Filipino women continue to suffer indignities in the course of their 
employment, merely because they are women. While our Constitutional policy is clear - 
Section 14, Article I1 of the Constitution requires the State to recognize the role of 
women in nation-building and to ensure the hndamental equality before the law of 
women - enabling legislation to hlly carry out this mandate, is lacking. 
This bill 'penalizes the employer who will give preference to a male employee 
over a female employee in the hiring process, whether through notices or advertisements 
for employment or in the actual recruitment, hiring or employment of porkers where the 
particular job can be equally handled by a woman. 
Also, it prohibits the denial to any women the benefits of employment or other 
statutory benefits under our laws by reason of her sex. 
Gone are the days when women were considered to be the weaker sex, according 
to a recent study by Time magazine. We must not only recognize that women have an 
important role in nation building, but also realize that their position in society is eminent, 
integral and indispensable. 
This humble representation urges the immedia 


14'" CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
' 18.6 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING THE PROHIBITED ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST 
WOMEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEX ARTICLES 135 AND 137 OF P.D. 442, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assenihIed: 
SECTlON 1. Articles 135 of P.D. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the 
Labor Code of the Philippines, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"Art. 135., Discrimination Prohibited. - It shall be unlawful for any employer; to ' 
discriminate against any women employee with respect to terms and conditions of 
employment solely on account of her sex. 
The following are acts of discrimination: 
(a) Payment of a lesser compensation, including wage, salary or other 
form of remuneration and fringe benefits, to a female employee as against 
a male employee, for work of equal value; [and] 
(b)Favoring a male employee with respect to promotion, ASSIGNMENT, 
training opportunities, study and schQlarship grants solely on account of 
their sexes; 
(c)'GIVING PREFERENCE TO A MALE EMPLOYEE OVER A 
FEMALE EMPLOYEE IN THE HIRWG PROCESS, WHETHER 
THROUGH NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR ADVERTISEMENTS 
FOR EMPLOYMENT AND APPRENTICESHIP OR IN THE ACTUAL 
RECRUITMENT, HIRING OR EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS 
W R E  THE PARTICULAR JOB CAN BE EQUALLY HANDLED BY 
A WOMAN: AND 
(d)FAVORING A MALE EMPLOYEE OVER A FEMALE EMPLOYEE 
WITH RESPECT TO DISMISSAL OF PERSONNEL OR THE 
APPLICATION OF THE FIRST IN 
FIRST OUT OR OTI-IER 
RETRENCHMENT POLICY OF THEIR EMPLOYER. AND 
Criminal liability for the wilful commission of any unlawful act as provided in 
this article or any violation of the rules and regulations issued pursuant to Section 2 of 
Republic Act No. 6725 shall be penalized as provided in Article 288 and 289 of this 
Code: Provided,; That the institution of any criminal action under this provision. Shall not 
bar the aggrieved employee from filing an entirely separate and distinct action for money 
claims, which may include claims for damages and other affirmative reliefs. The actions 
thereby authorized shall proceed independently of each other. 


SECTION 2. Article 137 of PD 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor 
Code of the Philippines, is hereby amended and read as follows; 
“Article 137. Prohibited Acts: (a) It shall be unlawful for any employer: 
(I) 
To deny a woman employee the benefits provided for in this Chapter 
or to discharge any woman employed by him for the purpose of 
preventing her fro enjoying any of the benefits provided under this 
Code. 
(2) To discharge such woman on account of her pregnancy, or while on 
leave or in confinement due to pregnancy; 
(3) To discharge or refuse the admission of such woman upon returning to 
her work for fear she may again pregnant; AND 
(4) TO DENY ANY WOMANTHE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT OR 
OTHER STATUTORY BENEFITS UNDER OUR LAWS BY 
REASON OF HER SEX.” 
SECTION 3. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department of Labor’ and Employment, shall issue and publish the necessary rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 4. I f any provision of this Act is held to be unconstitutional or 
invalid, the same shall not affect the remainder thereof. 
SECTION 5. AI1 laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential 
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation 
whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,