1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2610 
Introduced by Hon. Kenneth T. Gatchalian 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The digital economy has now emerged as an innovative economy, 
utilizing digital technologies and electronic communication to conduct 
economic and business activities. It has been recognized as a primary driver of 
economic growth and development in many advanced countries, reshaping 
traditional business models and labor markets1.  
In the Philippines, the digital economy contributed 8.5% to the country’s 
Gross Domestic Product in 2024, reaching PhP 2.25 trillion. In terms of 
employment, it engaged 11.30 million workers in 2024, comprising 23.1% of the 
total national employment2. These figures affirm that the digital economy is not 
a trend, but a structural pillar of the Philippine economy.  
Globally, although there is no International Bureau of Labor, the 
Philippines is generally considered one of the leading sources of virtual 
assistants. UpWork, for example, has identified the Philippines in 2023 to hold 
thirteen (13) percent (ranked highest) of the marketplace’s virtual assistants3.  
1 Lei, X., Baghaie, S., & Sajadi, S. M. (2024). The digital economy: Challenges and opportunities in 
the new era of technology and electronic communications. Ain Shams Engineering Journal. Advance 
online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102411 
2 Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025, April 29). Philippine Digital Economy Satellite Account: Digital 
economy contributes 8.5 percent to the Philippine economy in 2024. 
https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/digital-economy 
3 Prialto. (2023). Essential virtual assistant statistics for 2023 [Blog post]. Prialto. Retrieved from 
https://www.prialto.com/blog/virtual-assistant-statistics 
July 30, 2025
11:32  am


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Given its flexibility, work arrangement, and financial advantage,  many 
Filipinos are now choosing online work over traditional labor.  
This is where the challenge arises – the Labor Code of the Philippines was 
crafted for the traditional, office-based employment. As such, it does not 
adequately reflect the unique nature of virtual, remote, and freelance work. 
This bill addresses this gap in the law by establishing safeguards tailored to the 
emerging digital workforce of the country, specifically Virtual Assistants (VAs) 
and Online Freelancers, who now comprise a significant segment of the modern 
labor market.  
This measure seeks to establish a legal framework that recognizes and 
protects the rights of Filipino VAs and Online Freelancers. It supports their 
entitlement to written contracts, fair and timely compensation, access to social 
protection, and grievance mechanisms. It also mandates the creation of the 
Digital Labor Rights Help Desk under the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE) to provide institutional support, legal guidance, and 
redress for digital workers.  
By institutionalizing protection for this fast-growing sector of the 
economy, this measure upholds the dignity of labor, promotes inclusive 
growth, and ensures that the Philippine labor system adapts to the demands of 
the 21st-century digital economy.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.   
KENNETH T. GATCHALIAN 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2610 
Introduced by Hon. Kenneth T. Gatchalian 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF FILIPINO 
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS (VAs) AND ONLINE FREELANCERS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Virtual 
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Assistants (VAs) and Online Freelancers Rights Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Pursuant to Article II, Section 18, and 
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Article XIII, Section 3 of the Constitution, it is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to protect the rights of workers, promote their welfare, and afford full 
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protection to labor. To this end, the State shall ensure equal protection and 
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recognition of the rights of Filipino Virtual Assistants and Online Freelancers, as 
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well as uphold the legitimate interests of their employers. 
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SEC. 3. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all Filipino virtual assistants 
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and online freelancers, including but not limited to self-employed individuals, 
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independent contractors, or project-based workers hired or retained to provide 
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services in exchange for compensation. 
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This shall include those who render services remotely through digital 
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platforms, communication technologies, or direct client arrangements, whether local 
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or foreign employers, and regardless of the frequency, duration, or scope of the 
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engagement.  
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
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a) Employer/s refers to any digital platform, website, person or legal entity 
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that obtains the services of a virtual assistant and/or online freelancer;   
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b) Online Freelancers refers to an individual who earns income by providing 
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services remotely through digital means to clients, whether local or 
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foreign;  
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c) Virtual Assistants (VAs) refer to a type of online freelancer who provides 
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remote, client-directed services through digital means.  
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SEC. 5. Right to Written Contracts. – All freelance engagements shall be 
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written in plain language, understood by both parties. It shall include, at the 
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minimum, the following:  
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a) Itemization of all services to be provided by the virtual assistant or online 
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freelancer; 
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b) Details of compensation and other worker’s benefits, including rate, 
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method, and schedule of payment; 
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c) Period of employment; 
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d) Grounds for breach of contract on the part of the employer and of the 
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virtual assistant or online freelancer; and  
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e) Any other condition, term, or clause that the Department of Labor and 
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Employment (DOLE) may direct, subject to the provisions of this Act.  
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The contract must state the necessary personal circumstances of the virtual 
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assistant or online freelancers, such as but not limited to the virtual assistant or 
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online freelancer’s name, address and the worker’s Tax Identification Number 
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(TIN). No modification of the terms of the contract shall be enforceable unless 
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signed by both the employer and the virtual assistant or online freelancers. 
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SEC. 6. Fair and Timely Compensation. – All virtual assistants and online 
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freelancers must have the right to fair and timely compensation from their 
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employers. 
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SEC. 7. Social Protection. – All virtual assistants and online freelancers 
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shall have access to voluntary coverage under social protection agencies, including 
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but not limited to the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance 
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Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG 
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Fund).  
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SEC. 8. Remedies and Grievance Redress. – The DOLE shall establish a 
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Digital Labor Rights Help Desk for virtual assistants and online freelancers. This 
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mechanism shall provide access to: 
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a) Filing of complaints related to non-payment, underpayment, breach of 
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contract, or unfair practices by employers; 
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b) Mediation and conciliation services to facilitate amicable dispute 
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resolution;  
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c) Legal advisory services, including guidance on contracts, taxation, and 
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enforcement of virtual assistants and online freelancers, as provided by 
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this Act, and other relevant laws; and  
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d) Reporting and tracking for recurrent or high-risk violators, including 
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mechanism for blacklisting abusive employers. 
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SEC. 9. Implementation. – The Secretary of Labor and Employment, in 
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coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology 
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(DICT), and other relevant agencies shall issue such rules and regulations as may be 
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necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
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remain in full force and effect.  
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
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decrees or issuances, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and 
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regulations as well as local ordinances contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions 
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of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.  
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
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Approved,