THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
I 
SENATE 
S. No. 
7 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Providing equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of sex, is one step towards 
departing from the prevailing social and economic inequity in the country. Gender bias, both in 
hiring or recruiting of workers, bolsters the traditional perception of society that the woman’s 
proper place is that of the house -- a perception that has become an obstacle to the employability 
of women. Our country, however, is becoming more aware of the need to treat men and women 
equally, thus, effectuating de jure equality of men and women, as enshrined in the Constitution: 
“The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental 
equality before the law of women and men.” The 1987 Constitution likewise declares, “The State 
shall ... promote ... equality of employment opportunities for all.” To translate the policies 
enunciated in the Constitution into realities, there arc laws which give women equal legal status 
with men such as: 
RA 7192 or the Women in Nation-Building Act which establishes 
opportunities for women to participate in economic development; RA 6725, which strengthens 
the prohibition on discrimination against women with respect to terms and conditions of 
employment. Notwithstanding the enactment of these laws, much has to be done to promote 
women’s welfare and status. 
A study conducted by the Bureau of Women and Young Workers and the National 
Statistics Office revealed that women employees generally earn less than their male counterparts; 
women are predominant in low-skilled jobs;, and fever women advance to the top of the 
organizational hierarchy. Thus, one can see the disparittes engendered by sexual discrimination. 
It is indeed a reality that calls for a positive and concerted action. 
The proposed Bill, in keeping with the policy to eliminate sex-based discrimination in 
employment, penalizes an employer who favors a male employee over a female employee, 
whether through notices, announcements or advertisements for employment or in the actual 
hiring or admission of workers, thus bringing about a step towards equitable employment 
opportunity for all. This will expand the scope of acts of discrimination by an employer against 
women as enumerated under Art. 135 of the Labor Code. The amendment seeks to encourage 
employers to recruit and hire more women in the workplace, thereby, eliminating the big 
stumbling block to women’s employability. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this Bill is earnestly urged. 


‘. 
” -. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
AN ACT EXPANDING THE PROHIBITED ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST 
WOMEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 135 of the Labor Code, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘Art. 135. Discrimination prohibited. - It shall be unlawful for any employer to discriminate 
against: any woman 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 over a female employee with respect to promotion, 
ASSIGNMENT, training opportunities, study and scholarship grants solely on account of their 
sexes; 
(C) 
GIVING PREFERENCE TO A MALE EMPLOYEE OVER A FEMALE EMPLOYEE 
IN THE HIRING PROCESS, WHETHER THROUGH NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR 
ADVERTISEMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND APPRENTICESHIP OR IN THE ACTUAL 


RECRUITMENT, HIRING 
OR 
EMPLOYMENT 
OF 
WORKERS 
WHERE 
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 LAST IN - 
FIRST OUT OR OTHER RETRENCHMENT POLICY OF THE EMPLOYER.” 
SEC. 2. 
Article 137 of the Labor Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 137. Prohibited acts. - (a) It shall be unlawful for any employer: 
“(1) 
To deny any woman employee the benefits provided for in this Chapter or to discharge 
any woman employed by him for the purpose of preventing her from enjoying any of the benefits 
provided under this Code; 
“(2) 
confinement due to her pregnancy; 
“(3) 
fear that she may again be pregnant; AND 
To discharge such woman on account of her pregnancy, or while on leave or in 
To discharge or refuse the admission of such woman upon returning to her work for 
(4)TO DENY ANY WOMAN THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER 
STATUTORY BENEFITS UNDER OUR LAWS BY REASON OF HER SEX.” 
SEC. 3. 
Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and 
Employment, in consultation with the Tripartite Industrial Council, shall issue and publish the 
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 4. 
All 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. 
SEC. 5. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the 
OfJiciaZ Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,