NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr.  
__________________________________________________________________________ 
THE MAGNA CARTA OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Teachers play an important facet of our society.  Whether a student is enrolled 
in a public school or a private one, the role that teachers play remain the same yet 
there is an imbalance with regard to the right of public school teachers and private 
school teachers. Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School 
Teachers provides for a framework of promoting and improving the social and 
economic status of public school teachers, yet private school teachers have no 
legislation that guarantees and ensures their protection. 
Thus, this measure seeks to provide for a framework in ensuring that private 
school teachers will be accorded proper compensation by providing for a criteria in 
setting their salaries; granting them leave benefits and other benefits; protecting and 
promoting their constitutional rights by ensuring they have the right to self-
organization and form unions; and providing penalties and other liabilities for 
violation of any rights of private school teachers. These measures are intended to 
raise the quality of life of teachers in line with the state policy to promote quality 
education and making it accessible for all. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren 
Legarda, this bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the 
reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 
REPRESENTATIVE, LONE DISTRICT OF ANTIQUE 
July 13, 2022
8:43 pm
1969


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
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a) Education is a vital function of society and as such, shall be given due
11 
recognition and support by the government.
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b) Teachers play an essential role in inculcating upon pupils and students
13 
respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms and in the total
14 
development of a human personality and of the nation as a whole.  It is
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important, therefore, that their own civil, political, and socio-economic rights
16 
shall be respected, protected, and fulfilled.
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c) Teachers comprise the largest group of professional and service workers of
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society and, if united, can be potent agents of progressive reform in the
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educational system and the nation as a whole.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. 1969 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
THE MAGNA CARTA OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
A. General Provisions
Section 1. Declaration Of Policy.—It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State 
to promote and improve the social and economic status of private school teachers, 
their living and working conditions, their terms of employment and career prospects 
in order that they may compare favorably with existing opportunities in other walks 
of life, attract and retain in the teaching profession more people with the proper 
qualifications, it being recognized that teachers in private schools play a vital role in 
the delivery of education to Filipino children. 
Sec. 2. Guiding Principles. – In matters involving the rights and welfare of private 
school teachers, the following are the guiding principles: 


 
2
d) Working conditions for teachers should be such as will best promote effective 
1 
teaching, research, and extension work to enable them to carry out their 
2 
professional tasks. 
3 
e) All aspects of employment and tenure of teachers shall be free from any form 
4 
of discrimination of grounds of sex, gender, civil status, religion, political 
5 
belief or affiliation, economic condition, or membership in any organization.  
6 
f) Faculty organizations shall be recognized as a force which can contribute 
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greatly to the advancement of the rights and welfare of teachers.  Therefore, 
8 
their right to participate in the determination of education and personnel 
9 
policies, shall be fully respected.  
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g) Teachers have the capacity to propagate a nationalist and scientific education. 
11 
Sec. 3. Construction in favor of Teachers. – All doubts in the implementation and 
12 
interpretation of the provisions of this Act including its implementing rules and 
13 
regulations shall be resolved in favor of teachers. 
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Sec. 4. Definition. – As used in this Act, ―teacher‖ shall mean all persons engaged 
15 
in classroom teaching in any level of instruction on full-time or part-time basis. 
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B.  Recruitment and Career 
17 
Sec. 5. Minimum Qualifications of a Private School Teacher.  – Teaching personnel in 
18 
pre-school, elementary and secondary level of basic education in all private schools 
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must possess professional teaching licenses.  For basic education, those who have 
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not passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) but have pre-LET required 
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Education units may be hired, Provided, that they shall be given at least three years 
22 
from the date of hiring, or from the effectivity of this Act in cases of teachers already 
23 
hired, to take and pass the LET.  Furthermore, a master’s degree in teaching, 
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education, pedagogy and other similar, related, or allied disciplines shall deemed an 
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equivalent of a professional teaching license for purposes of this Section. 
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For all levels of instruction, the following shall constitute the minimum educational 
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qualifications for teacher-applicants: 
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a) Pre-school and elementary - Bachelor’s degree in elementary education or its 
29 
equivalent. Pre-school teachers shall have at least six units of professional 
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subjects relating to pre-primary education. 
31 


 
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b) Secondary, for Academic subjects - Bachelor’s degrees in secondary education 
1 
or its equivalent or Bachelor of Arts or Science degree or its equivalent with at 
2 
least eighteen professional units in education. 
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c) Secondary Vocational and Two-Year Technical Courses - Bachelor’s degrees 
4 
in the field of specialization with at least eighteen professional units in 
5 
education. 
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d) Collegiate Level other than Vocational - Master’s degrees with a specific area 
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of specialization or a specialization in an allied discipline except when there is 
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a lack of applicants with Master’s Degree in which case a bachelor’s degree in 
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specific area of specialization or a specialization in an allied discipline will 
10 
suffice subject to regulations which the CHED will impose.  Other equivalent 
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professional experience, especially for practitioners of skills related to an area 
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of specialization or an allied discipline, shall also be deemed as equivalent of 
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the degree requirement for the purpose of hiring college teachers, subject to 
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reasonable regulations which the CHED may impose. 
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e) Graduate School Level - Doctor of Philosophy with a specific area of 
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specialization except when there is a lack of applicants with PhD, in which 
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case, a master’s degree in specific area of specialization will suffice subject to 
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reasonable regulations which the CHED may impose.  Furthermore, other 
19 
equivalent professional experience, especially for practitioners of skills related 
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to an area of specialization or an allied discipline, shall be deemed equivalent 
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of the degree requirement for the purpose of hiring graduate level teachers in 
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certain instances, subject to reasonable regulations which the CHED may 
23 
impose.  
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No provision of this Act may be used as basis for diminution of pay or benefits, 
25 
demotion in rank or status, or dismissal of non-holders of professional teaching 
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license or its equivalent.  
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Sec. 6. Tenure/Permanency and Full-Time/Part-Time Status.  – As in public schools, 
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when recruitment takes place after adequate training and professional preparation 
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in any school recognized by the Government, the teachers shall be considered 
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tenured upon hiring, provided that the conditions of hiring are strictly related to 
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professional competence and the pertinent degree requirement/s have been 
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complied with.  For basic education, teachers and non-Education graduates who 
2 
have pre-LET required education units, but have yet to take or have yet to pass the 
3 
LET, shall be deemed as tenured upon satisfying the LET requirement or its 
4 
equivalent at any time within the three-year period from the date of hiring.  For 
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tertiary education and graduate level, teachers who are hired on a full-time basis are 
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considered tenured upon hiring.  
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Part-time teachers who have rendered at least one school year, two semesters, or 
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three trimesters of service, be it consecutive or not, shall have the right to signify 
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their intention to the school authorities to become a full-time, and hence, a 
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permanent teacher. 
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For basic education, all teachers shall be hired on a full-time basis.  Vocational 
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schools and senior high schools can choose to hire some part-time teachers, 
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especially practitioners of specific skills or full-time college teachers, for specific 
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instances, subject to DepEd’s regulations.  
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For tertiary education, the full-time to part-time teacher ratio shall be 7:3. 
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Sec. 7. Teachers on Probationary Period.  – Probationary employment of teachers 
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shall not exceed six months from the date the teacher started working.  The services 
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of an employee who has been engaged on a probationary basis may be terminated 
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for a just cause or when he or she fails to qualify as a regular employee in 
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accordance with reasonable standards made known by the school administration to 
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the teacher at the time of the engagement of the latter.  A teacher who is allowed to 
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work after the lapse of the probationary period shall be deemed as a regular 
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employee. 
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Sec. 8. Security of Tenure. – Teachers shall be assured of stability of employment 
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and security of tenure.  No private school teacher shall be dismissed by the school 
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except for cause and the proper observance of due process. 
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Sec. 9. Consent For Transfer. – Except for cause and as herein otherwise provided, 
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no teacher shall be transferred without their consent from one branch, station, or 
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campus to another.  However, where the exigencies of the service require the 
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transfer of a teacher form one branch, station, or campus to another, such transfer 
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may be affected by the school administration only after notifying the teacher in 
1 
writing with regard to the reasons for the transfer, at least 90 days prior to the 
2 
transfer.  If the teacher believes there is no justification for the transfer, he or she 
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cannot be compelled to transfer to any branch, station, or campus if such fact will 
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result into additional burden and expense on the part of the latter.  Acceptance of 
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notification and transfer will only be valid if it is in writing and signed by the 
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teacher. 
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Sec. 10. Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited. – There shall be no 
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discrimination whatsoever in the entrance to the teaching profession or during its 
9 
exercise or in the termination of service based on consideration other than 
10 
professional qualifications. 
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Sec. 11. Advancement and Promotion of Teachers in Basic Education.  – Subject to 
12 
necessary qualifications, teachers shall be assured opportunities to move from one 
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type or classification to a higher level or rank. 
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Promotion shall be based on objective assessment of the teacher’s qualifications for 
15 
the new post by reference to strictly professional criteria laid down in consultation 
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with teacher’s organizations existing within the school.  There shall be transparency 
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in the computation of teacher’s evaluation which is composed of the following 
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criteria the respective weights of which shall be set upon consultation with all 
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stakeholders including teachers’ organization or union: self-evaluation, student 
20 
evaluation, peer/co-faculty and staff evaluation, and administration evaluation. 
21 
Sec. 12. Ranking of Faculty Members in Higher Education. – Faculty members in 
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higher education shall be assigned academic ranks in accordance with their 
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academic training and scholarship.  Criteria for ranking shall be performance-
24 
oriented and determined in collaboration with the teachers’ organizations.  Teachers 
25 
have the right to choose what components shall bear more weight in their respective 
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situations: 
teaching/instruction, 
service/community 
engagement, 
and 
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research/scholarship. 
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A new member of the faculty in the collegiate level shall begin as an instructor, 
29 
provided that there shall be opportunities for promotion to a higher rank upon 
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hiring, if such appointed designation is warranted by his experience, training and 
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scholarship credentials. 
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Sec. 13. Academic Freedom. — Teachers shall enjoy academic freedom in the 
3 
discharge of their professional duties, particularly with regard to teaching and 
4 
classroom methods.  In particular, the concept of teachers’ academic freedom shall 
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consist of the following rights: 
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a) the teacher’s freedom in the exposition of his or her own subject and related 
7 
matters in the classroom or in speeches and publications; 
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b) the teacher’s freedom in the choice of subjects of research and investigation 
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undertaken on their own initiative; 
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c) the school authorities’ recognition that whenever the teacher is speaking or 
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writing outside of their field of study, he or she shall be entitled to the same 
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responsibility as attached to all other citizens; and 
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d) the teachers’ right to choose textbooks and other references or supplementary 
14 
instructional materials he or she deems fit to his or her particular subject or 
15 
discipline.  
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C.  Hours of Work, Remuneration, and Leaves 
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Sec. 14. Teaching Hours. – Actual classroom teaching in basic education shall not 
18 
be more than six hours a day and shall be so scheduled as to give teachers time for 
19 
the preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to normal 
20 
teaching duties, Provided, however, that where the exigencies of the service so 
21 
require, teachers may be required to render more than six hours but not exceeding 
22 
eight hours of actual classroom teaching a day upon payment of additional 
23 
compensation at the same rate as his or her regular remuneration plus at least 
24 
twenty five percent of the basic pay. 
25 
For a faculty member in higher education, his or her regular full-time load shall 
26 
not be more than twelve hours per week with two preparations in line with the 
27 
teacher’s major subject except as otherwise provided herein.  However, said teaching 
28 
load may be reduced in case a member of the faculty is occupied either in research, 
29 
creative writing, or other productive scholarship or is assigned to perform 
30 
administrative or committee work in which case the dean or director may 
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recommend the appropriate teaching load, Provided, however, that the total working 
1 
hours spent on both teaching and administrative or other duties shall not exceed 
2 
fifteen hours per week. 
3 
Sec. 15. Additional Compensation. – Notwithstanding any provision of existing law 
4 
to the contrary, teachers may be given co-curricular and off-campus activities or any 
5 
other activities beyond their normal duties that will make them work longer than 
6 
their regular workload, Provided, that they shall be paid the regular compensation for 
7 
the actual hours worked plus an additional compensation of at least twenty five 
8 
percent of their regular remuneration. 
9 
Sec. 16. Hardship Allowances. — In areas where teachers are exposed to hardship 
10 
peculiar to the place of employment such as difficulty in commuting to the place of 
11 
work, conducting laboratory experiments, or other hazards, they shall be 
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compensated with special hardship allowance equivalent to at least twenty five 
13 
percent of their monthly salary.  For laboratory subjects in college, the hardship 
14 
allowance should be automatically granted on a monthly basis.   
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Sec. 17. Criteria for Salaries. — Teacher’s salaries shall: 
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1. Reflect the importance to society of the teaching function and hence the 
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importance of teachers as well as the responsibilities of all kinds which fall 
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upon them from the time of their entry into the service; 
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2. Compare favorably with salaries paid in other occupations requiring 
20 
similar or equivalent qualifications, training, and abilities; 
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3. Provide teacher with the means to ensure a reasonable standard of life for 
22 
themselves and their families as well as to invest in further education or in 
23 
the pursuit of cultural activities, thus enhancing their professional 
24 
qualification; 
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4. Take account of the fact that certain posts require higher qualifications and 
26 
experience and carry greater responsibilities; 
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5. Be paid regularly and on time; 
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6. Be reviewed periodically to take into action such factors as a rise in the 
29 
cost of living, increased productivity leading to higher standards of life, or 
30 
a general upward movement in wage or salary levels; 
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7. Not be less than the entry-level salary of that a public school teacher, in 
1 
the case of private school teachers with an entry-level rank.  
2 
Sec. 18. Salaries Paid on Monthly Basis. – Salaries of teachers shall be paid on 
3 
monthly basis for a period of twelve months regardless of semestral or summer 
4 
vacations.  For purposes of this Section, monthly basis shall mean that teachers shall 
5 
be considered paid for all the days of the month including rest days and holidays.  
6 
Teachers who are required to work during semestral or summer vacations shall be 
7 
paid an additional compensation pro rata. 
8 
Sec. 19. Annual Salary Adjustment. – Salary scales of teachers shall be adjusted 
9 
upward annually, upon consultation with teachers’ organizations, to mitigate the 
10 
effects of inflation as measured by the consumer price index. 
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Sec. 20. Deductions Prohibited. –  No person shall make any deduction from the 
12 
salaries of teachers except under specific laws authorizing such deductions. 
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D.  Leave and Retirement Benefits 
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SEC. 21. Sick Leave. – Full-time teachers in basic education shall be entitled to an 
15 
annual sick leave with pay of fifteen working days.  Part-time teachers in basic 
16 
education shall be entitled to sick leave with pay on pro-rated basis.  Faculty 
17 
members in the collegiate level, whether full-time or part-time, shall enjoy sick leave 
18 
with pay of fifteen working days.  Unused sick leave shall be accumulated to not 
19 
more than sixty days and converted to cash upon resignation or retirement of the 
20 
teacher concerned. 
21 
Sec. 22. Vacation Leave. – Full-time teachers shall be entitled to an annual vacation 
22 
leave with full pay of fifteen days. 
23 
Sec. 23. Indefinite Leave. – An indefinite sick leave of absence shall be granted to 
24 
teachers when the nature of the illness demands a long treatment that will exceed 
25 
one year at the least. 
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Sec. 24. Emergency Leave. – In case of calamities where a teacher becomes a 
27 
victim, or in the event of death in his or her immediate family, or any serious 
28 
accident befalling him or her or a dependent, he or she shall be entitled to an 
29 
emergency leave with pay of not exceeding five days per year. 
30 
Sec. 25. Study Leave and Sabbatical Leave. – In addition to these leave privileges 
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now enjoyed by teachers in private schools, they shall be entitled to study leave not 
1 
exceeding one school year at any given year after five years of accumulated service, 
2 
consecutive, or not.  During the period of such leave, the teachers shall be entitled to 
3 
100% of their monthly salary.  All private school teachers are also entitled to avail of 
4 
a sabbatical leave—equivalent to a one-year leave—after every seven years of 
5 
accumulated service, consecutive or not.  Sabbatical leaves can be postponed as per 
6 
the request of teachers.  In all cases, the study leave and sabbatical leave period shall 
7 
be counted for seniority, promotion, and pension purposes. 
8 
Sec. 26. Other Leaves. – Subject to the guidelines to be set by DepEd and CHED in 
9 
coordination with national teachers’ organizations, private school teachers shall also 
10 
be entitled to other forms of leaves including, but not limited to the following: 
11 
rehabilitation leave, bereavement leave, short-term vacation leave, and professional 
12 
leave. 
13 
E.  Health Measures and Injury Benefits 
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Sec. 27. Medical Examination and Treatment. – Compulsory medical examination 
15 
shall be provided free for all private school teachers before their employment and 
16 
annually thereafter. 
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Where 
medical 
examination 
shows 
that 
medical 
treatment 
and/or 
18 
hospitalization is necessary for infectious diseases or injuries suffered not only 
19 
during teaching or on-campus activities but also when engaged in school related 
20 
activities away from the school premises or off-campus, the same shall be provided 
21 
free by the school concerned.  With regard to the aforementioned diseases or 
22 
injuries, the school should also shoulder 100% of professional fees for any treatment, 
23 
medication, and/or hospitalization required or recommended by medical 
24 
professionals.  
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In regions where there is scarcity of medical facilities, teachers may obtain 
26 
elsewhere the necessary medical care with the right to be reimbursed for their 
27 
travelling expenses by the private school management concerned. 
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Sec. 28. Compensation for Injuries. – Teachers shall be protected against the 
29 
consequences of employment injuries in accordance with existing laws.  The effects 
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of the physical and nervous strain on the teacher’s health shall be recognized as a 
1 
compensable disease in accordance with existing laws. 
2 
Sec. 29. Social Security. – Social security benefits of teachers shall strictly be 
3 
pursuant to applicable laws including those administered by the Social Security 
4 
System.  However, this shall be without prejudice to benefits higher than the 
5 
standards set by laws, either pursuant to policies set by school employers or 
6 
pursuant to agreements, including collective bargaining agreements entered by 
7 
school employers and teachers’ unions.  School employers shall endeavor to 
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formulate such policies and agreements towards meeting the standards of social 
9 
security set out in relevant instruments of the International Labor Organization, in 
10 
particular the Social Security Convention of 1952. 
11 
Sec. 34. De Minimis Benefits. – Private school teachers are also entitled to de 
12 
minimis benefits that include eyeglass allowance, rice allowance, clothing allowance, 
13 
wellness allowance, data packet/communications allowance, full HMO coverage for 
14 
the teacher and their spouse and their children (or parent/s from either side), and 
15 
full HMO coverage for single teachers and both parents.  Schools are highly 
16 
encouraged to provide additional de minimis benefits, beyond those listed in this 
17 
Section. 
18 
E.  Teachers’ Organizations 
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Sec. 35. Freedom to Organize. – Private school teachers shall have the right, freely 
20 
and without previous authorization, to establish and to join organizations of their 
21 
choosing, whether local or national, to further defend their economic, civil, or 
22 
political interests.  Schools where there are no faculty organizations or unions shall 
23 
allow the formation of such organizations or unions, within six months of the 
24 
implementation of this Act.  
25 
Sec. 36. Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited. – It shall be unlawful for any 
26 
person to commit any act of discrimination against teachers which are calculated: 
27 
a) To make the employment and/or promotion of the teacher subject to the 
28 
condition that he or she shall not join an organization, or shall relinquish 
29 
membership in an organization; 
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b) To cause the dismissal of, or otherwise prejudice a teacher by reason of 
1 
membership in an organization, activity outside school hours, or with the 
2 
consent of the proper school authorities within school hours; and 
3 
c) To prevent him or her from carrying out the duties imposed upon him or her 
4 
by his or her position in the organization, or to penalize him or her for an 
5 
action undertaken in that capacity. 
6 
Sec. 37. Participation in Policy Making.  – Teachers shall have the right to be 
7 
actively represented in the Governing Boards of their respective schools, colleges, 
8 
and universities and shall be consulted in the formulation of professional standards, 
9 
educational policies, and other rules affecting their rights and welfare. 
10 
Sec. 38. Strike, Picketing and Other Concerted Activities. – The right of teachers and 
11 
their organizations to conduct strikes, pickets, and other concerted activities shall 
12 
not be impaired in any manner, nor their exercise prejudice any teacher or teachers’ 
13 
organization. 
14 
F.  Final Provisions 
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Sec. 39. Teaching of the Magna Carta of Private School Teachers. – The teaching of 
16 
this Act shall be compulsory in all schools offering courses in education. 
17 
 
Sec. 40. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Education, the 
18 
Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Labor and Employment, 
19 
in consultation with teachers’ organizations, shall jointly promulgate the rules and 
20 
regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.  Rules and regulations 
21 
issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect thirty days after publication in a 
22 
newspaper of general circulation or by such other means as the Secretaries deem 
23 
reasonably sufficient to give all concerned parties general notice of such issuance. 
24 
Sec. 41. Penal Provision. – A person who willfully interferes with, restrains or 
25 
coerces any teacher in the exercise of his or her rights guaranteed by this Act or who 
26 
in any manner violates any provision of this Act or the rules duly issued hereunder 
27 
shall be punished with a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos or by 
28 
imprisonment of not more than six years, or both, in the discretion of the court. 
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This provision shall be without prejudice to the liabilities of persons under civil 
1 
laws. 
2 
Sec. 42. Administrative Sanctions. – The implementing Rules and Regulations shall 
3 
include therein the appropriate rules for the imposition of administrative sanctions 
4 
upon private schools that will violate any of the foregoing rights of a private school 
5 
teacher. 
6 
Sec. 43. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and 
7 
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
8 
accordingly. 
9 
Sec. 44. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the 
10 
remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force 
11 
and effect. 
12 
Sec. 45. Effectivity Clause. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
13 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspaper of general circulation, 
14 
whichever comes earlier. 
15 
 
Approved,