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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
7 
-2 
Pt! 1 3 i 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 3 7 8 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As enshrined in the Constitution, Article II, Section 14, “The State 
recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the 
fundamental equality before the law of women and men.” It likewise declares, 
“The State shall promote equality of employment opportunities for all.” These 
State policies are elaborated in laws which give women equal legal status with 
men. 
Notwithstanding the enactment of such 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, they are 
predominantly in low-skilled jobs, and only a few of them women advance to the 
top of the organizational hierarchy. Thus, one can see the disparities engendered 
by sexual discrimination. It is indeed a reality that calls for a positive and 
concerted action. 
This proposed bill expands the scope of acts of discrimination by an 
employer against women as enumerated under Art. 135 of the Labor Code, as 
amended. 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, considering that there are more equally or even more 
talented, skilled and qualified women in the country today. 
Early passage of this bill is then earnestly urged. 
M G G O k  EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 J ~ L  
-2 
pi: ::i 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 378 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLES 135 AND 137 OF THE LABOR CODE (PD 442 AS 
AMENDED) 
SO 
AS 
TO 
EXPAND 
THE 
PROHIBITED 
ACTS 
OF 
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, AGE, ETHNIC 
ORIGIN OR BELIEFS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Article 135 of the Labor Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Article 133. 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 other sex. 
"The following are acts of discriminatidn: 
"(A) 
GIVING PREFERENCE TO MALE APPLICANT OVER A 
FEMALE APPLICANT IN THE HIRING PROCESS, WHETHER THROUGH 
NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR ADVERTISEMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT 
OR APPRENTICESHIP OR IN THE ACTUAL RECRUITMENT, HIRING OF 
EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS WHERE THE PARTICULAR JOB CAN BE 
EQUALLY HANDLED BY A WOMAN; 
[(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 employer, for equal value; [and] 
Favoring a male employee over a female employee with 
respect to promotion, ASSIGNMENT, training opportunities, study and 
scholarship grants solely on the account of their sexes; 
"(B) 
"(C) 
"(D) 
FAVORING A MALE EMPLOYEE OVER A FEMALE 
EMPLOYEE WITH RESPECT TO DISMISSAL OF PERSONNEL OR THE 
APPLICATION OF ANY RETRENCHMENT POLICY OF THE EMPLOYER 
SOLELY ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SEXES; 
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: 


xxx 
xxx 
xxx: 
TO 
DENY 
ANY 
WOMAN 
THE 
BENEFITS 
OF 
EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER STATUTORY BENEFITS 
UNDER OUR LAWS BY REASON OF HER SEX, AGE, 
ETHNIC ORIGIN, BELIEFS OR RELATIONS, EITHER BY 
AFFINITY OR CON$ANGUINITY.” 
SEC. 3. lmplementing Rules and Regulations. -Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 
in consultation with the Tripartite Industrial Council shall issue the rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations of parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provisions of this Act shall 
be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provision hereof which are not affected 
hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. 
Approved,