Republic ofthe Philippines fl
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on
Quezon City

o 1 JUL 2013

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

AG
HOUSE BILL No._945.

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article II, Section 12 states:

EC. 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and
shall protect and strengthen the family as a bagic autonomous social
institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life
of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and
duty of parents in the rearing of the youth fdr civic efficiency and
the development of moral character shall receive the support of the
Government.”

In 1996, Republic Act No. 8187 otherwise known as the "Paternity Leave Act of
1996" was promulgated wherein a seven-day paternity leave with full pay was granted to
all married male employees in the private and public sectors. However, the law limits the
entitlement of the married male employees to the first four deliveries of his legal spouse.

This bill aims to amend Section 2 of R.A. No. 8187 to enable the husband to avail
of the paternity leave in all the deliveries of the wife. This is in recognition of the vital
role of the husband in assisting the wife during her post-delivery condition so that he can
effectively render support, care and assistance to his wife while she is recuperating and/or
nursing the newly born child.

Moreover, the bill seeks to strengthen the bond between the spouses and the
children because the more children the spouses begot, the more the wife needs the
helping hand of the husband to take care of her, the newly born and the other children
that they have

Approval of this bill is eamestly recommended.

REP.

MERCADO-REVILLA
2" District, Cavite



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGR!
First Regular Session

an
HOUSE BILL No, 945

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 2 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PATERNITY LEAVE ACT OF 1996”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. ion 2 of Republic Act No. 8187, otherwise known as the Paternity
Leave Act of 1996, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 2. Notwithstanding any law. rules and regulations to the
contrary, every married male employee in the private and public sectors
shall be entitled to a paternity leave of seven (7) days with full pay for the
[first four (4) deliveries] DELIVERY of the legitimate spouse with whom
he is cohabiting. The male employee applying for paternity leave shall
notify his employer of the pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and
the expected date of such delivery.

For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any miscarriage.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause ~ If for any reason any section or provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not effected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — Any laws, decrees, or rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or
repealed.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.