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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4776

Introduced by: HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to help former prisoners in reintegrating them back to society, enabling
them to provide for their families and become contributing citizens in the economic
growth.

When a former prisoner gets out of jail, often times, they have a hard time in finding
a job. Because of the stigma on prisoners, they have difficulty in getting the trust of
potential employers resulting to unemployment. And if they have a family to support,
they may turn into illegal activities to food on the table.

This bill will ensure that these former prisoners will have a chance for a new start in
life. They will be assisted in finding jobs and helping them until they are able to stand
‘on their own. In this manner, they will be able to support their families though legal
means and will continue on to be on the right side of the law and be productive
citizens,

In lieu of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly so


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 47°76

Introduced by: HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE FORMER PRISONERS' EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title, - This Act shall be known as "Former Prisoners’ Employment
Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to aid former
prisoners continue their reformation, and help them reintegrate into society after they
have been released from prison.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall have the meaning as indicate hereunder:

1. Business establishments refer to private companies that employ former
prisoners.

2. Committee refer to the Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former
Prisoners, under the Department of Justice.

3. Former prisoners refer to those convicted by final judgment and who have
been released on probation, parole, pardon, or after having served their
sentences,

SECTION 4. Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners.
The Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the
Department of Justice, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created
with the task of drafting provisions for the training and employment of former
prisoners.

SECTION 5. Structural and Personnel Organization. The Committee shall be
headed by a Chairman and assisted by a Vice Chairman, who shall both be appointed


by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of
Justice.

Appointees to the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman must be holders of
a doctoral / masteral degree in business or public administration and / or lawyers with
at least one year experience in penology management.

The Committee shall have a Technical Service Arm to assist it to carry out its
duties and functions.

SECTION 6. 7ax Credit. Business establishments that will employ former
prisoners upon the effectivity of this Act shall be entitled an additional deduction from
their gross income, equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount paid as
salaries and wages to former prisoners, subject to Section 4 of the National Internal
Revenue Code.

SECTION 7. The Secretary of Department of Justice and the Secretary of
Department of Labor and Employment shall, within thirty (30) days from effectivity of
this Act, issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of
the provisions of this law.

SECTION 8. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter. An initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos
(P50,000,000.000) shall be allocated for the first year of its implementation.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree, issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional the other provisions not affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in any national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,