":;F.i\IATE 
1')1'#'11:;" 0>' ,HI'. SECRE'fAI'tV 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
, 
~
--
: , ~1v ' 
--------------------------------'-'---,~"?"--.-.. ~.- ". 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
Studies show that former prisoners have a slimmer chance of being employed after their 
release. Most, if not aU employers, are reluctant to hire former prisoners, becanse of their 
criminal past. This makes it difficult for former prisoners to reform and reintegrate into the 
society. 
This bill seeks to provide incentives to private establishments hiring inmates. It proposes 
an additional deduction from the gross income, equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total 
amount paid as salaries and wages to former prisoners, to be given to business establishments 
employing former prisoners. It also seeks to create a Committee on Employment Opportunities 
for Former Prisoners under the Department of Justice, which is tasked to draft the implementing 
mles and regulations for the training and employment of fotmer prisoners. 
This bill was originally filed by Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. during the Fourteenth 
Congress. 
1 


srf\jl~YE 
~ 
Of 'ai[ SE"RETAf'iV 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATp 
S, No. i;!'l24 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
2 
INSTITUTING THE FORMER PRISONERS' EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, AND 
3 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
4 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
5 
assembled: 
, 
6 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Former Prisoners' 
7 
Employment Act" 
8 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to aid former prisoners 
9 
continue their reformation, and help them reintegrate into society after they have been released 
10 
from prison. 
II 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the term: 
12 
(A) "Business establishments" means private companies that employ former prisoners; 
13 
(B) "Committee" means the Committee on Employment Opportunities for Fonner 
14 
Prisoners, under the Department of Justice; 
15 
(C) "Former prisoners refer to those convicted by final judgment and who have been 
16 
released on probation, parole, pardon, or after having served their sentences. 
17 
SECTION 4. Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners. - The 
18 
Committee on Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the Department of Justice, 
19 
hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created with the task of drafting provisions for 
20 
the training and employment of former prisoners. 
21 
SECTION 5. Structural and Personnel Organization. - The Committee shall be headed 
22 
by a Chairman and assisted by a Vice Chairman, who shall both be appointed by the President, 
23 
upon the recommendation ofthe Secretary of the Department of Justice. 
I 


• 
• 
1 
Appointees to the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman must be holders of a 
2 
doctoral / masteral degree in business or public administration and I or lawyers with at least one 
3 
year experience in penology management. 
4 
The Committee shall have a Technical Service Arm to assist it to carry out its duties and 
5 
functions. 
6 
SECTION 6. TI1JC Credit -. Business establishments that will employ former prisoners 
7 
upon the effectivity of this Act, shall be entitled to an additional deduction from their gross 
8 
income, equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to 
9 
former prisoners, subject to Chapter IV of the National Internal Revenue Code. 
10 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of Department of 
II 
Justice and the Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment shall, within thirty (30) days 
12 
from effectivity of this Act, issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper 
13 
implementation ofthe provisions of this law. 
14 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
15 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into 
16' law and thereafter. An initial amount of one hundred million pesos (PIOO,OOO,OOO), shall be 
17 
allocated for the first year of its implementation. 
18 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
19 
unconstitutiorial, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
20 
valid and subsisting. 
21 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
22 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
23 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
24 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
25 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
26 
Approved, 
2