2sth Congress OF the Republic) 
of the Philippines 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Studies show that former prisoners have a slimmer chance of being 
employed after their release. Most, if not all employers, are reluctant to hire 
former prisoners, because 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 rules and regulations for the training and employment of former 
prisoners. . 
The immediate passage of this bill is ea estly requested. 
&& 
Lr- 
AQU~LINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR. 


73‘h Congress of the Republic) 
of the Philippines 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
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 
SECTION 1. Title. - 
This Act shall be known as the “Former Prisoners’ 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Employment Act of 2006.” 
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 
1, Business establishments refer to private companies that employ former 
prisoners.. 
2. Committee refers 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. 
terms shall have the meaning as indicated hereunder: 
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 I masteral degree in business or public administration and I 
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. Tax Credit. Business establishments that will employ former 
prisoners upon the effectivity of this Act, shall be entitled to 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. Appropriations. 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 one 
hundred million pesos (P100,000,000), shall be allocated for the first year of its 
implementation. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, issuance, 
executive order, fetter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION I O .  Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days following its complete publication in any national newspaper of general 
circulation or in the Official Gazette. 
Approved,