Sel1l1h .. 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
SEP -4 l\ r; :17 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
1505 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 ofthis bill is earnestly requested. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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'13 
SEP -4 1\ 9 :17 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1505 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 the "Former Prisoners' 
Employment Act of 2013". 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to aid former prisoners 
to continue their reformation, and help them reintegrate into society after they 
have been released from prison. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
have the meaning as indicated hereunder: 
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. 
SEC 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. 
SEC 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 or masteral degree in business or public administration and I or lawyers 
with at least one (1) year experience in penology management. 
The Committee shall have a Technical Service Arm to assist it to carry out its 
duties and functions. 
SEC 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. 
SEC 7. The Secretary of the Department of Justice and the Secretary of the 
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. 
SEC 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 (P100,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the first year of its 
implementation. 
SEC 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 is hereby repealed, modified, or 
amended accordingly. 
SEC 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
SEC 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,