FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 818 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
, 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As enshrined in the Constitution, Article 11, Section 14, "The State 
recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the 
fundamental equality before the law of women and men." It likewise declares, 
"The State shall promote equality of employment opportunities for all." These 
State policies are elaborated in laws which give women equal legal status with 
men. 
Notwithstanding the enactment of such laws, much has to be done to 
promote women's welfare and ·status. A study conducted by the Bureau of 
Women and Young Workers and the National Statistics Office revealed that 
women employees generally earn less than their male counterparts, they are 
predominantly in low-skilled jobs, and only a few of them women advance to the 
top of the organizational hierarchy. Thus, one can see the disparities engendered 
by sexual discrimination. It is jndeed a reality that calls for a positive and 
concerted action. 
This proposed bill expands the scope of acts of discrimination by an 
employer against women as enl!merated under Art. 135 of the Labor Code, as 
amended. The amendment seeks to encourage employers to recruit and hire 
more women in the workplace thereby eliminating the big stumbling block to 
women's employability, considering that there are more equally or even more 
talented, skilled and qualified women in the country today. 
Early passage of this bill is then earnestly urged. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
.·SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 818 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLES 135 AND 137 OF THE LABOR CODE (PD 442 AS 
AMENDED) 
SO 
AS 
TO 
EXPAND 
THE 
PROHIBITED 
ACTS 
OF 
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, AGE, ETHNIC 
ORIGIN OR BELIEFS 
Be it enacted· by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 135 of the Labor Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Article 133. Discrimination prohibited. It shall be unlawful for 
any employer to discriminate against any woman employee with respect to 
terms and conditions of employment solely on account other sex. 
, 
"The following are acts of discrimination: 
"(A) 
GIVING 
PREFERENCE TO MALE APPLICANT 
OVER A FEMALE APPLICANT IN THE HIRING PROCESS, WHETHER 
THROUGH NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR ADVERTISEMENTS 
FOR EMPLOYMENT OR APPRENTICESHIP OR IN THE ACTUAL 
RECRUITMENT, HIRING OF EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS WHERE 
THE PARTICULAR JOB CAN BE EQUALLY HANDLED BY A WOMAN; 
"(B) 
[(a)] Payment of a lesser compensation, including 
wage, salary or other form of remuneration and fringe benefits, to a female 
employee as against a male employer, for equal value; [and] 
"(C) 
Favoring a male employee over a female employee 
with respect to promotion, ASSIGNMENT, training opportunities, study 
and scholarship grants solely on the account of their sexes; 
"(D) 
FAVORING A MALE EMPLOYEE OVER A FEMALE 
EMPLOYEE WITH RESPECT TO DISMISSAL OF PERSONNEL OR THE 
APPLICATION 
OF 
ANY 
RETRENCHMENT 
POLICY 
OF 
THE 
EMPLOYER SOLELY ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SEXES; 
SEC. 2. Article 137 of the Labor Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 


• 
"Art, 137. Prohibited acts. (a) It shall be unlawful for any employer: 
(1) 
xxx 
(2) 
xxx 
(3) 
xxx; 
(4) 
TO 
DENY 
ANY 
WOMAN 
THE 
BENEFITS 
OF 
EMPLOYMENT OR 
OTHER 
STATUTORY BENEFITS 
UNDER OUR LAWS BY REASON OF HER SEX, AGE, 
ETHNIC ORIGIN, BELIEFS OR RELATIONS, EITHER BY 
AFFINITY OR CONSANGUINITY." 
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 
in consultation with the Tripartite Industrial Council shall issue the rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations of, parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Separability C1al!se. - If any part or provisions of this Act shall 
be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provision hereof which are not affected 
hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. 
Approved,