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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES , } 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas 
Filipinos Act of 1995 was enacted to ostensibly protect and promote the welfare of 
migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress. 
Over a decade after its enactment, RA 8042 has not lived up to its intended 
purpose'. Filipinos abroad continue to suffer under abusive employers, inhuman working 
conditions, and various human rights violations. Every time a Filipino encounters 
problems he/she seeks assistance from various posts abroad but some concerned 
officials feign helplessness. Unfortunately, the law does not chastise or penalize any 
government official in the consular, labor and welfare services who fails or refuses to 
give assistance to Filipino migrants. 
This bill seeks to impose penalties on Philippine consular officials and other 
government personnel for failure to act on complaints of, or to give assistance or render 
service to migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress, amending 
for the purpose the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995." 
It is hoped that instituting penalties for errant government officials posted abroad 
shall ensure their adherence to their duties and responsibilities. This bill also aims to 
give our compatriots some assurance that their fundamental rights and freedoms shall 
not at anytime be compromised or violated. 
Approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
Second Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT IMPOSING PENALTIES ON PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OFFICIALS AND 
OTHER GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO OVERSEAS POSTS FOR 
FAILURE TO ACT ON COMPLAINTS OF, GIVE ASSISTANCE TO OR RENDER 
SERVICES TO MIGRANT WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS 
FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE "MIGRANT 
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 8042 entitled the "Migrant Workers and Overseas 
Filipinos Act of 1995" is hereby amended by adding a new section after Section 24 to be 
stated as Section 24-A to read as follows: 
"SECTION. 24-A. PENALTIES.- WITHOUT PREDUDICE TO THE FILING OF 
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT/S, PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OFFICIALS AND OTHER 
GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL WHO FAIL OR REFUSE TO RENDER THE SERVlCElS 
AND/OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN TITLES 111, IV AND V OF THIS ACT SHALL, 
AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, AND IF FOUND GUILTY, BE PUNISHED WITH 
SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE 0F.NOT LESS THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS TO 
DISMISSAL FROM THE SERVICE WITH FORFEITURE OF RETIREMENT AND 
OTHER BENEFITS DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THEIR OFFENSES, AND 
SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN 
THE FUTURE. 
FOR THIS PURPOSE, CONGRESS, IN COORDINATION WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND 
EMPLOYMENT, 
SHALL 
FORMULATE 
THE 
NECESSARY 
RULES 
AND 
PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SUCH HEARINGIS AND IMPOSITION OF 
APPROPRIATE PENALTIES." 
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect immediately upon approval. 
Approved,