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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 4128

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

The 1987 Constitution mandates both gender equality and the protection of
working women. Article Il, Section 14 recognizes “the role of women in nation-
building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and
men." This is further detailed in Article XIII, Section 14, which requires the State to
“protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions...and
such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to
realize their full potential.”

Despite these clear mandates, women remain _ significantly
underrepresented in the Philippine National Police (PNP). However, their
performance as law enforcement officers has consistently shown they are not only
equal to their male counterparts but also bring unique skills and perspectives
essential for a more effective and responsive police force. Women's presence in
the PNP is crucial for handling sensitive cases, such as those involving women and
children, and for building community trust.

This bill seeks to address this gender disparity by amending Republic Act
No. 8551, the "Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998."
It introduces a structured, phased approach to increasing female representation
within the PNP. The measure mandates a gradual increase in the annual
recruitment quota for women, reserving 25% for them within five years of the law's
effectivity and progressively increasing this to 50% ten years thereafter. This
legislative action will not only ensure gender equality but also enhance the
professionalism and effectiveness of our police force by leveraging the full potential
of alll its members.

This bill is a refiled version of a measure introduced in the 19th Congress
by several esteemed members of both the House of Representatives and the
Senate, including Representatives Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Rufus Rodriguez,
Joseph Gilbert Violago, Ma. Cynthia Chan, Marie Bemadette Escudero, and
Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., Ronald Dela Rosa, and Jinggoy Estrada.

RECEIVED
DATE 26 AUG 15

TIME + 3 fe &



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In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure
is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4128

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

AN ACT
INCREASING THE RECRUITMENT QUOTA REQUIREMENT OF
FEMALE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) OFFICERS, AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title Vil of Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the
"Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998”, is hereby
amended to read as follows:

TITLE Vil
[CREATION OF WOMEN'S DESKS IN ALL POLICE
STATIONS] PRIORITIZATION OF WOMEN'S
RECRUITMENT AND THE FORMULATION OF A GENDER
SENSITIVITY PROGRAM

SECTION 2. Section 57 of Republic Act No. 8551 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Sec. 57. [Creation and Functions.] Prioritization of Women
for Recruitment. - [The PNP shall establish women's desks in
all police stations throughout the country to administer and
attend to cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual
harassment, abuses committed against women and children
and other similar offenses: Provided, That municipalities and
cities presently without policewomen will have two (2) years
upon the effectivity of this Act within which to comply with
the requirement of this provision.] WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE (5)
YEARS, THE PNP SHALL PRIORITIZE THE RECRUITMENT


AND TRAINING OF WOMEN. PURSUANT TO THIS
REQUIREMENT, THE PNP SHALL RESERVE TWENTY-
FIVE PERCENT (25%) OF ITS ANNUAL RECRUITMENT,
TRAINING, AND EDUCATION QUOTA FOR
WOMEN: PROVIDED, THAT THE RECRUITMENT QUOTA
FOR WOMEN SHALL BE INCREASED PROGRESSIVELY
UNTIL IT REACHES FIFTY PERCENT (50%) TEN YEARS.
THEREAFTER."

SECTION 3. Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8551 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Sec. 58. [Prioritization of Women for Recruitment.] CREATION
OF WOMEN’S DESKS. - [Within the next five (5) years, the
PNP shall prioritize the recruitment and training of women who
shall serve in the women's desk. Pursuant to this requirement,
the PNP shall reserve ten percent (10%) of its annual
recruitment, training, and education quota for women.] THE
PNP SHALL ESTABLISH WOMEN'S DESKS IN ALL POLICE
STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO
ADMINISTER AND ATTEND TO CASES INVOLVING
CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, SEXUAL HARASSMENT,
ABUSES COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN
AND OTHER SIMILAR OFFENSES.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the National Police Commission in coordination with
the PNP, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the
Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) shall formulate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the sections or provisions which are not
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules,
regulations, other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,