Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Boe

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE FORMER PRISONER’S EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Society is judged not only by how well it takes care of its outstanding
citizens but by how it treats its prisoners, according to philosopher Fyodor
Dostoevsky. When offenders are released from prison, they are assumed to have
undergone the necessary rehabilitation to once again be integrated into society.

However, offenders face a variety of challenges after they are released from
prison - stigma from having been incarcerated, and discrimination, often in
employment due to deprivation in terms of education. Most of these challenges
hinder their ability to become law-abiding citizens. When they fail to become law-
abiding citizens because of these barriers, institutions need to take an active role
for greater reforms, and for second chances.

As such, prisons and correctional institutions ought to prepare offenders
for social reintegration before release. That is the philosophy of a criminal justice
system that aims to be more rehabilitative than punitive. This kind of perspective
is geared towards comprehensive crime prevention whereas the system must
include effective measures to prevent the cycle of failed adaptation by repeat
offenders.

This bill seeks to provide support to ex-offenders and ensure that they
establish productive and crime-free lives in the community through the creation
of the Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the


Department of Justice. The proposed office is directed to draft and implement
provisions and policies for the training and employment of former prisoners.

Furthermore, this bill seeks to provide incentives to private establishments
that will hire former prisoners.

To create a better community for everyone, the immediate passage of this
bill is earnestly sought.

‘VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Mletes Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

re 6044
House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE FORMER PRISONER’S 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.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to afford full
protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment
opportunities for all. Furthermore, the State recognizes the need to help former
prisoners to 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
terms shall have the meaning as indicated here under:

a. “Business establishments” refer to private companies that employ former
prisoners.

b. “Office” refers to the Office of Employment Opportunities for Former
Prisoners, under the Department of Justice.


c. “Former prisoner” refers to those convicted by final judgement and who
have been released on probation, parole, pardon, or after having served
their sentences.

SECTION 4. Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners. -
The Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the
Department of Justice, here in after referred to as the Office, is hereby created
with the task of drafting provisions for the training and employment of former
prisoners.

SECTION 5. Structural and Personnel Organization. - The Office shall be
headed by the Chairperson and assisted by a Vice Chairperson, who shall both
be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of
the Department of Justice.

Appointees to the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson must
be holders of a doctoral/master’s degree in business or public administration
and/or lawyers with at least one (1) year experience in penology management.

The Office 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. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the
Department of Justice and the Secretary of the Department of Labor and
Employment shall, within thirty (30) days from the 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 (P100,000,000.00) shall be allocated for this year of its
implementation.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation


contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. —If any provision of this act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provision 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,