Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4748

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has heralded itself as a beacon of social justice and labor
rights. Its Constitution embodies the spirit and principles of a just society
affording full protection to labor and promoting full employment
opportunities for all.

Among the advancements of labor within the Philippines was manifested in
the enactment of Republic Act 8187 or the Paternity Leave Act in 1996. It
granted paternity leave to all married male employees in the private and
public sectors, regardless of their employment status. This has allowed the
husband to lend support to his wife during the period of recovery and the
nursing of the newborn child.

The law allows paternity leave for seven (7) days with full pay, applicable to
the first four (4) deliveries of the husband-employee’s lawful wife with whom
he is cohabiting.

This Bill seeks to lengthen the duration of paternity leave to fifteen (15)
days. The said extension intends to give the father a better opportunity in
rendering support and affection to both his wife and newly born child. It
would also help in the speedy recovery of the wife from the delivery of the
child.

The approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

REP. JOHNNY T.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4748

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

AN ACT
AN INCREASING THE PATERNITY LEAVE FROM SEVEN (7)
DAYS TO FIFTEEN (15) DAYS, AMENDING FOR THIS
PURPOSE SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE PATERNITY LEAVE ACT OF
1996”

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

Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8187, otherwise known as “The
Paternity Leave Act of 1996” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any law, rules and regulations to the contrary,
every married male employee in the private and public sectors shall be entitled
to a paternity leave of [seven (7)] FIFTEEN (15) days with full pay for [the first
four (4) deliveries] ALL DELIVERIES of the legitimate spouse with whom he is
cohabiting. The male employee applying for paternity leave shall notify his
employer of the pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and the expected date of
such delivery.”

For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any
miscarriage.”

Sec. 2. Section 3, of the same act, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 3. Definition of Term. - For purposes of this Act, Paternity Leave
refers to the benefits granted to a married male employee allowing him not to
report for work for [seven (7)] FIFTEEN (15) days but continues to earn the
compensation therefor, on the condition that his spouse has delivered a child


or suffered a miscarriage for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend
support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the
newly-born child. PROVIDED THAT, SAID LEAVE SHALL BE AVAILED OF
NOT LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS AFTER THE DATE
OF THE CHILD’S DELIVERY”

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders and issuances, or any
part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least one newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,