EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE} 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
First Regular Session 
}
SENATE
S.B. No. 1515
I
fl( l;K
20 HAY-6 P4 ;23
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
PROVIDING LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR PRIVATE 
ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEIR OWNERS FROM 
CORONAVIRUS-RELATED CLAIMS 0R„ THEIR EMPLOYEES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines, together with the whole world, has been 
battling with COVID-19 for several months now. Thankfully, the 
local cases are declining and more and more provinces and cities 
are becoming COVID-19 free. If these positive developments 
continue, we can now anticipate the reopening of our economy. As 
part of the stimulus package of the government, businesses will be 
reopening to reinvigorate employment and spending.
Employers and private establishment owners are aware of the 
risks their returning employees will face in the workplace and their 
responsibilities to their workers as employers.
To uplift the confidence of employers to open their 
businesses, this measure is being proposed by this representation. 
This act will protect the employers from lawsuit and claims from


their employees who may contract COVID-19 in the workplace or 
in the performance of their work. However, this act is not an 
absolute blanket shield from any liability of the employer. 
Employers must observe the mandated work and community 
safety protocols issued by the Government for this law to be 
applicable.
Small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) will greatly benefit in 
this law. This will prevent the further depletion of their already 
exhausted resources in defending themselves against labor 
lawsuits in relation to COVID-19 infection of their workers.
In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
VICENTEVC. SOTTO III


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE} 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
First Regular Session 
}
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1515
20 ^AY “6 P4-23
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
PROVIDING LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR PRIVATE 
ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEIR OWNERS FROM 
CORONAVIRUS-RELATED CLAIMS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “Employer's
2 
Liability Protection from COVID-19 Act.”
3 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Polf(iy. - It is the policy of the
4 
State to encourage private enterprises and support businesses,
5 
especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, by protecting
6 
businesses from coronavirus-related claims from their employees.
7 
SECTION 3. Liability Protection for Private
8 
Establishments. - No private establishment authorized by the
9 
government to operate during the coronavirus disease 2019
10 
(COVID-19) outbreak shall be liable to any claims made by its
11 
employees by reason of the latter being infected with the COVID-
12 
19 virus while working. Provided that the private establishment


1 
has fully complied with the relevant laws, rules and regulations,
2 
policies, guidelines and such other government issuances relative
3 
to the prevention, spread, and management of the COVID-19
4 
2019.
5 
The liability protection shall extend to the registered owner of
6 
the private establishment and its officers.
7 
SECTION 4. Exception. - The liability protection mentioned
8 
in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply if the act
9 
committed constitutes a crime.
10 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - In case any provision of
11 
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration
12 
shall have no effect in the validity or constitutionality of the
13 
remaining provisions hereof.
14 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and
15 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
16 
repealed or amended accordingly.
17 
SECTION 8. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen
18 
(15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper
19 
of general circulation.
Approved,