Phillawsonwomen

Running head: PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN
Philippine Laws on Women

Raymund Christopher R. dela Pea
Saint Louis University
PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

Filipino women have gained a lot of ground in becoming productive, valued members
and leaders of key sectors in Philippine society. Despite this, women continue to face challenges
and conditions that discriminate against them and threaten their safety and well-being. Laws are
powerful medium by which women can be empowered. In the light of Womens Month this
March, a compilation on existing laws on women in the Republic of the Philippines is presented
and discussed on this paper.
1. Republic Act No. 10354
The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No.
10354), informally known as the Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, is a law in the
Philippines, which guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control,
sexual education, and maternal care.
While there is general agreement about its provisions on maternal and child health, there is
great debate on its mandate that the Philippine government and the private sector will fund and
undertake widespread distribution of family planning devices such as condoms, birth control
pills, and IUDs, as the government continues to disseminate information on their use through all
health care centers.
Passage of the legislation was controversial and highly divisive, with experts, academics,
religious institutions, and major political figures declaring their support or opposition while it
was pending in the legislature. Heated debates and rallies both supporting and opposing the RH
Bill took place nationwide.
The Supreme Court delayed implementation of the law in March 2013 in response to
challenges. On April 8, 2014, the Court ruled that the law was "not unconstitutional" but struck
down eight provisions partially or in full.

The bill mandates the government to promote, without biases, all effective natural and
modern methods of family planning that are medically safe and legal.
Summary of major provisions:
-
Although abortion is recognized as illegal and punishable by law, the bill states that the
government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications
shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

The bill calls for a multi-dimensional approach integrates a component of family
planning and responsible parenthood into all government anti-poverty programs. Ageappropriate reproductive health and sexuality education is required from grade five to
fourth year high school using life-skills and other approaches.

The bill also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to guarantee the
reproductive health rights of its female employees. Companies with fewer than 200
workers are required to enter into partnership with health care providers in their area for
the delivery of reproductive health services.

Employers with more than 200 employees shall provide reproductive health services to
all employees in their own respective health facilities. Those with less than 200 workers
shall enter into partnerships with health professionals for the delivery of reproductive
health services. Employers shall inform employees of the availability of family planning.
They are also obliged to monitor pregnant working employees among their workforce
and ensure they are provided paid half-day prenatal medical leaves for each month of the
pregnancy period that they are employed.

The national government and local governments will ensure the availability of
reproductive health care services like family planning and prenatal care.
Any person or public official who prohibits or restricts the delivery of legal and
medically safe reproductive health care services will be meted penalty by imprisonment
or a fine (Wikipedia, n.d.).

The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act,
known as the RH Bill, strikes down some longstanding barriers for womens access to sexual and
reproductive health care, including access to natural and modern contraception and reproductive
health information for adults. This law is an important step toward protecting womens rights to
reproductive health.
The right to enjoy reproductive health is related to having healthy children and grown-ups,
and happy relationships and families. RH encompasses key areas that every child is wanted,
every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV and every girl and woman is treated with
dignity and respect.
Reproductive health for women is important because women face health problems in relation
to their reproductive system that could cause maternal mortality. They face complications during
pregnancy and childbirth and are more prone to risks while preventing unplanned pregnancies,
unsafe abortions, and reproductive tract infections and in using contraception.
The Republic Act No. 7305 or The Magna Carta of Public Health Workers" which was
approved on March 26, 1992 grants additional benefits to public health workers which the
majority of whom are women. It aims to promote the social and economic well-being of health
workers and to develop their skills and capabilities. It also allows public health worker couples to
be employed or assigned in the same municipality, thereby ensuring that married female public
health workers are not forced to choose between family and career.
This law defines and sets the standards and terms of employment of a public health worker,
including rights, hours of work, and compensation and benefits. Section 9 specifically prohibits

discrimination against a public health worker with regard to gender, civil status, creed, religious
or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the exercise of his/her profession.
However, Antonio (2013) pointed out some observations on this law. He noted that the
Republic Act No. 7305 mandates the payment of additional cash incentives and allowances to
health workers. However, implementation of this provision has been uneven in the two decades
since it was passed into law. Not all government agencies are implementing the law nor is it
being fully implemented among agencies that have adopted the legislation due to insufficiency of
funds. Further compounding the issue is the confusion as to who constitutes public health
workers and, therefore, who are entitled to its benefits, resulting to a perception that it has
become a milking cow of some public health workers. Finally, monitoring of policy
implementation has been generally weak.
In June 2, 1992, the Republic Act No. 7600 was enacted to provide incentives to
all government and private health institutions with rooming-in and breastfeeding practices. This
act is also known as "The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992". This law is "An Act
Providing Incentives to All Government and Private Health Institutions With Rooming-In and
Breastfeeding Practices and for Other Purposes".
This Act provides an environment where basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs
of mothers and infants immediately after birth are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in
and breastfeeding. This law is in furtherance of the State policy to encourage the practice of
breastfeeding. Notably, it provides that the expenses incurred by a private health institution in
complying with its provisions are deductible expenses for income tax purposes. Also,

government health institutions are given additional appropriations equivalent to the savings they
may derive as a result of complying with the provisions of this law.
Domdom (2012) highlighted that this law served as the legal basis for the Mother-Baby
Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI). The law says that newborn infants delivered normally
should be placed on the mothers breast immediately after birth and roomed-in within 30
minutes. If the infant was delivered by Caesarian section, the infant should be breast-fed and
roomed-in within three to four hours after delivery.
Republic Act No. 7688 which was approved by President Fidel V. Ramos on March 3, 1994,
is an "An Act Giving Representation to Women in the Social Security Commission, Amending for
the Purpose Section 3(a) of Republic Act No. 1161, As Amended" . More specifically, this Act
provides that of the seven appointive members of the commission, at least two shall be women.
Of these seven appointive members, three shall come from the labor sector, and at least one of
them shall be a woman; three shall come from the management sector and at least one of them
shall be a woman; and one shall come from the general public.

Republic Act No. 7875 as approved by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 14, 1995, is
known as the "National Health Insurance Act of 1995". It is "An Act Instituting a National

Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation for the Purpose".
The NHI Law establishes the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which
institutes a National Health Insurance Program for all Filipinos and creates the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation and the National Health Insurance Fund. It also aims to improve the
implementation and coverage of the old Medicare program by including the self-employed and
the poor who cannot otherwise avail of health insurance.
Significantly, section 2 of this Republic Act recognizes that priority should be given to the
needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, and that free medical
care should be given to paupers.
Also known as the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 the Republic Act No. 8353, is a landmark
legislation for Filipino women because it provided for a broader definition of the crime of rape
and reclassifying it from a Crime Against Chastity to a Crime Against Persons. It was signed into
law by President Fidel V. Ramos on September 30, 1997, and became Article 266-A to 266-D
under Crimes Against Persons (Title Eight) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines on
October 22, 1997. "An Act Expanding the Definition of the Crime of Rape, Reclassifying the
Same as a Crime Against Persons, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, as Amended,
Otherwise Known as the Revised Penal Code, and for Other Purposes" (Also known as the
"Anti-Rape Law of 1997"). This reclassifies rape from a "crime against chastity" to a "crime
against persons."

The crime of rape, under the old provisions of the Revised Penal Code, was considered a
"Crime Against Chastity," implying that only "virtuous" or "chaste" women can be victims of
rape. More emphasis was placed on the "loss of chastity" of a woman or the denigration of her
"value" and the staining of her honor, rather than a violation of her being. It was considered a
private crime, and only the injured party or specific family members could file a complaint
against the perpetrator. Even then, most rape survivor-victims kept quiet about their violation,
because prosecution of the case leads to embarrassment, as the defense-respondents often sought
to prove that the victim was not "chaste"--thus no rape occurred.
As of 2006, Rape continued to be a problem, with most cases going unreported. During
the year, the PNP reported 685 rape cases. There were reports of rape and sexual abuse of women
in police or protective custodyoften women from marginalized groups, such as suspected
prostitutes, drug users, and lower income individuals arrested for minor crimes. The situation
continued in 2007, with the number of reported rape cases increasing to 879 (Wikipedia, 2013).
It broadened the definition of the crime of rape, made marital rape punishable, and provided
certain circumstances wherein rape was considered a heinous crime meriting the death penalty.
Republic Act No. 8505, known as the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998, is
an "An Act Providing Assistance and Protection for Rape Victims, Establishing for the Purpose a
Rape Crisis Center in Every Province and City, Authorizing the Appropriation of Funds
Therefor, and for Other Purposes".
This Republic Act directs the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),

the Department of Justice (DOJ), and a lead non-government organization to establish in every
province and city a Rape Crisis Center located in a government hospital, health clinic or any
suitable place. It was approved by President Fidel V. Ramos on 13 February 1998.
The Philippine Commission on Women (1999) stated that due to cultural and social
stigmatization associated with rape, many women victims prefer to maintain their silence and
not report their ordeal to the authorities. But through the provision of suitable legal support
and health services, it is hoped that women victims of rape be encouraged to come forward
for proper intervention and justice to be served accordingly.
Known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, amended
certain provisions of Republic Act No. 6975 the Republic Act No. 8551is entitled "An Act
Providing for the Reform and Reorganization of the Philippine National Police and for Other
Purposes, Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act Numbered Sixty-Nine Hundred and
Seventy-Five Entitled, 'An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under a ReOrganized Department of the Interior and Local Government, and for Other Purposes'"
It created the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP and provided for the creation of Women's
Desks in all police stations throughout the country.
The Women's Desks of the Philippine National Police was established by virtue of Republic
Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization
Act of 1998, to administer and attend to cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual
harassment, abuses committed against women and children and other similar offenses.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 8551, mandating the establishment of Women's Desks in all
police stations, a total of 1,669 Women and Children's Desks have been established as of 2001,
manned by 2,259 PNP personnel. On March 9, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Philippine National Police
(PNP) to expedite the recruitment of 400 new policewomen or "lady cops" to strengthen the
Womens Desk in the countrys police stations (Wikipilipinas, n.d.).
Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003," is
An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate the Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and
Minors, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanism for the Protection and Support of
Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for its Violations, and Other Purposes"
It provided for the establishment of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking tasked to
monitor the implementation of, and compliance with, the Act. It defines the various acts and
other forms of trafficking in persons, considers such acts as crimes against persons, and imposes
stiffer penalties and sanctions. Furthermore, it entitles victims to privacy rights, legal protection,
and witness protection programs.
Wikipedia (2013) cited that the Vatican stated that the Philippines has a serious trafficking
problem of women and children illegally recruited into the tourist industry for sexual
exploitation. Destinations within the country are Metro Manila, Angeles City, Olongapo City,
towns in Bulacan, Batangas, Cebu City, Davao and Cagayan de Oro City and other sex tourist
resorts such as Puerto Galera, which is notorious, Pagsanjan, Laguna, San Fernando Pampanga,
and many beach resorts throughout the country.

The United Nations General Assembly defines "violence against women" as "any act of
gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,
whether occurring in public or in private life." The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence Against Women noted that this violence could be perpetrated by assailants of either
gender, family members and even the "State" itself (Wikipedia, n.d.)
Cited as Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, the Republic Act No.
9262 is "An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children, Providing for Protective
Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes"
This republic act also establishes an Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and
Their Children tasked to formulate programs to eliminate such acts of violence, as well as to
develop capability programs for their employees to become more sensitive to their client's needs.
It also recognizes battered woman syndrome as a valid defense, notwithstanding the absence of
any of the elements for justifying circumstances of self-defense.
11. Presidential Decree No. 148
"Amending Further Certain Sections of Republic Act Numbered Six Hundred Seventy-Nine
as Amended, Commonly Known as The Woman and Child Labor Law"
Presidential Decree No. 148, issued on March 13, 1973 by President Ferdinand Marcos, is a
presidential decree amending certain sections of Republic Act No. 679, or the Woman and Child
Labor Law, which was repealed by Presidential Decree No. 442, the Labor Code of the

Philippines, on May 1, 1974. Parts of this decree, however, were incorporated into the Labor
Code.
The Labor force; female (% of total labor force) in Philippines was last reported at 38.80
in 2010, according to a World Bank report published in 2012. Female labor force as a percentage
of the total, show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises
people ages 15 and older who meet the International Labor Organization's definition of the
economically active population. (Trading Economics, n.d.).
Taking effect on June 16, 1951, the Republic Act No. 1564 is an act that amended
Commonwealth Act No. 647 which is "An Act Granting Maternity Leave to Women in
Government Service Under Temporary Appointments Who Have Rendered Less Than Two Years
of Service, by Amending Commonwealth Act Numbered Six Hundred and Forty-Seven as
Amended".
Maternity leave is very important to mothers. Melnick (2011) stressed that women with
3-month-old infants who worked full time reported feeling greater rates of depression, stress,
poor health and overall family stress than mothers who were able to stay home (either because
they didnt have a job or because they were on maternity leave).

"An Act to Establish in the Department of Labor a Bureau to be Known as Women and
Minors Bureau". Republic Act No. 2714 is an Act that provides for the creation of the Women

and Minors Bureau in the Department of Labor under the executive authority of a Director, and
granting the powers and duties of the bureau. Under this Act, the Women and Minors Division of
the Bureau of Labor Standards is abolished and its functions, records, equipment, funds and
personnel are transferred to the new Women and Minors Bureau. This Republic Act was
approved on June 18, 1960.
As approved on June 19, 1971, the Republic Act No. 6237 is "An Act Further Amending
Republic Act Numbered Six Hundred Seventy-Nine, as Amended by Republic Act Numbered
Eleven Hundred Thirty-One. The Republic Act No. 679, is also known as the Woman and Child
Labor Law.
Republic Act No. 6657 is also known as the "Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of
1988". It was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino on June 10, 1988. "An Act Instituting
a Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to Promote Social Justice and Industrialization
Providing the Mechanism for Its Implementation, and for Other Purposes". This act guarantees
and assures equal rights to land ownership, equal share on farm produce and representation in
advisory or appropriate decision-making bodies to qualified women.
This Republic Act provides for the creation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP). It provides for a system of acquisition of lands and compensation therefor,
identifies the qualified beneficiaries, sets retention limits for landowners and also defines the
parameters for the redistribution of lands to qualified beneficiaries.

The CARP provides for special areas on concern in its Chapter X. Among these special
areas, to be given due consideration in the distribution and ownership of land and representation
in decision-making bodies, are subsistence fishermen, veterans and retirees, agriculture
graduates, and rural women.
Republic Act No. 6725, approved on May 12, 1989, is an act "An Act Strengthening the
Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women With Respect to Terms and Conditions of
Employment, Amending for the Purpose Article One Hundred Thirty-Five of the Labor Code, as
Amended". This act strengthens the prohibition of discrimination against women in employment,
promotion and training opportunities.
Sexual discrimination against women in the workplace has been making news headlines
for years, but the historys largest civil rights lawsuit has just been certified that has the potential
to change the job environment for all women. The Courts and legal practitiones should remain
vigilant that the magna carta and treaties for protection of women against sexual discrimination
in the workplace is implemented in accordance with the visions and spirit of the laws (Dillomes,
2011).
This Act increases maternity benefits of women workers in the private sector from a 45day to 60-day benefit equivalent.
"An Act Increasing Maternity Benefits in Favor of Women Workers in the Private Sector,
Amending for the Purpose Section 14-A of Republic Act No. 1161, as Amended, and for Other
Purposes"

Republic Act No. 7322, signed by President Corazon Aquino on March 3, 1992, which
also states that the benefits provided for in the act does not diminish the existing benefits already
provided for in existing laws and private agreements.
This provides assistance to women, particularly those who own small businesses and
those who have proven themselves to have good track records in their respective businesses, in
order to fully harness the talents and skills of our female labor force. "An Act Providing
Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for Other
Purposes"
Republic Act No. 7822, approved on February 20, 1995, is an act providing for assistance
to Filipino women who are engaged in micro and cottage enterprises. It covers all women who
are citizens of the Philippines and at least 18 years of age, regardless of civil status. It gives those
women who are engaged in business in the micro and cottage industries, as well as those women
who are certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to
have engaged in the appropriate training and are qualified to engaged in the said industries,
priority in obtaining loans from government financing institutions for the purchase of equipment,
tools and materials for their business. The Act prohibits the mortgage or encumbrance of such
equipment procured through the loan while the loan is not yet fully paid, and also prohibits
refusal or delay, without justifiable cause, in granting the loans, providing penalties for the
violations of these prohibitions.

This Act states that although it is the policy of the State not to promote overseas
employment as a means for sustaining economic growth and national development, it recognizes
the contributions of overseas workers to the economy and provides for more protection and
assistance for migrant workers and overseas Filipinos. It expands the definition of illegal
recruitment so that even a licensee may be liable for illegal recruitment, and gives the
government the power to place a ban on the deployment of migrant workers when national
interest or public welfare warrants.
It also expressly provides that the date of its approval by the President, June 7, 1995, will
be celebrated as Migrant Workers Day.
"An Act to Institute the Policies of Overseas Employment and Establish a Higher
Standard of Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and
Overseas Filipinos in Distress, and Other Purposes"
This Act authorizes the granting of small loans to women for the purchase of necessary
tools or equipment for the businesses of their choice, and provides free technical training under
the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC), now TESDA.
This Republic Act expressly calls for gender-sensitivity in the formulation and
interpretation of policies affecting migrant workers, and recognizes the equality of women and
men before the law, the contributions of women migrant workers, and the significant role of
women in nation-building. It mandates that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Boards should each have a member from the
women's sector, and that at least one of the two sectoral representatives of migrant workers in
Congress should come from the women's sector (Wikipedia, n.d.).

This Act allows every married male employee in the private and public sectors to not
work for seven days but continue to earn compensation on the condition that his legitimate
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 newlyborn child.
"An Act Granting Paternity Leave of Seven (7) Days With Full Pay to All Married
Employees in the Private and Public Sectors for the First Four (4) Deliveries of the Legitimate
Spouse With Whom He is Cohabiting and for Other Purposes" (Also known as the Paternity
Leave Act of 1996)
Under this law, "delivery" does not only mean that the employee's spouse has given birth.
It also covers the instance where the employee's spouse has suffered a miscarriage. Significantly,
the purpose of this law is to enable the male employee "to effectively lend support to his wife in
her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly-born child" (Wikipedia, n.d.).
21. Executive Order No. 209
The Family Code of the Philippines, or Executive Order No. 209, was enacted into law
by President Corazon C. Aquino on July 6, 1987. It was intended to supplant Book I of the Civil
Code of the Philippines concerning persons and family relations. The work on the provisions of
the Family Code began as early as 1979, and had been drafted by two (2) successive committees,
the first committee was headed by Supreme Court Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, and the second
was chaired by Supreme Court Justice J.B.L. Reyes. The need was seen to amend the Civil Code
through the Family Code in order to, among others, change certain provisions implanted from

foreign sources which had proved unsuitable to Filipino culture; and to attune to contemporary
developments and trends.
The Family Code covers fields of significant public interest, especially the law on
marriage. It contains, among others, the definition and requisites for marriage, as well as the
grounds for its annulment. It also contains the law on conjugal property relations, the rules on
establishing filiation, and the governing provisions on support, parental authority, and adoption.
The current version of the Family Code of the Philippines was amended in February 23,
1998 by Executive Order No. 227 and Republic Act No. 9225.
22. Presidential Decree No. 1083
Presidential Decree No. 1083, also known as the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the
Philippines, is a law that recognizes the legal system of the Muslims in the Philippines as part of
the law of the land and seeks to make Islamic institutions more effective, codifies Muslim
personal laws, and provides for an effective administration and enforcement of Muslim personal
laws among Muslims. It was promulgated by President Ferdinand Marcos on February 4, 1977 to
finalize
"A Decree to Ordain and Promulgate a Code Recognizing the System of Filipino Muslim
Laws, Codifying Muslim Personal Laws, and Providing for Its Administration and for Other
Purposes"
This Presidential Decree creates Shari'a courts tasked with the resolution of disputes that
may arise under its provisions, and allows these courts to create Agama Arbitration Councils in
appropriate instances. It creates the office of Jurisconsult in Muslim law, which has the authority
to render legal opinions on matters concerning Muslim law. It also recognizes five Muslim legal

holidays and provides for their proper observance. It defines what constitutes communal property
and customary contracts in accordance with Muslim law, and provides for the effects of
conversion to Islam. It also penalizes offenses and violations of its provisions.
Notably, PD 1083 provides only for Muslim personal laws, e.g. marriage, divorce, and
succession, and not for other Muslim laws. It specifically recognizes the validity of divorce
among Muslims, although divorce is not allowed between other Filipinos. It also recognizes
polygamy in accordance with Muslim law, such that persons married in accordance with its
provisions shall not be liable for bigamy.
Republic Act No. 8171 is a law that provides for the repatriation of Filipino women who
have lost their Philippine citizenship by virtue of their marriage to alien nationals, and of naturalborn Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship by reason of political or economic
necessity, including their minor children. It is
"An Act Providing for the Repatriation of Filipino Women Who Have Lost Their
Philippine Citizenship by Marriage to Aliens and of Natural-Born Filipinos"
This is under the condition that they are not opposed to organized government, they do
not have terrorist leanings, they have not been convicted of moral turpitude, and they do not have
mental alienation or incurable contagious disease. The Act also provides for the procedure of
repatriation.

"An Act Establishing Family Courts, Granting them Exclusive Original Jurisdiction over
Child and Family Cases, Amending Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended, Otherwise Known as
the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other Purposes"
Republic Act No. 8369, known as the Family Courts Act of 1997, establishes the family
courts of the Philippines, granting them exclusive original jurisdiction over Child and Family
Cases, amending Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 (Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980), and
appropriating funds for its implementation. It establishes the Social Services and Counseling
Division (SSCD), which shall provide appropriate social services to all juvenile and family cases
filed with the court.
"An Act Providing for Benefits and Privileges to Solo Parents and their Children,
Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes" (Also known as Solo Parents Welfare Act
of 2000)
Republic Act No. 8972, known as "Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000," aims to develop a
comprehensive program of social development and welfare service for solo parents and their
children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA), the National
Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other related
government and non-government agencies.

26. Act No. 4112
This Act, which made Filipino women the first to obtain the right of suffrage in Asia, was
approved by President Manuel L. Quezon on December 7, 1933. Act No. 4112 is an "An Act to
Amend Section Four Hundred and Thirty-One of the Administrative Code, As Amended, By
Granting the Right of Suffrage to the Women and Making Them Eligible to All Public Offices,
and for Other Purposes"
The members of the 1935 Constitutional Convention limited the right of suffrage to male
citizens because of the belief that there was no popular demand for the right of suffrage by
Filipino women themselves. At that time, it was also claimed that granting women the right to
vote would cause disruption in family unity as the women would become actively engaged in
politics. But the proponents of the bill on women's suffrage argued that the right to vote would
make women more interested in the management of the affairs of the government.
(Wikipilipinas, 2013).
The Local Government Code, or Republic Act No. 7160, establishes the system and powers
of provincial, city, municipal and barangay governments in the Philippines. It is the governing
law on local governments. Specifically, this is "An Act Providing for a Local Government Code
of 1991" - The Local Government Code has been amended to provide seats for women in all of
the 1,600 local legislative assemblies nationwide.
Participation of Filipino women in Philippine politics was encouraged during the Beijing
Declaration in 1995 at the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women. In February
2005, however, a United Nations review on the progress of Philippine women and their role in

politics revealed that despite "an increase in the quality of female politicians, there was not
enough increase in" the number of women participants in government activities. From 1992 to
2001, Filipino women had been elected as local chief executives, functioning as mayors,
governors, and captains of villages (Wikipedia, 2013).
The Republic Act 7941 provides for the election of party-list representatives through the
party-list system and the inclusion of women in the sectoral party list.
It is said that party list groups are important in our political system because through it, the
people are given the chance to air out their concerns freely in the government.
Gabriela is a notable party list devoted to support the needs of marginalized women and
children. It was founded on October 28, 2000. Gabriela first entered the electoral sector back in
2001. The Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act or RA 9262 is one of the many bills
that Gabriela authored. This particular bill is intended to protect both children and women from
physical abuse. Another is the Magna Carta for Women or RA 9710 which seeks to protect
women and children from all forms of violence may it be physical, emotional or mental abuse.
House bill 1137 is also one of the important bills sponsored by Gabriela and its focus is to secure
and separate prison cells for female prisoners. These are just a few of the important house bills
and resolutions that Gabriela sponsored to aid the welfare of oppressed women and children.
The Philippine history is replete with exploits of women who, not only are fighters, but who
excel in other fields of endeavor that are dominated by men. It is in this context that women
became part of it. They had their gigantic share to the military efforts whether in the
battlefields or behind the fighting lines. Among these breed of new Filipino are the womensoldiers of the AFP. They have become down-to earth, practical, and industrious, without
sacrificing their gracious femininity. They stand ready to work diligently, not minding their own
personal comfort for public cause, not out of spirit of rivalry with men or to exalt the cult of

feminine superiority, nor for some political purpose but, in a constructive side-by side
partnership with their male comrades in the service of our country and people (Policarpio, 2005).
One law in the Philippines pertains to women in the military. The Republic Act 3835 as amended
by Presidential Decree 1043 is "An Act to Establish the Women's Auxiliary Corps in the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, to Provide the Procurement of its Officers and Enlisted Personnel, and
for Other Purposes.
Republic Act No. 6949, approved on by President Corazon C. Aquino on April 10, 1990, is
"An Act to Declare March Eight of Every Year as a Working Special Holiday to be Known
as National Women's Day"
To ensure meaningful observance of the holiday, the law directs all heads of government
agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations as well
as local government units, and employers in the private sector to encourage and afford sufficient
time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted
within the premises of their respective offices or establishments to celebrate the National
Women's Day (Wikipilipinas, n.d.).

Republic Act No. 7192, known as the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, is an
"An Act Promoting the Integration of Women as Full and Equal Partners of Men in Development
and Nation Building and for Other Purposes".

It was passed by the Congress of the Philippines on December 11, 1991, and was approved
by President Corazon C. Aquino on February 12, 1992 (Wikipilipinas, n.d.).
Women make up over half of our population. Their contribution to society has been
incalculable, but disparities clearly remain between the fulfillment of their needs, on the one
hand, and the services and protections afforded them by the state, on the other.
Although the Philippines still has rooms for improvement in addressing issues concerning
women, it is definitely doing its part to uplift the Filipina woman, today. The Philippines could
set an example to its Asian neighbors on how to move-on from traditional mindsets and accept
that everyone deserves equal opportunities and treatment regardless of appearance, size, color,
age and gender.
References
Antonio, C. (n.d.). Policy critique: Republic Act No. 7305 (The Magna Carta of Public Health
Workers) and Its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. Research Gate.
Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
www.researchgate.net/publication/233782699_Policy_critique_Republic_Act_No._7305
_(The_Magna_Carta_of_Public_Health_Workers)_and_Its_Revised_Implementing_Rul
es_and_Regulations
Domdom, A. (n.d.). Infant-feeding policies in PH | Inquirer Opinion. Inquirer Opinion |
Philippine News for Filipinos. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://opinion.inquirer.net/29463/infant-feeding-policies-in-ph
Human trafficking in the Philippines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_Philippines

Melnick, M. (n.d.). Study: Why Maternity Leave Is Important | TIME.com. Health & Family | A
healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit | TIME.com. Retrieved September 6, 2013,
from http://healthland.time.com/2011/07/21/study-why-maternity-leave-is-important/
National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. (n.d.). Philippine Laws and Jurisprudence
Databank - The Lawphil Project. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://www.lawphil.net/administ/ncrfw/ncrfw.html
Policarpio, J. (n.d.). Women in the Philippine Military. Free Forum Hosting - ZetaBoards.
Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/topic/831896/1/
Rape in the Philippines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_in_the_Philippines#cite_note-3
Rape | Philippine Commission on Women. (n.d.). Philippine Commission on Women | National
Machinery for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment. Retrieved September 6,
2013, from http://www.pcw.gov.ph/focus-areas/violence-against-women/rape
Violence against women - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
Retrieved
September
6,
2013,
from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_women
Women in the Philippines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Philippines
Women's Desks - WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Main Page WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2013,

from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Women's_Desks
Women's Suffrage Bill. (n.d.). Wikipilipinas. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Women's_Suffrage_Bill
country;, n. i. (n.d.). Philippine nationality law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_nationality_law

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Running head: PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

Philippine Laws on Women

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

fourth year high school using life-skills and other approaches.

the delivery of reproductive health services.

pregnancy period that they are employed.

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

5. Republic Act No. 7875

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

13. Republic Act No. 2714

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

24. Republic Act No. 8369

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

31. Republic Act No. 7192

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

PHILIPPINE LAWS ON WOMEN

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