[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187, June 11, 1996 ] AN ACT GRANTING PATERNITY LEAVE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS WITH FULL PAY TO ALL MARRIED MALE 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
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Paternity Leave Act of 1996."
SEC. 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) days with full pay for the first four (4) 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.
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Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8187)
- Grants paternity leave of 7 days with full pay to all married male employees in private and public sectors for the first 4 deliveries of the legitimate spouse with whom he is cohabiting. (Section 2)
- Defines paternity leave as the benefit allowing a married male employee not to report for work for 7 days but continues to earn compensation, to enable him to support his wife during her recovery and/or nursing of the newborn child. (Section 3)
- Delivery includes childbirth or any miscarriage. (Section 2)
- The male employee must notify the employer of the pregnancy and expected delivery date. (Section 2)
- The Secretary of Labor and Employment, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, and Secretary of Health shall issue rules and regulations for implementation within 30 days of effectivity. (Section 4)
- Violators shall be punished with a fine not exceeding Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) or imprisonment of not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months. (Section 5)
- For violations by corporations, trusts, firms, partnerships, associations or entities, the penalty shall be imposed on responsible officers. (Section 5)
- The Act shall not diminish any existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any contract, agreement or policy between employer and employee. (Section 6)
- All inconsistent laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, issuances are repealed or modified accordingly. (Section 7)
- The Act shall take effect 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of national circulation. (Section 8)
