THE Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), led by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, has filed the “Ginhawa sa Paghahanap ng Trabaho Act,” a measure aimed at making job hunting easier and more accessible for applicants, particularly first-time jobseekers and young Filipinos who often spend days lining up for clearances, photocopying documents, and repeatedly submitting the same requirements for every application.
Romualdez said the proposal, House Bill (HB) No. 8192, forms part of the party’s GINHAWA KIT (Kuryente–Internet–Trabaho) legislative package, which seeks to deliver everyday relief by addressing electricity costs, internet access and employment opportunities.
“This is an important and integral reform that Lakas-CMD is pushing because seekers deserve a process that respects their time, protects their documents, save resources, and helps them get hired faster. Part ito ng GINHAWA KIT package we envision delivering real relief to the underprivileged and underserved, so the first step into work becomes simpler, safer, and more dignified for Filipino families,” said Romualdez, Lakas-CMD President.
The party also filed HB 8191, which seeks to grant qualified minimum wage earner households a uniform 50 percent discount on applicable electricity charges for their principal residence, while providing automatic lifeline enrollment for marginalized and vulnerable consumers.
Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez of Quezon and Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales filed the measure on behalf of the Lakas-CMD.
Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippine (UP), said the bill modernizes the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act “by recognizing that the burden on applicants is no longer just about fees and charges, but also about fragmented, repetitive documentary demands that can pile up even before any job offer is made, especially for first-time jobseekers.”
In practical terms, Romualdez said “it limits early requirements to a basic, reasonable set, stops employers from making applicants surrender original civil registry documents, reduces redundant clearances through a “no multiple clearance” rule, and introduces consent-based QR verification through eGovPH so applicants do not have to keep submitting the same documents to every employer.”
At the application stage, Suarez, treasurer of Lakas-CMD, said the proposal limits the documents that the government requires to a standard set that employers can use for screening, mainly focusing on identification through the Philippine National ID, an NBI clearance when it’s necessary for the job, and proof of education through certified copies of school records or similar documents.
“The bill also targets abusive and unsafe handling of documents by prohibiting employers from requiring applicants to submit, surrender, deposit or leave behind original civil registry documents such as birth or marriage certificates as a condition for screening or interviews,” Suarez said.
For his part, Khonghun said that the proposal also adopts a “No Multiple Clearance Rule,” where an employer that requires an NBI clearance at the application stage “will no longer be allowed to demand an additional police clearance or similar local clearance for the same security screening purpose unless a specific law or regulation requires it for the position.”
To ensure that applicants know what is needed and to avoid unexpected requirements during the process, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said the bill “makes it mandatory for employers to list the standard documents needed for applications and the main rules of the law, including the ban on asking for original civil registry documents, in job ads or application forms.”
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who leads the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the measure “aims to modernize hiring in the country by creating an Employment Verification Service linked with eGovPH, which will be developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology along with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Civil Service Commission, and other related agencies.”
“This will allow employers to verify select job-application information through QR-enabled verification with the applicant’s affirmative and revocable consent,” Adiong said.
Deputy Speaker Janette L. Garin of Iloilo said “the QR workflow is meant to reduce repeated hardcopy submissions and speed up hiring decisions, while also improving verification in a way that is auditable and aligned with data privacy and cybersecurity standards.”
“The measure also built in an accessibility safeguard, saying the digital shift must not leave behind applicants without smartphones or reliable internet connectivity, with assisted channels envisioned through Public Employment Service Offices and other service points so jobseekers can generate verification tokens or obtain printed verification receipts,” Garin said.
They said the measure likewise creates clearer expectations on employers once a record is verifiable through the eGovPH service, requiring acceptance of verifiable digital equivalents as sufficient for the same purpose, and discouraging repeated requests for the same hardcopy record.
To encourage employers to train and hire first-time jobseekers, the bill connects its rollout with the CREATE MORE Act, which offers better tax deductions for qualified businesses, including extra deductions for training costs and productivity for new hires during their first six months.
Aside from Suarez, the other co-authors of the measure include Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Romualdez, Adiong, Jose Manuel Alba, Jose II “Joboy” Aquino, Munir Arbison, Ma. Rachel Arenas, Dean Asistio, Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Julienne “Jam” Baronda, John Tracy Cagas, Antonino Calixto, Jane Castro, Joel Chua, Dale Corvera, Agay Cruz, Edwin Cruzado, Janice Degamo,
Sittie Aminah Dimaporo, Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina Jr., Gerald Clyod Alexis Galang, Edsel Galeos, Dante Garcia, Garin, Alyssa Michaela “Mica” Gonzales, Kathy Gorriceta, Wilton “Tonton” Kho, Khonghun, Ai Labadlabad, Daphne Lagon, Joseph “Jojo” Lara, Bai Dimple Mastura, Lalo Matugas, Eric Olivarez, Francisco Ortega,
Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, Arnan Panaligan, Rosemarie Panotes, Emerson Pascual, Salvador Pleyto, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Eduardo Rama, Tony Roman, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Ma. Isabel “Maisa” Sagarbarria, Ruth Sakaluran, Adrian Salceda, Reynaldo Salvacion, Ma. Alana Samantha Santos, Steve Chiongbian Solon, Lordan Suan, Joseph Tan, Irwin Tieng,
Dibu Tuan, Binky Tupas, Kristine Alexie Tutor, De Carlo “Oyo” Uy, Roberto “Pinpin” Uy Jr., Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Patrick Michael Vargas, Christopherson Yap, Eric Go Yap, Joseph Kim Yu, Emilio Bernardino Yulo, JB Bernos, Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., and Jonathan Keith Flores.
