SEN. Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to strengthen the government’s fight against illegal recruitment by redefining what constitutes recruitment committed by a syndicate and imposing stiffer accountability on offenders.
Filed on Jan. 27, Senate Bill (SB) 1706 aims to amend Presidential Decree 442, or the Labor Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 8042, also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended.
In his explanatory note, Villar underscored the vital role of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country’s economy, citing remittances as a significant contributor to the gross domestic product. He reiterated that OFWs, often referred to as modern-day heroes, make personal sacrifices by leaving their families to seek employment abroad and support national development.
Despite their contribution, the senator noted that many OFWs continue to fall prey to fraudulent recruiters. Citing available data, Villar said that more than 1,800 illegal recruitment cases were reported between January and October 2021.
He also pointed to a March 2025 report involving at least 30 Filipinos victimized by illegal recruitment in Myanmar.
Villar cited reports from the Department of Migrant Workers indicating that online illegal recruitment schemes increasingly target vulnerable jobseekers, prompting the need to revisit and strengthen the government’s campaign against such crimes.
Illegal recruitment is considered syndicated when committed by three or more persons conspiring together. However, Villar said this requirement has made prosecution difficult, allowing offenders to evade heavier penalties.
A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies showed that only 17 percent of illegal recruitment cases in the country result in prosecution, highlighting enforcement challenges, particularly in syndicated cases.
Villar’s bill will lower the number of perpetrators required to qualify illegal recruitment as syndicated from three to two persons. It also explicitly penalizes illegal recruitment carried out online or through electronic means by two or more individuals, reflecting the growing use of digital platforms in recruitment scams.
Under the measure, illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate or on a large scale would be classified as economic sabotage, warranting stiffer penalties.
“The State is mandated by the Constitution to provide full protection to labor, whether local or overseas,” Villar said, stressing that the government must send a strong message against those who exploit Filipino workers.
He said SB 1706 is a step toward strengthening legal protections for OFWs and holding illegal recruiters fully accountable. He urged the approval of the bill to help curb recruitment scams.