FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 1979

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In view of the active roles of the Senate and the House of Representatives
in the investigation of malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance of government
officials which are detrimental to the interests of the Filipino people, there is a
need to amend Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act”.

It is necessary that the Senate and the House of Representatives have
their own separate Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Program for the

resource person and/or witness appearing before any of its committees.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUFUS/B. RODRIGUEZ

Y
MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__ 1979

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT”.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6981 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Section 4. Witness in Legislative
Investigation — In case of legislative investigations
in aid of legislation, [a witness] THE SENATE OF
THE PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE,
SHALL PROVIDE FOR A SEPARATE “WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM" FOR THE RESOURCE PERSONS
AND/OR WITNESSES. THE WITNESS AND/OR
RESOURCE PERSON, with his express consent,
may be admitted into the Program upon the
recommendation of the legislative committee
where his/her testimony is needed when in its
judgment there is a pressing necessity therefore:
Provided, That such recommendation is approved
by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, as the case may
be.

THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES OR
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE
CASE MAY BE, SHALL HAVE PRIMARY
JURISDICTION IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.
CONGRESS MAY REQUEST THE NECESSARY
ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT,
BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE
AGENCY TO ASSIST WITHTHE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.


HOWEVER, THE PROGRAM SHALL BE
IMPLEMENTED BY THE SENATE OR THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INDEPENDENT
FROM ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT, BUREAU.
OFFICE OR ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY
WHEN IT IS APPARENT THAT THE
INVESTIGATION MIGHT PREJUDICED AND/OR
WHEN THE SAFETY OF THE WITNESS MIGHT
BE JEOPARDIZED SPECIALLY WHEN PUBLIC
OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED.

CONGRESS MAY PROMULGATE ITS
OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROVISION”

SEC. 2. Section 8 (¢) and (g) of the same Act are hereby amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 8. Rights and Benefits — The witness shall have the following rights
and benefits:
KX EX

(@) To be provided with free medical
treatment, hospitalization and medicines for any
injury or illness incurred or suffered by him
because of witness duty OR WHILE IN THE
SAFEHOUSE in any private or public hospital,
clinic, or such institution at the expense of the
Program,

XXX

(g) [In case of death or permanent
incapacity, his] THE WITNESS’ minor or
dependent children shall be entitled to free
education, from primary to college level in any
state, or private school, college or university [as
may be determined by the Department] as long as
they shall have qualified thereto”.

SEC. 3. A new section, Section 12-A, shall be inserted under Section
12 of the same Act, which shall read as follows:
Sec 12-A. PERPETUATION OF
TESTIMONY — ONCE ADMITTED INTO THE
PROGRAM, A WITNESS MAY PERPETUATE
HIS TESTIMONY PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF
THE REVISED RULES OF COURT.

SEC. 4. The Department of Justice shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations to implement this Act.


SEC. 5. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
effected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 6. All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules, regulations,

ordinances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provision of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Approved,