SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B.No. 
703 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G, ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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JUL 10 1\9 :18 
Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "No person shall be 
deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be 
denied the equal protection of the laws." 
One of the man's most cherished possessions is his liberty against any form of 
restraint. To reinforce this, the law grants to an individual the right to avail of the writ 
of habeas corpus. Upon the issuance of a writ, a person who restrains another is 
directed to produce the restrained person before the court or judge designated in the 
writ at the time and place therein specified. 
The present law on habeas corpus, specifically Rule 102 Section 16 of the Revised 
Rules of Court, provides for a penalty of contempt and a fine of One Thousand pesos 
(PI,OOO.OO) in case a person disobeys the writ or if the clerk of court refuses to issue one 
without just reasons. In effect, the Rules of Court imposes the said penalty only in two 
(2) instances: refusal of the clerl.< of court to issue the writ after allowance thereof and 
demand therefore, and neglect or refusal of a person to whom a writ is directed to obey 
or make return of the same according to the command thereof or refuses, upon demand 
made by or on behalf of the prisoner, to deliver to the person demanding, within six (6) 
hours after the demand therefore a true copy of the warrant of order of commitment. 
The bill proposes to punish disobedience to the writ in four (4) instances: 
(1) A person who refuses or neglects to obey the writ; 
(2) A member of the court who knowingly recommits to prison a person already 
discharged; 
(3) A clerk of court who refuses without reason to issue a writ; 
(4) A person who intently transfers residence or transfers a person under his custody of 
restraint to elude the service of the writ. 
This bill is filed for the purpose of giving aggrieved citizens a means to protect 
their rights. By providing stiffer penalties in addition to the one imposed under the 
Rules, abusive individuals will be deterred from further committing the said acts. 
FRANCIS G, ESCUDERO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B'-No. 703 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G, ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
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JUL lOA 9 :18 
PENALIZING DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Compliance to the Writ of 
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Habeas Corpus Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall maintain peace and order, protect 
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the life of its citizens, and shall promote their general welfare. The Bill of Rights 
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enshrined in our Constitution declares that, "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty 
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or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal 
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protection of the laws." Towards this end, all acts curtailing freedom of individuals 
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without just cause and evading or disobeying writs duly issued by competent court 
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authorities are declared unlawful. 
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SEC. 3. How Committed. - Disobedience to the writ of habeas corpus shall be 
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committed in the following manner: 
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(1) Every person, to whom a writ of habeas corpus may be directed, who 
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neglects or refuses to obey the command thereof after proper service; 
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(2) Every person who, either solely or as a member of the court, knowingly and 
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unlawfully recommits, imprisons, or restrains for the same cause, any person 
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who has been discharged upon a writ of habeas corpus; 
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(3) Every clerk of court who refuses to issue the writ after grant thereof by the 
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court and demand therefor by the petitioner; or 
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(4) Every person having in his custody, or under his restraint of power, any 
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person for whose relief a writ of habeas corpus has been issued, who, with the 
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intent to elude the service of such writ or to avoid the effect thereof, transfers 
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such person to the custody of another, or places him under the control or power 
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of another, or conceals or changes the place of his confinement or restraint, or 
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removes him outside the jurisdiction of the court or jUdge issuing the writ. 
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SEC. 4. Liability. - Any person who violates the provisions of this Act shall, upon 
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conviction, be penalized by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more 
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than six (6) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) but not 
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more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO), or both such fine and 
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imprisonment at the discretion of the court. 
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SEC. 5. Liability of Superior Officer. -The superior officer of the public officer or 
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employee to whom the writ was directed or issued against shall be solidarily liable for 
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damages arising from the acts punished under this Act if the superior officer is 
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informed or knowledgeable of the issuance of the writ, such acts by the public officer or 
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employee concerned, and no immediate appropriate action is taken thereon. 
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SEC. 6. Independent Action for Damages. - Nothing in this Act shall preclude the 
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offended party from instituting a separate and independent action for damages and 
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other affirmative relief. 
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SEC. 7. Administrative Liability. - If the offender is a public officer or employee, 
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the filing of civil and/ or criminal action against him will not be a bar to any 
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administrative liability. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not be 
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affected by such declaration. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
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issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed and modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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