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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10778

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
ACT"

Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection, Security and
Benefit Act" was enacted to provide protection and security to witnesses including those
who attend legislative investigations, in aid of legislation, conducted by the Congress of
the Philippines.

This proposed measure seeks to amend RA No. 6981, through the creation of a
separate program for witnesses in legislative inquiries, to be administered by the Senate
of the Philippines or the House of Representatives, as the case may be. For further
protection of the witnesses, the bill likewise proposes to empower the Secretary of
Justice, to order the change of name of covered witnesses without need for a separate
judicial order.

To guarantee the truthfulness of the witness’ testimony, the safeguards in the form of
prerequisites for admission to the program were added: 1) prohibition form
communicating or entering into amicable settlement with any adverse party; and 2)
compliance with such other conditions deemed proper for the successful investigation or
prosecution of the case.

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

Luis JUND/ “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.



Republic of the Philippines:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10778

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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 3 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 3. Admission into the Program. — Any person who has witnessed or
has knowledge or information on the commission of a crime and has
testified or is testifying or about to testify before any judicial or quasi-judicial
body, or before any investigating authority, may be admitted into the
Program: Provided, That:
a) The offense [n] FOR which [his] THE testimony will be used is a grave
felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code, or its equivalent under
special laws;
"b) [His] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated in its material
points;
“c) [He] THE WITNESS or any member of [his] THE WITNESS! family
within the second [eivil] degree of consanguinity or affinity is subjected to
threats to [his] life or bodily injury or there is a likelihood that [he] THE
WITNESS will be killed, forced, intimidated, harassed or corrupted [to
im] SO AS TO BE PREVENTED from testifying, or to testify
falsely or evasively, because or on account of [his] THE testimony GIVEN;

and
“d) [He] THE WITNESS is not a law enforcement officer, [even-ifhe-would


be-testifying] UNLESS THE TESTIMONY TO BE GIVEN WILL BE against
other law enforcement officer(s). [IRsuch—

members-of his family-may-avail-themselves-of the protection provided for
under this-Act]

“If the Department, after examination of said applicant and other relevant
facts. Is convinced that the requirements of this Act and its implementing
rules and regulations have been complied with, it shall admit said applicant
to the Program, require said witness to execute a sworn statement detailing
THE WITNESS knowledge or information on the commission of the crime,
and thereafter issue the proper certification. For purposes of this Act, any
such person admitted to the Program shall be known as the Witness.”

Sec. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection,
Security and Benefit Act”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 4. Witness in Legislative Investigations. — In case of legislative
investigations in aid of legislation, [-witness,] THE SENATE OF THE
PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, MAY PROVIDE FOR A SEPARATE 'WITN ESS PROTECTION,
SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM FOR ITS RESOURCE
PERSONS AND/OR WITNESSES. THE WITNESS AND/OR RESOURCE
PERSON, [with-his-express-consent,] may be admitted into the Program
upon THE WRITTEN APPLICATION AND the recommendation of the
legislative committee where [his] THE testimony is needed when in its
judgment there is a pressing necessity [therefore] FOR THE WITNESS"
TESTIMONY OR THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS OR EVIDENCE
IN POSSESSION OR CUSTODY OF THE WITNESS: 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 LEGISLATIVE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND
BENEFIT PROGRAM. CONGRESS MAY REQUEST THE NECESSARY
ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY
OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE PROGRAM: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT
THAT A CRIMINAL CASE HAS BEEN INSTITUTED, FOR
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OR TRIAL IN THE COURT, IN
RELATION TO THE SUBJECT OF THE LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY, ANY
WITNESS TO THE CRIMINAL CASE COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE
WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM
SHALL UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE CONCERNED, BE TURNED OVER TO THE WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT


ANY WITNESS TO A CRIMINAL CASE WHO IS COVERED BY THE
PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SHALL CONTINUE TO BE COVERED AND SHALL REMAIN UNDER
SUCH PROGRAM NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY
THAT MAY BE INITIATED THEREAFTER WHERE SUCH WITNESS
MAY BE CALLED UPON TO TESTIFY AS A RESOURCE PERSON.
“ANY WITNESS COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM SHALL ENJOY
THE SAME RIGHTS AND BENEFITS, BEAR THE SAME
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME
CONDITIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. "TO EFFECTIVELY
CARRY OUT THIS PROVISION, CONGRESS SHALL PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS OWN WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM AND
PROMULGATE ITS OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREFOR.”

Sec. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection,
Security and Benefit Act”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 5. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Person to be
Protected. — [Before-a person is provided] AS A PREREQUISITE TO THE
AVAILMENT OF THE protection under this Act, [he-shall-first-execute]
THE WITNESS SHALL ENTER INTO a memorandum of agreement WITH
THE DEPARTMENT, which shall set forth [his] CERTAIN responsibilities
including:

"a) To testify before and provide information to all appropriate law
enforcement officials concerning all appropriate proceedings in connection
with or arising from the activities involved in the offense charged;

"b) To avoid the commission of a crime;

“c) To take all necessary precautions to avoid detection by others of the
facts concerning the protection provided [fir] under this Act;

"d) To comply with legal obligations and civil judgments against [him]
ONE'S PERSON;

"e) To cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of officers and
employees of the Government who are providing protection under this Act;
land

“f) To regularly inform the appropriate program official of [his] current
activities and address];

"G) NOT TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANY ADVERSE PARTY OR
NEGOTIATE FOR OR ENTER INTO, AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT ON
THE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ASPECT OF THE OFFENSE SUBJECT OF
THE CASE OR INVESTIGATION; AND

"H) TO COMPLY WITH SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS AS THE
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DEEM PROPER TO IM POSE FOR
THE SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF THE
CASE OR TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAM.”


Sec. 4. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection,
Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 6. Breach of the Memorandum of Agreement. ~ [Substantial] ANY
breach of the memorandum of agreement shall be a ground for the
IMMEDIATE termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided under
this Act [Provided,-however, That before terminating-such protection]. The
Secretary of Justice shall send notice to the person involved of the
termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided under this Act,
stating therein the reason for such termination.”

Sec. 5. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection,
Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 7. Confidentiality [of Proceedings]. — All [proceedings] MATTERS
involving [application for] admission AND COVERAGE [into] UNDER the
Program [and-the-action-taken-thereon] shall be confidential in nature [-]
AND [NJ] No information or documents [gi ited

thereof] RELATIVE THERETO shall be released except upon written order
of the Department or the proper court.

"Any person who violates the confidentiality of said proceedings shall upon
conviction be punished with imprisonment of not less than [ i]
FOUR (4) YEARS but not more than six (6) years and deprivation of the
right to hold a public office or employment for a period of five (5) years.
"NO INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SHALL
BE ISSUED BY ANY COURT ENJOINING THE ADMISSION OF THE
WITNESS IN THE PROGRAM BY THE DEPARTMENT."

Sec. 6. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness Protection,
Security and Benefit Act’, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 8. Rights and Benefits. - The Witness shall have the RIGHT TO
SECURITY AND PROTECTION AS WELL AS THE following [rights-and]
benefits:

a) To have a secure housing facility until [he] THE WITNESS has testified
or until the threat, intimidation or harassment disappears or is reduced to a
manageable or tolerable level. When the circumstances warrant, the
Witness shall be entitled to relocation and/or change of personal identity at
the expense of the Program. This right TO A SECURE HOUSING
FACILITY AND RELOCATION may be extended to any member of the
family of the Witness within the second [civil] degree of consanguinity or
affinity. "A CHANGE OF PERSONAL IDENTITY MAY INCLUDE A
CHANGE IN PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OR CHANGE OF NAME. THE
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, UPON APPLICATION OF THE WITNESS
COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE


RULES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HEREAFTER
PROMULGATE, MAY ORDER A CHANGE OF THE FIRST NAME,
MIDDLE NAME AND/OR FAMILY NAME OF THE WITNESS COVERED,
WITHOUT NEED OF A SEPARATE JUDICIAL ORDER OR ADMINISTR
ATIVE PROCEEDINGS. PURSUANT TO SUCH ORDER, THE
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DIRECT ALL CONCERNED
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ENTRIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGISTRIES IN SUCH A MANNER
THAT ENSURE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND
AVOID A DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY OF THE WITNESS.

“b) The Department shall, whenever practicable, assist the Witness in
obtaining a means of livelihood. The Witness relocated pursuant to this Act
shall be entitled to a financial assistance from the Program [for-his support
and—that-of-hisfamily] in such amount and for such duration as the
Department shall determine.

“c) In no case shall the Witness be removed from or demoted in work
because or on account of [his] ONE'S absences due to [his] attendance
before any judicial or quasi-judicial body or investigating authority,
including legislative investigations in aid of legislation, in going thereto and
in coming therefrom: Provided, That his employer is notified through a
certification issued by the Department, within a period of thirty (30) days
from the date when the Witness last reported for work: Provided, further.
That in the case of prolonged transfer or permanent relocation, the
employer shall have the option to remove the Witness from employment
after securing clearance from the Department upon the recommendation of
the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Any Witness who failed to report for work because of witness duty shall be
paid [his] BY ONE'S EMPLOYER THE equivalent salaries or wages
corresponding to the number of days of absence occasioned by the
Program. For purposes of this Act, any fraction o fa day shall constitute a
full day salary or wage. This provision shall be applicable to both
government and private employees.

"d) To be provided with reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence
allowance by the Program in such amount as the Department may
determine for his attendance in the court, body or authority where [his] THE
WITNESS' testimony is required, as well as conferences and interviews
with prosecutors or investigating officers.

"e) To be provided with NECESSARY free medical ATTENTION, treatment,
hospitalization and medicines PARTICULARLY for any injury, [of] illness,
OR ANYOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION incurred or suffered by [him
because-of] THE WITNESS OR BY THE SPOUSE AND MINOR OR
DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHILE ON witness duty OR WHILE IN THE
TEMPORARY SHELTER PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM in any [private
¥] public hospital, clinic, or at any such institution at the expense of the
Program.

"WITN ESS DUTY SHALL INCLUDE THE ATTENDANCE OF THE


WITNESS IN THE COURT, BODY OR AUTHORITY WHERE THE
TESTIMONY IS REQUIRED AS WELL AS CONFERENCES AND
INTERVIEWS WITH PROSECUTORS OR INVESTIGATING OFFICERS.
A WITNESS WHO IS RELOCATED TO AN ACCREDITED WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM TEMPORARY
SHELTER SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER WITNESS DUTY
FOR THE DURATION OF STAY IN SAID TEMPORARY SHELTER.”
“f) If a Witness is killed, because of [his] participation in the Program, [his]
THE WITNESS' heirs shall be entitled to a burial benefit of not less them
Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) from the Program exclusive of any other
similar benefits [he] THE WITNESS may be entitled to under other existing
laws.
"g) []n-case-of death-or permanent incapacity, his] THE WITNESS minor or
dependent children shall be entitled to free education AND/OR
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, from primary to college level in any state [;
‘oF-private] school, college or university [as-may-be-determined_by-the
.] as long as they shall have qualified thereto. THE
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HEREIN PROVIDED CAN BE AVAILED BY
THE WITNESS’ MINOR OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY,
SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, BUT IN THE LATTER
CASE, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE (5) YEARS.”

Sec. 7. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec 10. [State-Witness] ADMISSION OF OFFENDERS. - Any person
who has participated in the commission of a crime and desires to be a
witness for the [Stale] GOVERNMENT can apply and, if qualified as
determined in this Act and by the Department, shall be admitted into the
Program whenever the following circumstances are present:

a) The offense in which [his] THE testimony will be used is a grave felony
as defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special
laws;

“b) There is absolute necessity for [his] THE testimony;

“c) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of
the offense committed;

“d) [His] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material
points;

€) [He] THE PERSON does not appear to be most guilty; and

“f) [He] THE PERSON has not at any time been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude.

“THE ADMISSION OF A PERSON TO THE PROGRAM IS DISTINCT
AND SEPARATE FROM A DISCHARGE OF AN ACCUSED FROM AN
INFORMATION OR CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BY THE COURT IN
ORDER THAT SAID ACCUSED MAY BE A STATE WITNESS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 OF RULE 119 OF THE REVISED RULES


OF COURT.

"An accused discharged from an information or criminal complaint by the
court in order that [he] THE ACCUSED may be a State Witness pursuant
to [Sections 9-and-40] SECTION 17 of Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of
Court may, upon [his] petition, be admitted to the Program [it he-complies]
UPON COMPLIANCE with the other requirements of this Act. Nothing in
this Act shall prevent the discharge of an accused [se-that-can-be-used]
WHO QUALIFIED as [a] State Witness under SECTION 17, Rule 119 of
the Revised Rules of Court.”

Sec. 8. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 12. Effect of Admission of a [State] Witness into the Program. - The
certification of admission into the Program by the Department shall be
given full faith and credit by the provincial or city prosecutor who is required
not to include the Witness in the criminal complaint or information and if
included therein, to petition the court for [his] THE discharge PURSUANT
TO THIS ACT in order that [he] ONE can be utilized as a [State] Witness
FOR THE PROSECUTION.

re]
"Admission into the Program shall AUTOMATICALLY entitle such [State]
COVERED Witness to immunity from criminal prosecution for the offense
or offenses in which [his] THE testimony will be given or used and [allthe
THE COURT SHALL
ORDER THE DISCHARGE AND EXCLUSION OF THE SAID WITNESS
FROM THE INFORMATION.”

Sec. 9. A new Section (Section 12-A) shall be inserted between Section 12 and Section
13 of Republic Act No. 6981, which shall read as follows:

“Sec. 13. Failure or Refusal of the Witness to COOPERATE OR Testify. —
[Any-wit tered-in-the Progi -wino fal fuses to-testify-orto

"A WITNESS COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM WHO UNJUSTLY
FAILS OR REFUSES TO COOPERATE OR TESTIFY IN THE
INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF A CASE OR WHO GIVES


FALSE OR MISLEADING TESTIMONY SHALL BE CRIMINALLY
PROSECUTED AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, SUFFER THE
PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR (4) YEARS
BUT NOT EXCEEDING SIX (6) YEARS. THE WITNESS SHALL ALSO
BE REQUIRED TO RESTITUTE ALL THE PROGRAMS EXPENSES
RELATIVE TO HIS COVERAGE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO
PROSECUTION FOR CONTEMPT UNDER OTHER EXISTING LAWS."

Sec. 11. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 14. Compelled Testimony. — Any Witness admitted into the Program
pursuant to Sections 3 and 10 of this Act cannot refuse to testify or give
evidence or produce books, documents, records or writings necessary for
the prosecution of the offense or offenses for which [he] ONE has been
admitted into the Program on the ground of the constitutional right against
self-incrimination, [but-he] THE WITNESS shall enjoy immunity from
criminal prosecution and [cannot] SHALL NOT be subjected to any penalty
or forfeiture for any transaction, matter or thing concerning his compelled
testimony or books, documents, records or writings produced.

“In case of refusal of [said] THE Witness to testify or give evidence or
produce books, documents, records, or writings, on the ground of the right
against self-incrimination, and the [state] PUBLIC prosecutor or
investigator believes that such evidence is absolutely necessary for a
successful prosecution of the offense or offenses charged or under
investigation, he, with the prior approval of the Department, shall file a
petition with the appropriate court for the issuance of an order requiring
said Witness to testify, give evidence or produce the books, documents,
records, and writings described, and the court shall issue the proper order.
"The court, upon motion of the [state] PUBLIC prosecutor or investigator,
shall order the arrest and detention of the Witness in any jail contiguous to
the place of trial or investigation until such time that the Witness is willing to
give such testimony or produce such documentary evidence.”

Sec. 12. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 15. [Perjury-of] Contempt. — No Witness shall be exempt from
prosecution for [ perjury or] contempt committed while giving testimony or
producing evidence under compulsion pursuant to this Act. [Fhe-penalty

igher in-degree-chall-be-i ci F-convietion-for perjury]
The procedure prescribed under Rule 71 of the Rules of Court shall be
followed in contempt proceedings but the penalty to be imposed shall not
be less than one (1) month but not more than one (1) year imprisonment.
PROVIDED, THAT WITNESSES IN INQUIRIES IN AID OF
LEGISLATION MAY BE IMPRISONED UNTIL THE TERMINATION OF



THE LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY."

Sec. 13. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the "Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 17. Penalty for Harassment of Witness. — Any person who harasses

a Witness [and-thereby-hinders,-delays, prevents of dissuades-a Witness]

BY REASON OF THE SWORN STATEMENT OR TESTIMONY GIVEN

BY THE LATTER, OR WHO ATTEMPTS TO HINDER, DELAY,

PREVENT OR DISSUADE THE WITNESS from:

“a) attending or testifying before any judicial or quasi-judicial body or

investigating authority;

“b) reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge the commission or

possible commission of an offense, or a violation of conditions or probation,

parole, or release pending judicial proceedings;

“c) seeking the arrest of another person in connection with the offense;

“d) causing a criminal prosecution, or a proceeding for the revocation of a

parole or probation; or

“e) performing and enjoying the rights and benefits under this Act [or
;] shall be fined not more than [Three-thousand-pesos

{P3;000:00)] TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,00.00) or suffer

imprisonment of not less than [six-(6)-months] TWO (2) 20 YEARS but not

more than [one-{4)-year,] FOUR (4 ) YEARS, or both [;-and-he-shall-also

case-of a public-officer]. "IN ADDITION, THE PENALTY OF PERPETUAL
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE SHALL BE
IMPOSED UPON THE OFFENDER WHO IS A PUBLIC OFFICER.”

Sec. 14. A new Section (Section 17-A) shall be inserted between Section 17 and Section
18 of Republic Act No. 6981, which shall read as follows:

"SEC. 17-A. CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS. — IN CASE OF DOUBT,
ANY PROVISION OF THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF
THE ADMISSION OF THE WITNESS."

Sec. 15. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Justice shall
promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such shall not invalidate any other section of this Act.

Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances or


parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 19. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
Publication in at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,