TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
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25 JUL 15 A 9 38
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
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RtCEiVi
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7309, ENTITLED “AN ACT 
CREATING A BOARD OF CLAIMS UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF UNJUST 
IMPRISONMENT OR DETENTION AND VICTIMS OF
VIOLENT CRIMES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article III 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.
Republic Act No. 7309 was enacted in 1992 to compensate 
individuals who were unjustly detained or imprisoned, and victims of 
violent crimes. It is a recognition of the government’s responsibility to 
help those who suffer not just from crime, but from the flaws in the 
justice system. Unfortunately, the amount of compensation has not 
been increased since its enactment, it no longer meets the needs of our 
time.
This representation believes that if the law is meant to offer relief, 
then it must be meaningful relief-not symbolic gestures. The proposed 
measure envisions a justice system that not only compensates victims 
but restores dignity -especially those that have long been denied 
justice.


This bill seeks to adjust the amount of compensation for victims 
of unjust imprisonment and detention, expand the coverage to include 
overlooked victims, and in totality, improve accessibility, 
transparency, and timeliness of claims process. This will make justice 
more accessible, more compassionate, and more equitable.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly 
sought.
ERWIN t. TWLFO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
nt f'
25 JUL 15 A 9 38 
\
RECE; /i ...
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
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AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7309, ENTITLED “AN ACT 
CREATING A BOARD OF CLAIMS UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF UNJUST 
IMPRISONMENT OR DETENTION AND VICTIMS OF 
VIOLENT CRIMES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION I. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7309, otherwise 
known as “An Act Creating a Board of Claims Under the Department 
of Justice for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims 
of Violent Crimes and for Other Purposes”, is hereby amended to read 
as follows:
“SEC. 3. Who may File Claims. - The following may file claims 
for compensation before the Board:
(a) [any person who was--unjustly-accused, convicted and 
imprisoned-but subsequently released by virtue of-a
judgment of acquittal;]
[(b)] any person who was unjustly detained and released 
without being charged;


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to
(B) ANY PERSON WHO WAS UNJUSTLY ACCUSED,
CHARGED, AND DETAINED BUT 
SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED BY THE TRIAL 
COURT WITH A FINDING THAT NO CRIME WAS 
IN FACT COMMITTED OR THAT THE ACCUSED 
COULD NOT HAVE COMMITTED OR DID NOT 
COMMIT THE IMPUTED CRIME;
(C) ANY PERSON WHO WAS UNJUSTLY ACCUSED,
CONVICTED, AND IMPRISONED BUT 
SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED BY VIRTUE OF A 
JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL FINDING THAT NO 
CRIME WAS IN FACT COMMITTED OR THAT 
THE ACCUSED COULD NOT HAVE COMMITTED 
OR DID NOT COMMIT THE IMPUTED CRIME;
[(e)] (D) any victim of arbitrary or illegal detention by the 
authorities as defined in the Revised Penal Code under 
a final judgment of the court; and
[(d)] (E) any person who is a vietim of violent erimes. For 
purposes of this Aet, violent erimes shall inelude rape 
and shall likewise refer to offenses eommitted with 
malice which resulted in death or serious physieal 
and/or psychologieal injuries, permanent incapacity or 
disability, insanity, abortion, serious trauma, or 
eommitted with torture, eruelty or barbarity.”
SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7309 is hereby amended 
read as follows:
“SEC. 4. Award Ceiling. - For victims of unjust 
imprisonment or detention, the compensation shall be based 
on the number of months of imprisonment or detention and 
every fraetion thereof shall be eonsidered one month; 
Provided, however. That in no ease shall such compensation 
exeeed [ One—thousand—pesos—(P1,QQQ.QQ)] TEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (PI 0,000.00) per month.


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In all other cases, the maximum amount for which the 
Board may approve a claim shall not exceed [Ten Thousand 
Bases—(B10,000.00)] FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS 
(P50,000.00) or the amount necessary to reimburse the 
claimant the expenses incurred for hospitalization, medical 
treatment, loss of wage, loss of support, or other expenses 
directly related to injury, whichever is lower. This is without 
prejudice to the right of the claimant to seek other remedies 
under existing laws.”
SEC. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7309 is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
“SEC. 5. When to File Claims. - Any person entitled to 
compensation under this Act must, within [six (6) months] 
ONE (1) YEAR after being released from imprisonment or 
detention, or from the date the victim suffered damage or 
injury, file his/HER claim with the [Department] BOARD OF 
CEAIMS, otherwise, he/SHE is deemed to have waived the 
same. Except as provided for in this Act, no waiver of claim 
whatsoever is valid.”
SEC. 4. A new Section 5-A is hereby inserted after Section 5 of 
Republic Act No. 7309, to read as follows:
“SEC 5-A. REMOTE FILING OF CLAIMS. - ANY 
PERSON ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION UNDER 
THIS ACT MAY FILE HIS/HER CLAIM REMOTELY, 
SUBJECT TO RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH 
SHALL BE PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD WITHG 
THE GOAL OF STREAMLINING REQUIREMENTS TO 
ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY.”
SEC. 5. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7309 is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
“SEC. 6. Filing of Claims by Heirs. - In case of death 
or incapacity of any person entitled to any award under this


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Act, the claim may be filed by his/HER heirs, in the following 
order: by his/HER surviving spouse, children, [natural] 
parents, brother and/or sister.”
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof 
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,