THRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
-3 P3 22 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution, Article 3, Section 19(2) provides: 
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The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading' punishment 
against any prisoner or d etainee, or the use o f substandard or inadequate p enal 
facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law. . .. . , 
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Torture is the strategic use of pain to destroy both individuals and society. The effects of 
torture are long term. Those effects, in fact, can last a lifetime for tb 
generations. 
Torture victims remain under physical and psycholog 
communities where the perpetrators are not brought to justice. In 
who treat torture victims are threatened with reprisals, including ti 
ethical duties to provide care. 
Both the survivors of torture and their treatment providers de 
repression. Hence, this bill seeks to provide a comprehensive progr 
torture. 
sunrivors and affect future 
a1 threats, especially in 
I any instances, even those 
ture, for carrying out their 
:we protection from further 
n of support for victims of 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF SUPPORT 
FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in. Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ‘Comprehensive Torture 
Victims Relief Act.” 
SECTION 2. DeJnition. -As used in this Act, 
(1) TORTURE - the term ‘torture’ means the employment of physical, 
psychological, or degrading punishment against person or, with respect to any prisoner or 
detainee, the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under sub-human conditions. 
Torture also includes the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence by a person acting under 
the color of law upon another person under his custody or physical control. 
(2) TO RETURN INVOLUNTARLY - the term ‘to return involuntarily’, in the 
case of an individual in any locale, means the following: 
(A)To return the individual without the individual’$ consent, whether or 
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not the return is induced by physical force. 
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(B)To take an action by which it is reasonably ‘foreseeable that the 
individual will be returned, whether or not the return is induced by physical force. 


SECTION 3. Prohibition on involiintaiy return ofpersons fearing subjection to 
torture. - With respect to foreigners or non-Filipino citizens, the Philippines shall not expel, 
extradite, or return involuntarily an individual to a country if there is substantial evidence of 
circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the inldividual would fear 
subjection to torture. 
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SECTION 4. Assistance for treatment of torture victims - The Secretary may provide 
grants to programs adopted in each regional domestic treatment center, in order to cover the cost 
of the following services: 
(1) Services for the rehabilitation of victims of torture, including treatment of the 
physical and psychological effects of torture. 
(2) Social and legal services for victims of torture. 
(3) Research and training for health care providers outside o i  treatment centers or 
programs for the purpose of enabling such providers to provide the services described in 
subparagraph (1). 
SECTION 5. Funding. - Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the 
Department of Health for each fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act (relating to assistance for domestic 
centers and programs for the treatment o f  victims of torture). Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
this section shall remain available until expended. The same funds shall also be used: 
(1) to find new ways to support and protect treatment cente,~ 
4 and programs that 
are carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of torture; and 
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(2) to encourage the development of new such centers and prdgrams. 
SECTION 6 .  Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 


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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contra& to, or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
FN 1489