FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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UCF --fl 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The protection of victims and witnesses is an essential part of the fight against 
crime. The increased risk of witnesses and victims being subjected to intimidation results 
in the failure of the criminal justice system to bring offenders to trial and obtain 
judgments because witnesses are effectively discouraged from testifying freely and 
truthfully. 
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The protection of victims and witnesses giving evidence in criminal cases, 
is crucial in order to achieve successful results in the fight against crime. 
It i s  of utmost importance for the state to protect witnesses against such 
interference by providing them with specific measures of protection that effectively 
ensure their safety. Hence, a Law protecting the confidentiality of victim’s and witness’ 
address and telephone number during a trial or hearing related to a criminal prosecution is 
necessary in fostering the safety of witnesses and victims. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
8 OUT -6 
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Second Regular Session 
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, 
SE 
S. 3. NO. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIM’S AND WITNESS’ADDRESS 
AND TELEPHONE NUMBER DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING RELATED TO A 
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECL‘ION 1. Short Title. This Act may be known as the “The Witness 
Confidentiality Acl ”’. 
SECTION. 2. ConBdentiality of Information in Open Court. - During a trial or 
hearing related to a criminal prosecution, the court shall require that the residence 
address and telephone number and the place of business name, address and telephone 
number of any victim of or witness to the crime shall not be disclosed in open court, and 
that such victim or witness shall not be required to provide the residence or place of 
business name, address or telephone number and the place of business name, address 
and telephone number of any victim or witness to the crime in response to defense or 
prosecution questioning, unless the court determines that there is a clear need for such 
disclosure because the information is necessary and relevant to the facts of the case or to 
the credibility of the witness. 
The burden to establish the need and relevance for disclosure shall be on the 
defense or the party seeking disclosure 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 


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accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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