SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill NOP 554

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Ill, section 1 of the Constitution states 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. Further, section 14 (1) provides that no person shall be held to
answer for a criminal offense without due process of law.

However, there are numerous cases when the Supreme Court, upon review,
reversed the decisions of the lower courts and decided to acquit the convict. The Supreme
Court's reversal of the ruling of the lower court consequently means that a person not
otherwise guilty of the crime for which he or she was charged, had been incarcerated for a
crime he or she did not commit.

This bill seeks to compensate a person wrongfully convicted of a crime in order to
indemnify him or her for the loss, injury and damage brought about by such wrongful
conviction. Under this bill, a person wrongfully convicted of a crime, after being qualified as
such as determined by the appropriate court, shall be entitled to the payment of
compensation in an amount not exceeding twice the amount of the claimant's income in the
year prior to his incarceration or to one hundred thousand pesos for each year of
incarceration, whichever is greater.

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

Uf,

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2004

AN ACT
PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR PERSONS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF A
CRIME AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any person convicted and
subsequently imprisoned for one or more crimes which he did not commit may, under the
conditions hereinafter provided, bring an action for damages before any court of competent
jurisdiction

SEC. 2. The person, hereinafter referred to as the’claimant’, shall establish the following by
clear and convincing evidence that:
(1) He was convicted of a crime and subsequently sentenced to a term of
imprisonment, and has served all or any part of his sentence;
(2) He did not commit the crime for which he was convicted; and
(3) He did not by his own conduct cause or bring about his conviction.

SEC. 3. The action initiated by a verified petition containing statement of the facts
conceming the claim for damages, shall be brought by the claimant within a period of two
years after his release from imprisonment.

‘SEC. 4. (1) Damages awarded pursuant to this section shall not exceed twice the amount of
the claimant's income in the year prior to his incarnation or one hundred thousand pesos for
each year of incarceration, whichever is greater.

(2) In addition to the damages awarded pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection,
the claimant shall be entitled to receive reasonable attomey fees.

SEC. 5. (1) A person serving a term of imprisonment for a crime other than a crime for which
he was mistakenly convicted shall not be eligible to file a claim for damages pursuant to the
provisions of this section.

(2) A person shall not be eligible to file a claim for damages pursuant to the
provisions of this section if the sentence for the crime of which the person was mistakenly
convicted was served concurrently with the sentence for the conviction of another crime.

SEC. 6. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice, in
coordination with the appropriate office, department or agency of the Supreme Court and the
Department of Finance, shall promulgate ‘the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause.- All republic acts, executive orders, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Republic
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 8. Separability Clause. If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Act
shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other parts or provisions hereof,
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,