THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
While there appears sufficient legislation on providing the necessary assistance 
to victims of rape, these laws exclude victims of battery, harassment and other sexual 
and physical abuse. Because of this, the society has become indifferent to the real 
plight that victims of such abuse undergo. Many continue to refuse to acknowledge the 
gravity of mental trauma caused by encountering such experiences. 
According to the World Health Organization’s report on domestic violence, the 
Philippines averages as one of the highest in terms of domestic violence cases. The 
results were based on collated reports of hospitals and non-governmental organizations 
in Cebu, Metro Manila and the Cordillera region. If the statistics prove accurate then 
there exists a dire need to expand the existing laws against rape to cover assistance 
and protection to victims of battery, harassment and other forms of physical and mental 
abuse. This proposed bill seeks to establish a Trauma Center which will aid victims in 
regaining their self-esteem and confidence. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “RAPE 
VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACT OF 1998” 
Be if enacted by fhe Senate and fhe ffouse of Representatives in session 
assembled: 
~ 
SECTION 1. Session 1 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
Section I. Tifle. - This Act shall be known as the “[Rape Victim 
Assistance and Protection Act of 19981 TRAUMA CENTER ACT.” 
SECTION 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
I 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of 
the state to provide necessary assistance and protection for [rape] victims [.I OF 
RAPE, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL AND 
PHYSICAL ABUSE. Towards this end, the government shall coordinate its 
various agencies and non-government organizations to work hand in hand for the 
establishment and operation of a [rape crisis] TRAUMA center in every province 
[and], city AND MUNICIPALITY that shall assist and protect [rape] victims [.] of 
RAPE, BATTERY HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FQRMS OF SEXUAL AND 
PHYSICAL ABUSE in the litigation of their cases and their recovery. 


SECTION 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
Section 3 [Rape Crisis] TRAUMA Center. - The Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of 
Justice (DOJ), and a lead non-government organization (NGO) with proven track 
record, or experience in handling sexual AND PHYSICAL ABUSE CASES, shall 
establish in every province, city AND MUNICIPALITY a [Rape Crisis] TRAUMA 
Center located in a government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable 
place for the purpose of: 
Providing [rape] victims OF RAPE, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND 
OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE with psychological 
counsel[l]ing, medical and health services, including their medico-legal 
examinations; 
Securing free legal assistance or service, when necessary for [rape] 
victims OF RAPE, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF 
SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE; 
Assisting [rape] victims OF RAPE, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND 
OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE in the investigation 
to hasten the arrest of offenders and the filing of cases in court; 
Ensuring the privacy and safety of [rape] victims OF RAPE, BATTERY, 
HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL 
ABUSE; 
Providing psychological counsel[l]ing and medical services whenever 
necessary for the family of [rape] victims OF RAPE, BATTERY, 
HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL 
ABUSE; 
Developing and undertaking a training program for law enforcement 
officers, 
public 
prosecutors, 
lawyers, 
medico-legal 
officers, 
PHYCHOLOGISTS, social workers, and barangay officials on human 
rights and responsibilities; gender sensibility and legal management of 
rape, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL OR 
PHYSICAL ABUSE cases, PARTICULARLY THOSE COMMITTED 
AGAINST CHILDREN; and 
Adopting and implementing programs for the recovery of [rape] victims OF 
RAPE, BATTERY, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL 
OR PHYSICAL ABUSE; 


The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the establishment and operation of the [Rape 
I 
Crisis] TRAUMA Center. 
SECTION 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
I 
Section 4. Duty of the Police Officer. - Upon receipt by the police of the 
complaint for rape, BATTERY, HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF 
SEXUAL PHYSICAL ABUSE, it shall be the duty of the police officer to: 
a) 
Immediately refer the case to the prosecutor for inquestlinvestigation if the 
accused is detained; otherwise, the rules of court shall apply; 
Arrange for counsel[l]ing and medical services for the offended party; and 
b) 
c) 
Immediately make a report on the action taken. 
It shall be the duty of the police officer of the examining physician, who 
must be of the same gender as the offended party, to ensure that only persons 
expressly authorized by the offended party shall be allowed inside the room 
where the investigation or medical or physical examination is being conducted. 
For this purpose, a women’s AND CHILDREN’S desk must be established 
in every police precinct throughout the country to provide a GENDER- 
SENSITIVE police woman to conduct investigation of or of hislher reputation 
shall not be admitted unless, and only to the extent that the court finds, that such 
evidence is material and relevant to the case. 
SECTION 7. Sec. 7 of Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
Sec. 7. Appropriafions. - For the establishment and operation of the 
[rape crisis] TRAUMA centers during the first year of implementation of this Act, 
the amount of One Hundred Twenty Million Pesos (P 120,000,000.00) shall be 
charged against the Organizational Adjustment Fund, as follows: Sixty Million 
Pesos (P60,000,000.00) for 
the 
DSWD; 
and Twenty 
Million 
Pesos 
(P20,000,000.00) each for the DOH, DILG, and DOH respectively. Thereafter, 
the necessary amount for the [rape crisis] TRAUMA centers shall be included in 


the budgelary allocations for the agencies concerned in the annual General 
Appropriati!ons Act. 
SECTION 8. 1mplemenfing Rules and Regulafions. . Within ninety (90) days 
from the approval of this Act, all concerned agencies shall review, revise, amend or 
modify the existing rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper 
implementation thereof. 
SECTION 9. Separabikfy Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall 
remain valid. 
SECTION I O .  
Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or 
contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed 
accordingly. 
SECTION I I. Effecfivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (I 
5) days 
after publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,