- CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
- “First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

. House BillNo.___ 4234

_~ Introduced by REP. MARK A. VILLAR

a EXPLANATORY NOTE

it is a famous adage that for evil to triumph, it is enough for good men to do
- nothing. This saying is more relevant at present considering the strings of criminality
that besiege our nation

More often than not, citizens who witness crimes choose to remain silent for fear
of reprisal and/or because of anticipation of hardships in their personal life as an effect of
any disclosure to the authorities. The anticipation of leaving the comfort of their private
life by making their identity and other information public without any incentive for them or
their famity is dreadful. Mere altruistic feeling for the society may not be enough to
‘compensate for the sudden and drastic change in their lives if they chaose to stand as
witness against criminals.

Hence, to negate the fear of reprisal, there is a need te institutionalize a system
which will encourage the citizenry to efficiently provide information relating to crimes
without the need to divuige their identity and with the assurance from the government
that the information and thew identity wil be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Moreover, there is a need to give informants a tangible recognition of the heroic deed

~__ The use of modem technology couki be an efficient and convenient tool to
Provide confidential information to law enforcement agencies. Cellular phones and other
Portable or recording devices could capture images and video footages, which could be
sent fo the proper authorities at an instant. Considering their portability and accessibility
to Filipinos, portable video and other recording device could be an effective tool against
Giiminality.

Hence, this Bill seeks to encourage citizens to use their cellular phones, digital
cameras and other portable or recording devices to take footages or photos of felonies
‘of crimes by ensuring utmost confidentiality of their identity and other information, and
giving a tangible recognition of their contribution to the society through financial rewards


Itis the hope of this représentation thal this Bill would provide greater awareness
f the rote that the cifizenry can play in reducing of eradicating criminatity and improving
the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the community, which could
‘eventually lead to the eradicatiun of criminality.

MARK A. VILLAR
Representative, Lone District of Las Pifias City


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

House Bill No. _ 423 4

Introduced by REP. MARK A. VILLAR

SSS

AN ACT PROVIDING FINANCIAL REWARD TO INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDED
RECORDED VIDEO OR PHOTOGRAPH OF FELONY OR CRIME WHICH LED OR
MATERIALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROSECUTION OR CONVICTION OF THE

OFFENDER AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1: Short Title. This Act shall be known as Tipster Reward Program Act of
2011.

SECTION 2. Deciaration of Policies: it shall be the Policy of the State to maintain peace
and order, protect jife, liberty, and property, and Promote the general welfare for the
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. To this end, the State
recognizes the vital role of the Community in eradicating violence and criminality and
shail protect and reward its citizenry who shall choose to stand up against criminality by
Providing vital information which could lead to the prosecution or conviction of the
offender.

SECTION 3. Coverage. This Act shail cover individuals who shall provide photographs
or video recording of grave felony of its equivalent under special laws with the
corresponding information, which shall lead or materially contributed to the finding of
probable cause or conviction of the suspect or accused. For purposes of this Act. the
individual who shall provide the aforesaid video recording or photograph accompanied
by the details thereof shall be referred to as Tipster’.

SECTION 4. Tipster Reward Center. There shall be a Tipster Reward Center (TRC)
which shall operate under office of the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DQJ} and


Shall have the appropfiate and sufficient telecommunication equipment and personnel to
perform its mandated functions and responsibiiies. For this purpose, the DOJ-TRC
shall set up secured web sites and cellular phone lines which could receive photographs
oF footages of felonies or crimes.

SECTION 5. Functions, Responsibility and Power of the Department of Justice- Tipster
Reward Center (O0J-TRC)- The DOJ-TRC shall have the following powers and
functions: .

~.  “(@)_ supervise, monitor’ and coordinate all efforts relative to the
implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act;
_(b) investigate all disclosures made under this Act and prosecute the
same when warranted;
(c) evaluate the Tipster for coverage within this Act, and make the
aa appropriate decision on their entittement to the financial reward extended
. herein;
(d) undertake, in coordination and cooperation with the private and public
> settors, an information campaign to educate the public on the provisions
and benefits of this Act;
(©) develop plans and implement programs to further encourage Tipsters
effective deterrence and/or prosecution;
(f) control and administer, consistent with the provisions and purposes of
— _this Act, the protection and benefits of Tipsters,
“{g} call upon, or deputize any department, bureau, office or any other
- goverment agency or public official to assist in the effective
implementation and enforcement of this Act;
- th) receive videos or photographs and the corresponding information in
relation thereto of the purported felony or cime;
{@ coordinate directly with the appropriate law enforcement agency
Goverment agency for the purpose of relaying the information gathered
and ensuring that the said information, videos or photographs are verified
and/or properly attended to, and
@ compel the appropriate government agency to render a report on the
subject matter of the said information, video or photograph and on the
actions that they have taken on the same.

SECTION 6. Confidentiality. - Except insofar as allowed by this Act, during and after this
disclosure, and throughout and after any proceeding taken thereafter, the Tipster or
informant is entitled to absolute confidentiality as to:

~ =: fa)his identity;
~  (b) the subject matter of his disclosure; and
- (©) the person to whom such disclosure was made.

There shall be no such confidentiality in his/her identity if the Tipster makes a
Public disclosure of the felony or offense untess notwithstanding such public disclosure,
he has taken means and measures obviously intended to preserve his anonymity


——. The DOJ-TRC shall ensure and take the appropriate measures to ensure the

confidentiality of the above-enumerated details. Tipster’s personal appearance to the

-- DOJ-TRC, courts, government agencies or quasi-judicial body for the purpose of

submitting the said video or photograph or giving any information relating to photographs

> or footages of felonies or crimes shall not be required for the purpose of availing the
benefits of this Act

SECTION 7. Confidential information. - No person to whom a disclosure has been
Tiade oF referred shall divulge any information thal may identify or tend to identify a
Tipster - or reveat the subject matter of such disclosure, except only as
when he consents in writing prior to a disclosure of information.

~The prohibition on disclosure under this Section shall apply to any person who
has become privy to any confidential information, whether officially or by other means

SECTION 8. Testimony and execution of swom statement. The testimony of a Tipster
in court or other quasi- judicial body or the execution of swom statement relating to the
video or photographs shall not be necessary for the entitlement or enjoyment of the
benefits of this Act.

SECTION 9. Financial Reward, Any individual who shail provide photographs or video
recording of a felony or crime constituting grave felony or its equivalent under special
laws shail be entitled to a financial reward of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP
100,000.00). Provided that the information video or photograph-

{a) can be substantially corroborated on its material points;

(b) had been subjected @ the verification by the DOJ-TRC;

(©) led or materially contributed to the finding of probable cause or
conviction of the suspect or accused,

~ (d) the Tipster or informant is not an employee or agent of any law enforcement

agency or a govemment employee who by virtue of his duties and
responsibilities could reasonably have access to information, photographs
and video of any felony or crime; and

@) the Tipster should not, in any manner, took part either as an accomplice or

"— accessory or conspired with those appearing in the video or photograph of
the felony ar crime.

SECTION 10. Violation of Confidentiality. Any person who violates the protection of
* Gonfidentiality of a protected disclosure under Sections 6 and 7 of this Act, shall suffer
_.the penaity of not more than six (6) years but not less than two (2) years with an
accessory penalty of temporary absolute disqualification for public office in case of @
_. public officar or employee, shall be civilly liable to indemnify the informant in such
amount of damages as may be awarded and deemed reasonable by a competent court

SECTION 11. False and Misleading information, Video or Photographs. - Any person
- who deliberately and voluntarily gives false or misleading information, video or


photograph or acted as accessory or accomplice of conspired to commit a crime or
[ainexcter theevranss abaxniing tre. Reorfit romuned losin shin Ass tbAll i partitigy to
imprisonment of not more than three (3) years but not less than one (1) year and shall
also suffer the penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification from halding public office in
case of public officer or employee, in addition to other criminat and civil liability he may
incur under existing laws.

SECTION 12. implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Justice shall
formulate for the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

* SECTION 13. Admission fo the Witness Protection Program. The benefits provided

under the provisions of this Act shall be without prejudice to the benefits provided under
~ Republic Act 6981 or Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program and For Other
__ Purposes if the Tipster decides to apply and quafity under the said program.

SECTION 14. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shail be included in the budgetary allocation of the DOJ in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 15. All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 16. 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,
whichever comes earlier.