FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPTNES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The admittance of some witnesses in deplorable and high profile crimes into the Witness 
Protection Program as enunciated under Republic Act No. 6981 gave rise to some problems in 
implementation arising from circumstances not provided for by law. 
The bill proposes to amend RA 6981 by entitling witnesses admitted into the program to the 
following benefits: 1) hospitalization benefits while in the safehouse; 2) free public education to 
minor or dependent children. Presently, free hospitalization is provided to witnesses only for 
injuries or illnesses incurred or suffered primarily due to witness duty. Also, minors or dependent 
children of witnesses cannot avail themselves of free education provision in the law because such 
can only be availed of in case of death or permanent incapacity of the witness. The bill limits the 
grant of free education to minors or dependents to the public educational system primarily 
because of limited funds of the State. 
Moreover, the bill seeks to provide clearly and explicitly for the perpetuation of testimonies of 
witnesses in consonance with Rule 134 of the Revised Rules of Court. Although this can readily 
be done administratively, this measure would like to provide such in the law. 
Passage of this measure is earnestly requested 
A N ~ O ~ I O  
“SONNY” F. TRILLANES 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. NO. $999 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS 
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION. 1. Section 8 (e) and (8) of Republic Act No. 6981 are hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"X 
X 
X 
SEC. 8. 
Rights and Benefits. - The witness shall have the following rights 
and benefits: 
X 
X 
X 
(e) 
To be provided with free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicines 
for any injury or illness incurred or suffered by him because of witness duty OR WHILE 
IN THE SAFEHOUSE in any private or public hospital, clinic, or such institution at the 
expense of the Program. 
X 
X 
X 
(g) 
[In case of death or permanent incapacity, his] THE WITNESS' minor or 
dependent children shall be entitled to free education, from primary to college level, in 


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any [public] school, State college or university, as long as they have been qualified 
thereto." 
SEC. 2. 
A new section shall be inserted between Section 12 and Section 13 of the 
same Act, which shall read as follows: 
"SEC. 2-A. PERPETCATION OF TESTIMONY.- A WITNESSS ONCE 
ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM MAY PERPETUATE HIS TESTIMOY 
PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF COURT." 
SEC. 3. The Department of Justice shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation to 
implement this Act. 
SEC. 4. 
If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, such shall not invalidate any other section of this Act. 
SEC. 5. 
All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances, or parts thereof 
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in at least 
two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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