FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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COMMITTEE REPORT NO.- 3914 
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Submitted by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights on 
Re: Senate Bill No. 3 2 2 2 
MAY - 7 ?@J 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill No ,. 2650. 
Sponsor: Senator. Escudero 
MR. PRESIDENT 
The Committee on Justice and Human Rights to which was referred Senate Bill 
No. 2650 introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago entitled 
"AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIM'S AND WITNESS' 
ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING. 
RELATED TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION" 
has considered the same and has the honor to report it back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached Senate Bill No. 
prepared by the Committee 
entitled: 
"AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIMS' AND WITNESSES' 
ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING 
RELATED TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION" 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill No. 2650 with Senators Defensor-Santiago 
and Escudero as authors thereof. 
Respectfully Submitted: 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


Vice- Chaimzan: 
Members: 
c. L i 
GRE~ORIO B. HONASAN II 
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO 
S. CAYETANO 
J 
Ex-Officio Members: 
UEL F. ZUBIRI 
Minority Floor Leader 
Hon. JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
Senate President 
Senate of the Philippines 
Pasay City 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
a>"":.'. 
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Second Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
CJ 
, @y -7 r) -2 yi' 
2 .  I 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. x
2
 
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Prepared by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights with Senators Defensor- 
Santiago and Escudero as authors 
AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES' 
ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING 
RELATED TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. 
Be it 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 the Witness Confidentiality 
Act of 2009. 
SECTION 2. Confidentiality of lnfirmation in Upen Court. - During a trial or 
hearing related to a criminal prosecution, [the court shall require that the] any victim or 
any witness testifying in such proceedings shall be excused from disclosing in open 
court his or her residential address, place of business, business name and relevant 
telephone numbers, or the address, place of business, business name and relevant 
telephone numbers of any victim and/or witness to the crime subject of such 
proceedings 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 of relevance for disclosure shall be on the 
defense or the party seeking the disclosure 
SECTION 3. The Court hearing the criminal proceeding mentioned in the 
immediately preceding paragraph shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this 
law through a judicious use of their contempt powers provided for in Rule 71 of the 
Revised Rules of Court. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 


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amended accordingly. 
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Approved, 
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to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 


14th Congress - Senate Bill No. 2650 - Senate of the Philippines 
Page 1 of 1 
14th Congress 
Senate Bill No. 2650 
Filed on October 6, 2008 by Defensor Santiago, Miriam 
Overview I Committee Referral I Leg. History I All Information 
WITNESS CONFIDENTIALITY ACT 
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Legislative History 
Entitled: 
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AN ACT PROlECTING ThC C0h):IDEhTIALlTY OF VlCl IM'S AND WITNESS ADDRESS Ah0 TELEPHONC NUMBCK UURIhG 
A 1RIAL OR HEARlhG REIATED TO A CRIEIINA. PROSECUTIOI. 
[ SECOND RCGUIAR SESSlOh, llTH COhGRESS 1 
L 2008 ] 
10/6/2008 
10/7/2008 
IntrodJced by Senator MIRIAM DEFEhSOR SANTIAGO; 
Read on Frst Readng ana Referred lo the COmmittec 011 JUSTICE AND H-MAN RIGhTS; 
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http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=l4&q=SBN-2650 
3/26/2009