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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
8 JUN -2 ? 2  24 
SENATE 
- 
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 6;4’ 
Submitted by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights on 
Re. Senate Bill No. 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1358 and 1555. 
JIIN fl 1 ?flnR 
2 3 56. 
Sponsors: Senators Escudero, Defensor Santiago and Ejercito Estrada. 
_XI 
MR. PRESIDENT 
The Committee on Justice and Human Rights to which were referred Senate Bill No. 1358, 
introduced by Senator Defensor Santiago, entitled: 
“AN ACT 
ORDAINING INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN GIVING TESTIMONY IN 
CRIMINAL CASES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS” 
Senate Bill No. 1555, introduced by Senator Ejercito Estrada, entitled: 
“AN ACT 
PENALIZING MEMBERS OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, OTHER 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR EMPLOYEES WHO FAIL OR REFUSE TO 
TESTIFY 
AS 
PROSECUTION 
WITNESSES 
IN 
ANY 
CRIMINAL 
PROCEEDINGS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” 
has considered the same and has the honor to report them back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached bill, Senate Bill No. 2 356, prepared by the Committee, 
entitled: 
“AN ACT 
PENALIZING ANY MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR ANY 
OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE WHO FAILS OR 
REFUSES TO TESTIFY AS A WITNESS IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.” 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1358 .and 1555 with Senators Defensor 
Santiago, Ejercito Estrada and Escudero as authors thereof. 
Respectfully submitted: 
FRANCIS “CHIZ” G. ESCUDERO 
Chairman 


Comrnrltee Report on SBNos. I358 & I 5 5 5  Penoliziiig Lmv Enjbrcers, Officials & Employees Who Refrues to Tesfstifu. 
2 
n 
Members: 
ERA” PIA S. CAYETANO / 
ALAN PETER ‘COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO 
REVILLA JR. 
@F 
M. A. MADRIGAL 
Ex-Officio Members 
N’ 
AQUlLlNO Q. PIMENTEL JR. 
Minority Leader 
Hon. MANNY VILLAR 
Senate President 
Senate of the Philippines 
Pasay City 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Prepared by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights with Senators Defensor 
Santiago, Ejercito Estrada and Escudero as authors thereof 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING ANY MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR ANY 
OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE WHO FAILS OR REFUSES TO 
TESTIFY AS A WITNESS IN ANY CRIMINAL 
PROCEEDINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congvess assembled: 
SECTION 1, Failure or Refusal to Testih as Witness in A n y  Cviminal Proceedings - 
Any member of law enforcement agencies or any other government official or employee 
who, after due notice, fails or refuses deliberately or negligently, to appear and testify 
as a witness in any criminal proceedings without justifiable reason, shall be penalized 
with imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) 
years and a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO.OO) with 
perpetual disqualification to hold public office. 
SEC. 2. Liability of the immediate Supervisor - The immediate supervisor of the 
erring witness as provided for in Section 1 hereof shall be penalized with imprisonment 
of not less than two (2) months and one (3) day but not more than six (6) years and a 
fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than Fifty Thousand 
Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) and, in addition, perpetual absolute disqualification to hold public 
office if, despite due notice, the former did not exert reasonable effort to present the 
latter to the court, or fails to institute appropriate administrative action against such 
subordinate for the latter's failure or refusal to testify. 
SEC. 3. Scope/Limitation - Prosecution and punishment under this Act shall be 
without prejudice to any liability for violation of any existing law except Section 91 of 
Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause - If any part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 


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accordingly. 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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whichever comes earlier. 
SEC. 6. Efectivity. - 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, 
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Approved,