Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No.2537 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 2, Section 9 of the 1987 c,0nstitution provides that: 
HI 
"The State shaH promote a just, and dynamic social order that will ensure the 
prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty 
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, 
a rising standard of living, and an,improved quality oflife for all", 
Section 11 of the same article further provides that: 
"The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect 
for human rights". 
Accordingly, persons confined in institutions providing skilled nursing, intermediate or 
long-term care, or custodial or residential care, must be accorded adequate social services and 
respect for their dignity. 
. 
This Act will ensure that institutionalized persons will not be subjected to shabby and 
abusive treatment from the people charge'? with their care and custody. 
In view of the above, the immediate passage ofthis bill is fervently sought. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2537 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
DEFINING WHO ARE Il\'STITUTIONALIZED PERSONS AND 
PENALIZING THEIR MALTREATMENT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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' 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "Institutionalized Persons 
Protection Act of 20 1 0". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to provide adequate 
social services to institutionalized persons and to respect their dignity by ensuring that the 
persons in charge of their care and maintenance treat them properly. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a, The term "institution" means any facility or institution which is owned, operated, or 
managed by, or provides services on behalf of the government or its political subdivision 
and which function is to provide skilled nursing, intermediate or long-term care, or 
custodial or residential care. 
b, The term "institutionalized persons" refers to persons kept in an institution as defined in 
this Act who are: 
1. 
mentally ill, disabled, or retarded, or chronically ill or handicapped; 
ii. 
in j ail, either by final sentence or under detention; 
iii. 
juveniles-
a. held awaiting trial; 
b. residing in such facility or institution for purposes of receiving 
care or treatment; or 
c, residing for any govermnent purpose in such facility or 
institution (other than a residential facility providing only 
elemerl,tary or secondary education that is not an institution in 
which reside juveniles who are adjudicated delinquent, in need 
of supervision, neglected, placed in government custody, 
mentally iII or disabled, mentally retarded, or chronically ill or 
handicapped), 
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SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. -, It shall be unlawful for any official, employee, or agent 
of the government, or other person acting on behalf of the government charged with the care of 
an institutionalized person to: 
a, Subj ect persons residing in,. or confined to an institution to egregious or flagrant 
conditions causing such person to suffer physical injuries: 
b, Withhold from such institutionalized persons services, resources and facilities 
necessary for their maintenance and well-being; and 
c. Inflict, intentionally or through negligence, upon said person's psychological or 
physical harm. 
SECTION 5. Penal Liability. - Any of the persons referred to in Section 4 of this Act, 
who are guilty of the commission of the prohibited acts enumerated therein shall be penalized 
with imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to one (1) year. This is without prejUdice to any 
administrative case which may be filed against the erring official. 
SECTION 6. Civil Liability. - A responsible official found guilty of violating this Act 
shall also be civilly liable for any damage that may be suffered by the institutionalized person as 
a result ofthe violation of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause.. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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