Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
S. B. No. 2.335 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
"14 
JUl 31 
All :15 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT 
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT", AND 
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There is an urgent need to provide protection and security to witnesses and/or resource 
persons who attend legislative investigations, in aid of legislation, conducted by the Congress of the 
Philippines. The present law should be amended in order to improve the conditions and procedure for 
providing protection and assistance to a witness in legislative investigations when reasonable fear 
exists that testifying for the purpose of giving evidence and/or testimony during the investigation on 
criminal offenses in connection with which the protection may be provided under the present law, 
would expose the witness to severe danger to his/her life, health, freedom, corporal inviolability or 
property, where other measures do not suffice. The object of this bill is to ensure that the due 
administration of justice in legislative investigations is not prejudiced by witnesses not being given 
protection relative to his/her testimony in said proceedings. 
The object of this bill is to provide for the safety and well-being of witnesses in legislative 
investigations who, unless protected, may not give evidence for fear of death, violence or serious 
injury by criminal interests likely to be affected by the proceedings, and for related purposes. 
The bill also 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. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
NAXlJRSONNYANGARA 


SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
2 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S.B. No. 2335 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
"14 
JUl 31 
1111 :16 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT 
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT", AND 
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. - Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise 
2 
known as the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act", are hereby amended to read as follows: 
3 
"SEC. 3. 
Admission into the Program. - Any person who has witnessed or has 
4 
knowledge or information on the commission of a crime and has testified or is testifying or 
5 
about to testify before any judicial or quasi-judicial body, or before any investigating 
6 
authority, may be admitted into the Program: Provided, That: 
7 
"a) The offense [in] FOR which [his] THE testimony will be used is a grave felony as 
8 
defined under the Revised Penal Code, or its equivalent under special laws; 
9 
"b) [His] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated in its material points; 
10 
"c) [He] THE WITNESS or any member of [his] THE WITNESS' family within the 
11 
second [civil] degree of consanguinity or affinity is subjected to threats to [his] life or 
12 
bodily injury or there is a likelihood that [he] THE WITNESS will be killed, forced, 
13 
intimidated, harassed or corrupted [to prevent him] SO AS TO BE PREVENTED from 
14 
testifying, or to testify falsely or evasively, because or on account of [his] THE testimony 
15 
GIVEN; and 
16 
"d) [He] THE WITNESS is not a law enforcement officer, [even if he would be 
17 
testifying] UNLESS THE TESTIMONY TO BE GIVEN WILL BE against other law 
18 
enforcement officer(s). [In such a case, only the immediate members of his family may 
19 
avail themselves of the protection provided for under this Act.] 
20 
"If the Department, after examination of said applicant and other relevant facts, is 
21 
convinced that the requirements of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations 
22 
have been complied with, it shall admit said applicant to the Program, require said witness 
23 
to execute a sworn statement detailing THE WITNESS' knowledge or information on the 


3 
commission of the crime, and thereafter issue the proper certification. For purposes of 
2 
this Act, any such person admitted to the Program shall be known as the Witness." 
3 
"SEC. 4. 
Witness in Legislative Investigations. 
In case of legislative 
4 
investigations in aid of legislation, [a witness,] 
THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES OR 
5 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, MAY PROVIDE FOR A 
6 
SEPARATE 'WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM' FOR ITS 
7 
RESOURCE PERSONS AND/OR WITNESSES. THE WITNESS AND/OR RESOURCE 
8 
PERSON, [with his express consent,] may be admitted into the Program upon THE 
9 
WRITTEN APPLICATION AND the recommendation of the legislative committee where 
10 
[his] THE testimony is needed when in its judgment there is a pressing necessity 
11 
[therefor] FOR THE WITNESS' TESTIMONY OR THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS 
12 
OR EVIDENCE IN POSSESSION OR CUSTODY OF THE WITNESS: Provided, That 
13 
such recommendation is approved by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the 
14 
House of Representatives, as the case may be. 
15 
"THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
16 
AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
SHALL HAVE PRIMARY JURISDICTION IN 
THE 
17 
ADMINISTRATION 
AND 
IMPLEMENTATION 
OF 
THE 
LEGISLATIVE WITNESS 
18 
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM. CONGRESS MAY REQUEST 
19 
THE NECESSARY ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE OR 
20 
ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
21 
PROGRAM: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A CRIMINAL CASE 
22 
HAS BEEN INSTITUTED, FOR PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OR TRIAL IN THE 
23 
COURT, IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT OF THE LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY, ANY 
24 
WITNESS TO THE CRIMINAL CASE COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS 
25 
PROTECTION, 
SECURITY 
AND 
BEN.EFIT 
PROGRAM 
SHALL 
UPON 
THE 
26 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CONCERNED, BE TURNED 
27 
OVER TO THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM 
28 
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
29 
ANY WITNESS TO A CRIMINAL CASE WHO IS COVERED BY THE PROGRAM 
30 
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE 
31 
COVERED AND SHALL REMAIN UNDER SUCH PROGRAM NOTWITHSTANDING ANY 
32 
LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY THAT MAY BE INITIATED THEREAFTER WHERE SUCH 
33 
WITNESS MAY BE CALLED UPON TO TESTIFY AS A RESOURCE PERSON. 
34 
"ANY WITNESS COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS PROTECTION, 
35 
SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM SHALL ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS AND 
36 
BENEFITS, BEAR THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE 
37 
SAME CONDITIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. 
38 
"TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THIS PROVISION, CONGRESS SHALL 
39 
PROVIDE 
FUNDING 
FOR 
THE 
IMPLEMENTATION 
OF 
ITS OWN 
WITNESS 
40 
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM AND PROMULGATE ITS OWN 
41 
RULES AND REGULATIONS." 


4 
"SEC. 5. 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Person to be Protected. -
2 
[Before a person is provided] AS A PREREQUISITE TO THE AVAILMENT OF THE 
3 
protection under this Act, [he shall first execute] THE WITNESS SHALL ENTER INTO a 
4 
memorandum of agreement WITH THE DEPARTMENT, which shall set forth [his] 
5 
CERTAIN responsibilities including: 
6 
"a) To testify before and provide information to all appropriate law enforcement 
7 
officials concerning all appropriate proceedings in connection with or arising from the 
8 
activities involved in the offense charged; 
9 
"b) To avoid the commission of a crime; 
10 
"c) To take all necessary precautions to avoid detection by others of the facts 
II 
concerning the protection provided [him] under this Act; 
12 
"d) To comply with legal obligations and civil judgments against [him] ONE'S 
13 
PERSON; 
14 
"e) To cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of officers and employees 
15 
of the Government who are providing protection under this Act; [and] 
16 
"f) To regularly inform the appropriate program official of [his] current activities and 
17 
address[.]; 
18 
"G) NOT TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANY ADVERSE PARTY OR NEGOTIATE 
19 
FOR OR ENTER INTO, AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT ON THE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL 
20 
ASPECT OF THE OFFENSE SUBJECT OF THE CASE OR INVESTIGATION; AND 
21 
"H) TO COMPLY WITH SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS AS THE SECRETARY OF 
22 
JUSTICE MAY DEEM PROPER TO IMPOSE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION 
23 
OR PROSECUTION OF THE CASE OR TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE 
24 
PROGRAM." 
25 
"SEC. 6. 
Breach of the Memorandum of Agreement. -
Substantial breach of the 
26 
memorandum of agreement shall be a ground for the IMMEDIATE termination of the 
27 
BENEFITS AND protection provided under this Act[: Provided, however, That before 
28 
terminating such protection,]. [t]The Secretary of Justice shall send notice to the person 
29 
involved of the termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided under this Act, 
30 
stating therein the reason for such termination." 
31 
"SEC. 7. 
Confidentiality [of Proceedings]. - All [proceedings] MATTERS involving 
32 
[application for] admission AND COVERAGE [into] UNDER the Program [and the action 
33 
taken thereon] shall be confidential in nature[.] AND [N]No information or documents 
34 
[given or submitted in support thereof] RELATIVE THERETO shall be released except 
35 
upon written order of the Department or the proper court. 
36 
"Any person who violates the confidentiality of said proceedings shall upon 
37 
conviction be punished with imprisonment of not less than [one (1) year] FOUR (4) 
38 
YEARS but not more than six (6) years and deprivation of the right to hold a public office 
39 
or employment for a period of five (5) years. 


5 
"NO INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SHALL BE ISSUED 
2 
BY ANY COURT ENJOINING THE ADMISSION OF THE WITNESS IN THE PROGRAM 
3 
BY THE DEPARTMENT." 
4 
"SEC. 8. 
Rights and Benefits. - The Witness shall have the RIGHT TO SECURITY 
5 
AND PROTECTION AS WELL AS THE following [rights and] benefits: 
6 
"a) To have a secure housing facility until THE WITNESS has testified or until the 
7 
threat, intimidation or harassment disappears or is reduced to a manageable or tolerable 
8 
level. When the circumstances warrant, the Witness shall be entitled to relocation and/or 
9 
change of personal identity at the expense of the Program. This right TO A SECURE 
10 
HOUSING FACILITY AND RELOCATION may be extended to any member of the family 
II 
of the Witness within the second [civil] degree of consanguinity or affinity. 
12 
"A CHANGE OF 
PERSONAL IDENTITY MAY INCLUDE A CHANGE IN 
13 
PHYSIOLOGICAL APPEARANCE OR CHANGE OF NAME. THE SECRETARY OF 
14 
JUSTICE, 
UPON APPLICATION 
OF THE WITNESS COVERED 
UNDER THE 
15 
PROGRAM AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT 
16 
SHALL HEREAFTER PROMULGATE, MAY ORDER A CHANGE OF THE FIRST NAME, 
17 
MIDDLE NAME AND/OR FAMILY NAME OF THE WITNESS COVERED, WITHOUT 
18 
NEED OF A SEPARATE JUDICIAL ORDER OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS. 
19 
PURSUANT TO SUCH ORDER, THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DIRECT ALL 
20 
CONCERNED AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE NECESSARY 
21 
ENTRIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGISTRIES IN SUCH A MANNER THAT ENSURES 
22 
THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND AVOID A DISCLOSURE OF 
23 
THE IDENTITY OF THE WITNESS. 
24 
"b) The Department shall, whenever practicable, assist the Witness in obtaining a 
25 
means of livelihood. The Witness relocated pursuant to this Act shall be entitled to a 
26 
financial assistance from the Program [for his support and that of his family] in such 
27 
amount and for such duration as the Department shall determine. 
28 
"c) In no case shall the Witness be removed from or demoted in work because or on 
29 
account of [his] ONE'S absences due to [his] attendance before any judicial or quasi-
30 
judicial body or investigating authority, including legislative investigations in aid of 
31 
legislation, in going thereto and in coming therefrom: Provided, That his employer is 
32 
notified through a certification issued by the Department, within a period of thirty (30) days 
33 
from the date when the Witness last reported for work: Provided, further, That in the case 
34 
of prolonged transfer or permanent relocation, the employer shall have the option to 
35 
remove the Witness from employment after securing clearance from the Department. 
36 
upon the recommendation of the Department of Labor and Employment. 
37 
"Any Witness who failed to report for work because of witness duty shall be paid 
38 
[his] BY ONE'S EMPLOYER THE equivalent salaries or wages corresponding to the 
39 
number of days of absence occasioned by the Program. For purposes of this Act, any 
40 
fraction of a day shall constitute a full day salary or wage. This provision shall be 
41 
applicable to both government and private employees. 


6 
"d) To be provided with reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence allowance 
2 
by the Program in such amount as the Department may determine for his attendance in 
3 
the court, body or authority where THE WITNESS' testimony is required, as well as 
4 
conferences and interviews with prosecutors or investigating officers. 
S 
"e) To be provided with NECESSARY free medical ATTENTION, treatment, 
6 
hospitalization and medicines PARTICULARLY for any injury, [or] illness OR ANY 
7 
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION incurred or suffered by [him because of] THE WITNESS 
8 
OR BY THE SPOUSE AND MINOR OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHILE ON witness 
9 
duty OR WHILE IN THE TEMPORARY SHELTER PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM in 
10 
any [private or] public hospital, clinic, or at any such institution at the expense of the 
11 
Program. 
12 
"WITNESS DUTY SHALL INCLUDE THE ATTENDANCE OF THE WITNESS IN 
13 
THE COURT, BODY OR AUTHORITY WHERE THE TESTIMONY IS REQUIRED AS 
14 
WELL 
AS 
CONFERENCES 
AND 
INTERVIEWS 
WITH 
PROSECUTORS 
OR 
15 
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS. A WITNESS WHO IS RELOCATED TO AN ACCREDITED 
16 
WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM 
TEMPORARY 
17 
SHELTER SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER WITNESS DUTY FOR THE 
18 
DURATION OF STAY IN SAID TEMPORARY SHELTER." 
19 
"f) If a Witness is killed, because of [his] participation in the Program, [his] THE 
20 
WITNESS' heirs shall be entitled to a burial benefit of not less thEm Ten thousand pesos 
21 
(P1 0,000.00) from the Program exclusive of any other similar benefits [he] THE WITNESS 
22 
may be entitled to under other existing laws. 
23 
"g) [In case of death or permanent incapacity, his] THE WITNESS' minor or 
24 
dependent children shall be entitled to free education AND/OR EDUCATIONAL 
2S 
ASSISTANCE, from primary to college level in any state[, or private] school, college or 
26 
university [as may be determined by the Department,] as long as they shall have qualified 
27 
thereto. THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HEREIN PROVIDED CAN BE AVAILED BY 
28 
THE WITNESS' MINOR OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY, SECONDARY 
29 
AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, BUT IN THE LATTER CASE, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE (5) 
30 
YEARS." 
31 
SEC. 2. 
Sections 10 and 12 of the same Act are hereby amended to read as follows: 
32 
"SE:C. 10. [State Witness] ADMISSION OF OFFENDERS. - Any person who has 
33 
participated in the commission of a crime and desires to be a witness for the [State] 
34 
GOVERNMENT, can apply and, if qualified as determined in this Act and by the 
3S 
Department, shall be admitted into the Program whenever the following circumstances are 
36 
present: 
37 
"a) The offense in which [his] THE testimony will be used is a grave felony as 
38 
defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws; 
39 
"b) There is absolute necessity for [his] THE testimony; 
40 
"c) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the 
41 
offense committed; 


7 
"d) [His] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material points; 
2 
"e) [He] THE PERSON does not appear to be most guilty; and 
3 
"f) [He] THE PERSON has not at any time been convicted of any crime involving 
4 
moral turpitude. 
5 
"THE ADMISSION OF A PERSON TO THE PROGRAM IS DISTINCT AND 
6 
SEPARATE FROM A DISCHARGE OF AN ACCUSED FROM AN INFORMATION OR 
7 
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BY THE COURT IN ORDER THAT SAID ACCUSED MAY BE A 
8 
STATE WITNESS PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 OF RULE 119 OF THE REVISED 
9 
RULES OF COURT. 
10 
"An accused discharged from an information or criminal complaint by the court in 
11 
order that [he] THE ACCUSED may be a State Witness pursuant to [Sections 9 and 10] 
12 
SECTION 17 of Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Court may, upon [his] petition, be 
13 
admitted to the Program [if he complies] UPON COMPLIANCE with the other 
14 
requirements of this Act. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the discharge of an accused[, 
15 
so that ~le can be used] WHO QUALIFIED as [a] State Witness under SECTION 17, Rule 
16 
119 of the Revised Rules of Court." 
17 
"SEC. 12. Effect of Admission of a [State] Witness into the Program. 
-
The 
18 
certification of admission into the Program by the Department shall be given full faith and 
19 
credit by the provincial or city prosecutor who is required not to include the Witness in the 
20 
criminal complaint or information and if included therein, to petition the court for [his] THE 
21 
discharge PURSUANT TO THIS ACT in order that [he] ONE can be utilized as a [State] 
22 
Witness FOR THE PROSECUTION. [The court shall order the discharge and exclusion of 
23 
the said accused from the information.] 
24 
"Admission into the Program shall AUTOMATICALLY entitle such 
[State] 
25 
COVERED Witness to immunity from criminal prosecution for the offense or offenses in 
26 
which [his] THE testimony will be given or used and [all the rights and benefits provided 
27 
under Section 8 hereof] THE COURT SHALL ORDER THE DISCHARGE AND 
28 
EXCLUSION OF THE SAID WITNESS FROM THE INFORMATION." 
29 
SEC. 3. 
A new section (Section 12-A) shall be inserted between Section 12 and Section 13 
30 
of the same Act, which shall read as follows: 
31 
"SEC. 12-A. 
PERPETUA TlON OF TESTIMONY. -
A WITNESS ONCE 
32 
ADMITTED 
INTO 
THE 
PROGRAM 
SHALL 
PERPETUATE 
THE 
TESTIMONY 
33 
PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF COURT." 
34 
SEC. 4. 
Sections 13, 14, 15 and 17 of the same Act are hereby amended to read as 
35 
follows: 
36 
"SEC. 13. Failure or Refusal of the Witness to COOPERATE OR Testify. - [Any 
37 
Witness registered in the Program who fails or refuses to testify or to continue to testify 
38 
without just cause when lawfully obliged to do so, shall be prosecuted for contempt. If he 
39 
testifies falsely or evasively, he shall be liable to prosecution for perjury. 
If a State 
40 
Witness fails or refuses to testify, or testifies falsely or evasively, or violates any condition 
41 
accompanying such immunity without just cause as determined in a hearing by the proper 


8 
court, his immunity shall be removed and he shall be subject to contempt or criminal 
2 
prosecution. Moreover, the enjoyment of all rights and benefits under this Act shall be 
3 
deemed terminated.] 
4 
"[The Witness may, however, purge himself of the contumacious acts by testifying at 
5 
any appropriate stage of the proceedings.] 
6 
"A WITNESS COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM WHO UNJUSTLY FAILS OR 
7 
REFUSES 
TO 
COOPERATE 
OR 
TESTIFY 
IN 
THE 
INVESTIGATION 
OR 
8 
PROSECUTION OF A CASE OR WHO GIVES FALSE OR MISLEADING TESTIMONY 
9 
SHALL BE CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, SUFFER 
10 
THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR (4) YEARS BUT NOT 
11 
EXCEEDING SIX (6) YEARS. THE WITNESS SHALL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO 
12 
RESTITUTE ALL THE PROGRAM'S EXPENSES RELATIVE TO HIS COVERAGE 
13 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO PROSECUTION FOR CONTEMPT UNDER OTHER 
14 
EXISTING LAWS." 
15 
"SEC. 14. Compelled Testimony. - Any Witness admitted into the Program pursuant 
16 
to Sections 3 and 10 of this Act cannot refuse to testify or give evidence or produce 
17 
books, documents, records or writings necessary for the prosecution of the offense or 
18 
offenses for which [he] ONE has been admitted into the Program on the ground of the 
19 
constitutional right against self-incrimination. 
[but he] THE WITNESS shall enjoy 
20 
immunity from criminal prosecution and [cannot] SHALL NOT be subjected to any penalty 
21 
or forfeiture for any transaction, matter or thing concerning his compelled testimony or 
22 
books, documents, records or writings produced. 
23 
"In case of refusal of THE Witness to testify or give evidence or produce books, 
24 
documents, records, or writings, on the ground of the right against self-incrimination, and 
25 
the PUBLIC prosecutor or investigator believes that such evidence is absolutely 
26 
necessary for a successful prosecution of the offense or offenses charged or under 
27 
investigation, he, with the prior approval of the Department, shall file a petition with the 
28 
appropriate court for the issuance of an order requiring said Witness to testify, give 
29 
evidence or produce the books, documents, records, and writings described, and the court 
30 
shall issue the proper order. 
31 
"The court, upon motion of the PUBLIC prosecutor or investigator, shall order the 
32 
arrest and detention of the Witness in any jail contiguous to the place of trial or 
33 
investigation until such time that the Witness is willing to give such testimony or produce 
34 
such documentary evidence." 
35 
"SEC. 15. [Perjury or] Contempt. -
No Witness shall be exempt from prosecution 
36 
for [perjury or] contempt committed while giving testimony or producing evidence under 
37 
compulsion pursuant to this Act. [The penalty next higher in degree shall be imposed in 
38 
case of conviction for perjury.] The procedure prescribed under Rule 71 of the Rules of 
39 
Court shall be followed in contempt proceedings but the penalty to be imposed shall not 
40 
be less than one (1) month but not more than one (1) year imprisonment." 
41 
"SEC. 17. Penalty for Harassment of Witness. -
Any person who harasses a 
42 
Witness [and thereby hinders, delays, prevents or dissuades a Witness] BY REASON OF 


9 
THE SWORN STATEMENT OR TESTIMbNY GIVEN BY THE LATTER, OR WHO 
2 
ATTEMPTS TO HINDER, DELAY, PREVENT OR DISSUADE THE WITNESS from: 
3 
"a) Attending or testifying before any judicial or quasi-judicial body or investigating 
4 
authority; 
5 
"b) Reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge the commission or possible 
6 
commission of an offense, or a violation of conditions or probation, parole, or release 
7 
pending judicial proceedings; 
8 
"c) Seeking the arrest of another person in connection with the offense; 
9 
"d) Causing a criminal prosecution, or a proceeding for the revocation of a parole or 
10 
probation; or 
11 
"e) Performing and enjoying the rights and benefits under this Act [or attempts to do 
12 
so,] shall be fined not more than [Three thousand pesos (P3,OOO.OO)] TWENTY 
13 
THOUSAND PESOS (P20,OOO,00) or suffer imprisonment of not less than [six (6) 
14 
months] TWO (2) YEARS but not more than [one (1) year,] FOUR (4) YEARS, OR BOTH. 
15 
[or both. He shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public 
16 
office in case of a public officer.] 
17 
"IN ADDlTlON, THE PENALTY OF PERPETUAL DISQUALIFICATION FROM 
18 
HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON THE OFFENDER WHO IS A 
19 
PUBLIC OFFICER." 
20 
SEC. 5. 
A new section (Section 17-A) is hereby inserted in Republic Act No. 6981 which 
21 
shall read as follows: 
22 
"SEC. 17-A. 
23 
ANY PROVISION 
CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS. -
IN CASE OF DOUBT, 
OF THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF THE 
24 
ADMISSION OF THE WITNESS." 
25 
SEC. 6. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall 
26 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
27 
SEC. 7. 
Rules and Regulations. -
The Department of Justice shall promulgate the 
28 
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
29 
SEC. 8. 
Separability Clause. -
If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared 
30 
unconstitutional or invalid, such shall not invalidate any other section of this Act. 
31 
SEC. 9, 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances or 
32 
parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
33 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity Clause. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
34 
publication in at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,