Senate
of tljf fef(telai7>
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
23 JHN19 P5:30
SENA
S.B. No. mi
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
TO ENCOURAGE GOOD SAMARITANS WHO PROVIDE REASONABLE 
ASSISTANCE DURING AN EMERGENCY BY PROTECTING THEM FROM
LIABILITY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Filipino value of "malasaklf or compassion is manifest in the way our 
countrymen readily reach out to help others in times of calamity, disaster, and social 
unrest, even when the act of helping may put the one seeking to assist in harm's way. 
This character of altruism is perhaps best illustrated in the well-known parable of the 
Good Samaritan whereby a Samaritan, in a time of deep hate and antagonism between 
Jews and Samaritans existed, went out of his way to feed, clothe, and bring a robbed 
and heavily-injured Jewish traveler to an inn after the same man was ignored and 
abandoned at the side of the road by those expected to help by virtue of their 
professions - a priest and a Levite. Surely, the Good Samaritan's behavior should be 
emulated and encouraged in today's struggling society.
Under current law, we have the New Civil Code provision (Article 2167) which 
requires an injured or seriously-ill person, treated or helped while he is not in a 
condition to give consent to a contract, to pay for the services of a physician or other 
person aiding him, unless the service has been rendered out of pure generosity (an 
implied contract). Under the Revised Penal Code (Article 275), the penalty of arresto 
mayorshaW be imposed on any person "who shall fail to render assistance to any person 
whom he shall find in an uninhabited place wounded or in danger of dying, when he 
can render such assistance without detriment to himself, unless such omission shall 
constitute a more serious offense."
Under these provisions, the lives and safety of persons are sought to be 
protected by (1) ensuring that one who renders assistance is compensated for any
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expense he or she paid for a stranger who is seriously ill or injured, and (2) punishing 
a person who abandons another while the latter is in danger when he or she is capable 
to render such assistance. Both provide for a positive externality (giving compensation 
or imposing punishment) to reinforce the desired behavior (helping others). This bill 
seeks to provide a negative externality (removal of liability) to further encourage the 
desired act of altruism among Filipinos. Specifically, this bill seeks to exempt any Good 
Samaritan acting in good faith to assist another who is in danger, wounded, or requires 
immediate medical assistance, from any subsequent liability due to injury, loss of life, 
or damage to property as a result of such act.
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
R. MARCOS


^eiiais
^ 
of tlif featfiniy
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
F/rst Regular Session 
)
23 JAN 19 P5 30
SENATE
S.B. No. 1711
RtCElVCOBV.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
TO ENCOURAGE GOOD SAMARITANS WHO PROVIDE REASONABLE 
ASSISTANCE DURING AN EMERGENCY BY PROTECTING THEM FROM
LIABILITY
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "GoodSamaritan Act".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Section 11, Article II of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution provides that the State shall value the dignity of every human person and 
guarantees full respect for human rights. To augment this principle, Section 1, Article 
XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that Congress must give the highest priority to 
the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to 
human dignity, reduce social, economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural 
inequalities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.
It is hereby declared as the policy of the State to provide measures that ensure 
that those who act in aid or assistance to others in good faith shall be protected from 
civil or criminal liability for any event resulting from their act of rescuing or otherwise 
providing medical or other emergency assistance to those who are wounded, seriously 
ill, or in danger of dying or severe injury.
SEC. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following shall be defined as 
follows:
(1) 'Good Samaritan" shall refer to an individual performing volunteer 
services who does not receive compensation to reasonably assist a person in an 
emergency; and


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(2) "Emergency" shall refer to a situation requiring immediate attention and 
remedial action involving a sudden, unexpected, and impending threat to life, health, 
or safety of a person.
SEC. 4. Liability Protection for Good Samaritans. — No good Samaritan shall 
be liable for any harm caused by an act or omission if:
(1) The Good Samaritan was acting in good faith in an emergency at the time 
of the act or omission;
(2) if appropriate or required, the Good Samaritan was properly licensed, 
certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities for the activities undertaken in 
an emergency at the time of the act or omission; and
(3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, 
reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the 
individual harmed by the Good Samaritan.
SEC. 5. Exceptions. -The liability protection for Good Samaritans under this Act 
shall not apply to any misconduct that:
(1) constitutes a crime; or
(2) was performed under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any dangerous 
drugs at the time of the misconduct
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. -If for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other 
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,