FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 111, Section 19(2) provides: 
The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment 
against any prisoner or detainee, or the use of substandard or inadequate penal 
facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law. 
Torture is the strategic use of pain to destroy both individuals and society. The effects of 
torture are long term. Those effects, in fact, can last a lifetime for the survivors and affect future 
generations. 
Torture victims remain under physical and psychological threats, especially in 
communities a--ere the perpetrators are not brouL It to justice. In many instances, even those 
who treat torture victims are threatened with reprisals, including torture, for carrying out their 
ethical duties to provide care. 
Both the survivors of torture and their treatment providers deserve protection from further 
repression, Hence, this bill seeks to provide a comprehensive program of support for victims of 
torture. 
* This bill was re-filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
~~ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF SUPPORT FOR 
VICTIMS OF TORTURE 
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 “Comprehensive Torture 
Victims Relief Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Definition. -As used in this Act, the term: 
(A) “Torture” means the employment of physical, psychological or degrading punishment 
against person or, with respect to any prisoner or detainee, the use of substandard or 
inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions. Torture also includes the use 
of rape and other forms of sexual violence by a person acting under the color of law 
upon another person under his custody or physical control. 
(B)“To return involuntarily,” in the case of an individual in any locale, means the 
following: 
(I) To return the individual without the individual’s consent, whether or not the 
return is induced by physical force. 
(2) To take an action by which it is reasonably foreseeable that the individual will 
be returned, whether or not the return is induced by physical force. 
SECTION 3. Prohibition on Involuntary Return of Persons Fearing Subjection to Torture 
- With respect to foreigners or non-Filipino citizens, the Philippines shall not expel, extradite, or 
return involuntarily an individual to a country if there is substantial evidence of circumstances 


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that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the individual would fear subjection to 
torture. 
SECTION 4. Assistance for Treatment of Torture Victims - The Secretary may provide 
grants to programs adopted in each regional domestic treatment center, in order to cover the cost 
of the following services: 
(A)Services for the rehabilitation of victims of torture, including treatment of the 
physical and psychological effects of torture. 
(B) Social and legal services for victims of torture. 
(C) Research and training for health care providers outside of treatment centers or 
programs €or the purpose of enabling such providers to provide the services described 
in paragraph (A). 
SECTION 5. Funding. - Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the 
Department of Health for each fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act relating to assistance for domestic 
centers and programs for the treatment of victims of torture. Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
this section shall remain available until expended. The same fhds shall also be used: 
(A)To find new ways to support and protect treatment centers and programs that are 
carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of torture; and 
(B) To encourage the development of new such centers and programs. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. 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. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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