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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PIHLIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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RECliiVEO
SENATE .  p
S.B. No. -L 5 A P
Introduced by Senator Richard j. Gordon
AN ACT
TO ENCOURAGE GOOD SAMARITANS WHO PROVIDE REASONABLE ASSISTANCE 
IN AN EMERGENCY BY PROTECTING THEM FROM LIABILITY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In line with the policies of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them, and to encourage the involvement of 
the people in public, social, and civic affairs that promote the welfare of the nation, the 
natural Filipino trait of malasakit must be promoted through proper legislation that 
encourage volunteerism.
A good Samaritan is defined as a person who voluntarily gives help to those in 
distress or need. It also means a compassionate person who unselfishly helps others, 
especially strangers, in reference to the parable of the good Samaritan in the Bible who 
aided a man who had been beaten and robbed in Luke 10:30-37.
In this bill, good Samaritans are individuals performing volunteer services who do 
not receive compensation to reasonably assist persons in an emergency. Timely and 
effective assistance in an emergency is a matter of vital concern affecting public health, 
safety, and welfare. This complements Republic Act No. 10871 or the Basic Life Support 
Training in Schools Act and encourages putting such training to good use. Good Samaritans 
will be protected from liability in providing reasonable assistance in an emergency as long 
as the good Samaritan was acting in an emergency; if appropriate or required, the good 
Samaritan was properly licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities for 
the activities undertaken in an emergency; and 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 another.
RICHARD J. GORDON
Senator


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B.No. 1416
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>45, 4 C P I.ur of t ilt  iT  rr.'t.trj*
*17 
HAY - 2  
A11 :27
RECLIVLD 3Y.
Introduced by Senator Richard |. Gordon
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AN ACT
TO ENCOURAGE GOOD SAMARITANS WHO PROVIDE REASONABLE ASSISTANCE 
IN AN EMERGENCY BY PROTECTING THEM FROM LIABILITY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Good Samaritan Act of
2017."
Sec. 2. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to encourage good Samaritans who 
provide reasonable assistance in an emergency by protecting them from liability.
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act,
(1) "Good Samaritan" shall refer to an individual performing volunteer services who 
does not receive compensation to reasonably assist a person in an emergency.
(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 fo r Good Sam aritans. - No good Samaritan shall be 
liable for harm caused by an act or omission if:
(1] the good Samaritan was acting 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 misconduct that:
(1) constitutes a crime; or
(2) was performed under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any dangerous 
drug at the time of the misconduct.


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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or other
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issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15] days following the
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completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation in the Philippines.
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Approved,