1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO ‘BRO. EDDIE’ C. VILLANUEVA 
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," APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR  
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Witnesses are indispensable in the success of prosecuting an 
administrative, criminal, or legislative case. They are essential in finding 
the truth of a matter under investigation. Oftentimes, however, agreeing 
to be a witness comes at a tremendous cost for the witness. Their lives, 
property, reputation, and safety, as well as those of their family, become 
the subject of threats, intimidation, harassment or physical violence.  
Thus, it is incumbent upon the State to step in to ensure their safety and 
welfare. 
In 1991, Congress addressed these concerns by enacting Republic 
Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness Protection, Security and 
Benefit Act.”  However, this Act, which was created more than twenty 
years ago, must be amended to further strengthen the protection provided 
to witnesses under the Program. 
October 24, 2022
8:00 am
5660


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This bill aims to provide more benefits to witnesses and their family 
members, such as increasing the educational benefits given to the 
children of the witness.  These benefits aim to encourage witnesses to 
speak out the truth in vital investigations and in the pursuit of justice. 
This bill also increases the penalties against witnesses who unjustly 
fail to cooperate in testifying in investigations, by compelling them to 
reimburse all expenses spent on his protection. This is to ensure that the 
State will not waste precious resources on individuals who have already 
availed of the benefits of the program and yet renege on their duty to aid 
in the prosecution of a case. 
By providing further benefits and strengthening the protections 
given to witnesses, the rule of law will be protected.  
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


3
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO ‘BRO. EDDIE’ C. VILLANUEVA 
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," APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR  
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
1 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the 
4 
“Enhanced Witness Protection Act.”  
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Sections 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Republic Act No. 6981, 
7 
otherwise known as the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act," 
8 
are hereby amended to read as follows: 
9 
10 
“SEC. 3. Admission into the Program. - Any person who has 
11 
witnessed or has knowledge or information on the 
12 
commission of a crime and has testified or is testifying or 
13 
about to testify before any judicial or quasi-judicial body, or 
14 
before any investigating authority, may be admitted into the 
15 
Program:  
16 
17 
Provided, That: 
18 
19 
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a) The offense [in] FOR which [his] THE testimony will be used 
1 
is a grave felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code, 
2 
or its equivalent under special laws;  
3 
 
4 
b) [his] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated in its 
5 
material points; 
6 
 
7 
c) [he] THE WITNESS or any member of [his] THE WITNESS' 
8 
family within the second civil degree of consanguinity or 
9 
affinity is subjected to threats to life or bodily injury or there is 
10 
a likelihood that [he] THE WITNESS will be killed, forced, 
11 
intimidated, harassed or corrupted [to prevent him] SO AS TO 
12 
BE PREVENTED from testifying, or to testify falsely or 
13 
evasively, because or on account of [his] THE testimony 
14 
GIVEN; and 
15 
 
16 
d) [he] THE WITNESS is not a law enforcement officer, [even 
17 
if he would be testifying] UNLESS THE TESTIMONY TO BE 
18 
GIVEN WILL BE against other law enforcement officer(s). [In 
19 
such a case, only the immediate members of his family may 
20 
avail themselves of the protection provided for under this Act.]  
21 
 
22 
IF, UPON THE DETERMINATION OF LAW ENFORCERS, 
23 
THERE IS A NECESSITY TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO 
24 
A POTENTIAL WITNESS DURING THE INITIAL STAGES 
25 
OF INVESTIGATION, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY 
26 
MAY 
RECOMMEND 
TO 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
THE 
27 
TEMPORARY 
ADMISSION 
OF 
SUCH 
POTENTIAL 
28 
WITNESS.  
29 
 
30 
If the Department, after examination of said applicant and 
31 
other relevant facts, is convinced that the requirements of this 
32 
Act and its implementing rules and regulations have been 
33 
compiled with, it shall admit said applicant to the Program, 
34 
require said witness to execute a sworn statement detailing 
35 
[his] THE WITNESS' knowledge or information on the 
36 
commission of the crime, and thereafter issue the proper 
37 
certification. For purposes of this Act, any such person 
38 
admitted to the Program shall be known as the Witness. 
39 
 
40 
SEC. 5. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the 
41 
Person to be Protected. - Before a [person is provided] 
42 
WITNESS CAN AVAIL OF THE protection under this Act, 
43 
he/SHE shall [first execute] ENTER INTO a memorandum of 
44 
agreement WITH THE DEPARTMENT, which shall set forth 
45 
his/HER SPECIFIC responsibilities including: 
46 
 
47 
a) To testify before and provide information to all appropriate 
48 
law 
enforcement 
officials 
concerning 
all 
appropriate 
49 
proceedings in connection with or arising from the activities 
50 
involved in the offense charged; 
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5
 
1 
b) To avoid the commission of a crime; 
2 
 
3 
c) To take all necessary precautions to avoid detection by 
4 
others of the facts concerning the protection provided under 
5 
this Act; 
6 
 
7 
d) To comply with legal obligations and civil judgments against 
8 
him/HER; 
9 
 
10 
e) To cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of 
11 
officers and employees of the Government who are providing 
12 
protection under this Act; [and] 
13 
 
14 
f) To regularly inform the appropriate program official of 
15 
his/HER current activities and address;  
16 
 
17 
G) TO NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANY ADVERSE PARTY, 
18 
OR NEGOTIATE FOR OR ENTER INTO, AN AMICABLE 
19 
SETTLEMENT ON THE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ASPECT OF 
20 
THE 
OFFENSE 
SUBJECT 
OF 
THE 
CASE 
OR 
21 
INVESTIGATION; AND 
22 
 
23 
H) TO COMPLY WITH SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS AS THE 
24 
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DEEM PROPER TO 
25 
IMPOSE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION OR 
26 
PROSECUTION OF THE CASE OR TO PRESERVE THE 
27 
INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAM."  
28 
 
29 
SEC. 6. Breach of the Memorandum of Agreement. - 
30 
Substantial breach of the memorandum of agreement shall be 
31 
a ground for the IMMEDIATE termination of the BENEFITS 
32 
AND protection provided under this Act [:Provided, however, 
33 
That before terminating such protection]. The Secretary of 
34 
Justice shall send a WRITTEN notice to the person involved 
35 
of the termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided 
36 
under this Act, stating therein the reason for such termination. 
37 
 
38 
SEC. 7. Confidentiality [of proceedings]. All [proceedings] 
39 
MATTERS involving [application for] admission [into] AND 
40 
COVERAGE UNDER the Program [and the action taken 
41 
thereon] shall be confidential in nature, INCLUDING, BUT 
42 
NOT LIMITED TO, THE WITNESS IDENTIFY, SUBJECT 
43 
MATTER OF DISCLOSURE, AND PERSON TO WHOM 
44 
SUCH DISCLOSURE IS MADE. No information or documents 
45 
[given or submitted in support thereof] RELATIVE THERETO 
46 
shall be released except upon written order of the Department 
47 
or the proper court.  
48 
 
49 
Any person who violates [the confidentiality of said 
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6
proceedings] THIS PROVISION shall, upon conviction, be 
1 
punished with imprisonment of not less than [one (1) year] 
2 
FOUR (4) YEARS but not more than six (6) years and 
3 
deprivation of the right to hold a public office or employment 
4 
for a period of five (5) years. 
5 
 
6 
NO INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 
7 
SHALL BE ISSUED BY ANY COURT ENJOINING THE 
8 
ADMISSION OF THE WITNESS IN THE PROGRAM BY THE 
9 
DEPARTMENT. 
10 
 
11 
“SEC. 8. Rights and Benefits. - The Witness shall have the 
12 
RIGHTS TO SECURITY AND PROTECTION AS WELL AS 
13 
THE following [rights and] benefits: 
14 
 
15 
a) To have a secure housing facility until [he] THE WITNESS 
16 
has testified or until the threat, intimidation or harassment 
17 
disappears or is reduced to a manageable or tolerable level. 
18 
When the circumstances warrant, the Witness shall be 
19 
entitled to relocation and/or change of personal identity at the 
20 
expense of the Program. This right TO A SECURE HOUSING 
21 
FACILITY AND RELOCATION may be extended to any 
22 
member of the family of the Witness within the second [civil] 
23 
degree of consanguinity or affinity UPON SATISFACTION OF 
24 
THE REASONABLE CONDITIONS THE DEPARTMENT 
25 
SHALL SET FORTH IN THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND 
26 
REGULATIONS OF THIS ACT. 
27 
 
28 
b) TO HAVE A CHANGE OF PERSONAL IDENTITY, WHICH 
29 
MAY 
INCLUDE 
A 
CHANGE 
IN 
PHYSIOLOGICAL 
30 
APPEARANCE 
OR 
CHANGE 
OF 
NAME. 
THE 
31 
DEPARTMENT, UPON APPLICATION OF THE WITNESS 
32 
COVERED 
UNDER 
THE 
PROGRAM 
AND 
IN 
33 
ACCORDANCE 
WITH 
THE 
RULES 
WHICH 
THE 
34 
DEPARTMENT SHALL HEREAFTER PROMULGATE, MAY 
35 
ORDER A CHANGE OF THE FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME, 
36 
AND/OR FAMILY NAME OF THE WITNESS COVERED, 
37 
WITHOUT NEED OF A SEPARATE JUDICIAL ORDER OR 
38 
ADMINISTRATIVE 
PROCEEDING, 
WITH 
PROPER 
39 
COORDINATION WITH CONCERNED GOVERNMENT 
40 
AGENCIES. 
PURSUANT 
TO 
SUCH 
ORDER, 
THE 
41 
DEPARTMENT 
MAY 
DIRECT 
ALL 
CONCERNED 
42 
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE 
43 
NECESSARY ENTRIES IN SUCH A MANNER THAT 
44 
ENSURES 
THE 
CONFIDENTIALITY 
OF 
THE 
45 
PROCEEDINGS AND AVOID A DISCLOSURE OF THE 
46 
IDENTITY OF THE WITNESS.  
47 
 
48 
c) The Department shall, whenever practicable, assist the 
49 
Witness in obtaining a means of livelihood. The Witness 
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7
relocated pursuant to this Act shall be entitled to a financial 
1 
assistance from the Program for his/HER support and that of 
2 
his/HER family in such amount and for such duration as the 
3 
Department shall determine.  
4 
 
5 
d) In no case shall the Witness be removed from or demoted 
6 
in work because or on account of [his] THE WITNESS’ 
7 
absences due to [his] attendance before any judicial or quasi-
8 
judicial body or investigating authority, including legislative 
9 
investigations in aid of legislation, in going thereto and in 
10 
coming therefrom: Provided, That [his] THE WITNESS’ 
11 
employer is notified through a certification issued by the 
12 
Department, within a period of thirty (30) days from the date 
13 
when the Witness last reported for work: Provided, further, 
14 
That in the case of prolonged transfer or permanent 
15 
relocation, the employer shall have the option to remove the 
16 
Witness from employment after securing clearance from the 
17 
Department, upon the recommendation of the Department of 
18 
Labor and Employment (DOLE).   
19 
 
20 
Any Witness who failed to report for work because of witness 
21 
duty shall be [paid his] GIVEN AN ALLOWANCE BY THE 
22 
DEPARTMENT equivalent TO THE WITNESS’ salaries or 
23 
wages corresponding to the number of THE WITNESS’ days 
24 
of absence FROM WORK occasioned by the Program. IF 
25 
THE EMPLOYER REMOVES THE WITNESS FROM 
26 
EMPLOYMENT UPON SECURING A CLEARANCE FROM 
27 
THE DEPARTMENT DUE TO PROLONGED TRANSFER OR 
28 
PERMANENT RELOCATION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 
29 
GIVE AN ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE EQUIVALENT TO 
30 
ONE (1) MONTH PAY OR ONE (1) MONTH FOR EVERY 
31 
YEAR OF SERVICE, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER. For 
32 
purposes of this Act, any fraction of a day shall constitute a 
33 
full day [salary or wage]. This provision shall be applicable to 
34 
both government and private employees.  
35 
 
36 
e) To be provided with reasonable travelling expenses and 
37 
subsistence allowance by the Program in such amount as the 
38 
Department may determine for his attendance in the court, 
39 
body or authority where [his] THE WITNESS' testimony is 
40 
required, as well as conferences and interviews with 
41 
prosecutors or investigating officers. 
42 
 
43 
f) To be provided with NECESSARY free medical 
44 
ATTENTION, treatment, hospitalization and medicines, 
45 
PARTICULARLY for any injury, [or] illness OR ANY OTHER 
46 
MEDICAL CONDITION incurred or suffered by [him because 
47 
of] THE WITNESS OR BY HIS/HER SPOUSE AND MINOR 
48 
OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHILE ON witness duty OR 
49 
WHILE IN THE TEMPORARY SHELTER PROVIDED BY 
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8
THE PROGRAM in any private or public hospital, clinic, or at 
1 
any such institution at the expense of the Program.  
2 
 
3 
WITNESS DUTY SHALL INCLUDE THE ATTENDANCE OF 
4 
THE WITNESS IN THE COURT, BODY OR AUTHORITY 
5 
WHERE THE TESTIMONY IS REQUIRED, AS WELL AS 
6 
CONFERENCES, 
INTERVIEWS, 
AND/OR 
7 
INVESTIGATIONS 
WITH 
PROSECUTORS 
OR 
8 
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS. A 
WITNESS WHO IS 
9 
RELOCATED 
TO 
AN 
ACCREDITED 
WITNESS 
10 
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM 
11 
TEMPORARY SHELTER SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO BE 
12 
UNDER WITNESS DUTY FOR THE DURATION OF 
13 
HIS/HER STAY IN SAID TEMPORARY SHELTER. 
14 
 
15 
g) If a Witness is killed[,] because of participation in the 
16 
Program, [his] THE WITNESS' heirs shall be entitled to a 
17 
burial benefit of not less than [Ten Thousand pesos 
18 
(P10,000.00)] 
FIVE 
HUNDRED 
THOUSAND 
PESOS 
19 
(P500,000.00) from the Program exclusive of any other similar 
20 
benefits [he] THE WITNESS may be entitled to under other 
21 
existing laws. 
22 
 
23 
h) [In case of death or permanent incapacity, his] THE 
24 
WITNESS' minor or dependent children shall be entitled to 
25 
free education AND/OR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, from 
26 
primary to college level in any state, or private school, college 
27 
or university [as may be determined by the Department,] as 
28 
long 
as 
they 
shall 
have 
qualified 
thereto. 
THE 
29 
 
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HEREIN PROVIDED CAN 
30 
BE AVAILED OF BY THE WITNESS’ MINOR OR 
31 
DEPENDENT CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY, SECONDARY 
32 
AND TERTIARY EDUCATION; PROVIDED, THAT FOR 
33 
TERTIARY 
EDUCATION, 
THE 
EDUCATIONAL 
34 
ASSISTANCE SHALL IN NO CASE EXCEED FIVE (5) 
35 
YEARS.” 
36 
 
37 
i) IN CASE THE WITNESS IS A SENIOR CITIZEN OR A 
38 
PERSON WITH DISABILITY, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 
39 
COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF 
40 
SENIOR CITIZENS AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES, 
41 
SHALL PROVIDE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS THAT 
42 
ADDRESS 
THEIR 
NEEDS, 
AS 
APPROPRIATE, 
43 
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MEDICAL CARE AND 
44 
ASSISTANCE AND PALLIATIVE CARE.  
45 
 
46 
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSESS AND EVALUATE, ON 
47 
AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE PROGRAM, AND SHALL 
48 
DEVELOP 
AND 
ESTABLISH 
PROCESSES 
AND 
49 
PROCEDURES 
FOR 
WITNESS 
PROTECTION 
AND 
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9
SECURITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY 
1 
RECOGNIZED BEST PRACTICES.  
2 
 
3 
SEC. 3. Sections 10 and 12 of the same Act are hereby amended 
4 
to read as follows: 
5 
 
6 
“SEC. 10. [State Witness] ADMISSION OF OFFENDERS. - 
7 
Any person who has participated in the commission of a crime 
8 
and desires to be a witness for the State, can apply and, if 
9 
qualified as determined in this Act and by the Department, 
10 
shall be admitted into the Program whenever the following 
11 
circumstances are present:  
12 
 
13 
a) 
The offense in which [his] THE testimony will be used is 
14 
a grave felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code or 
15 
its equivalent under special laws; 
16 
 
17 
b) There is absolute necessity for [his] THE testimony; 
18 
 
19 
c) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper 
20 
prosecution of the offense committed; 
21 
 
22 
d) [his] THE testimony can be substantially corroborated on 
23 
its material points; 
24 
 
25 
e) [he] THE PERSON does not appear to be most guilty; and 
26 
 
27 
f) [he] THE PERSON has not at any time been convicted of 
28 
any crime involving moral turpitude. 
29 
 
30 
FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THE ADMISSION OF A 
31 
PERSON TO THE PROGRAM IS SEPARATE AND 
32 
DISTINCT FROM THE DISCHARGE OF AN ACCUSED 
33 
FROM AN INFORMATION OR CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BY 
34 
THE COURT IN ORDER THAT SAID ACCUSED MAY BE A 
35 
STATE WITNESS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 OF RULE 
36 
119 OF THE REVISED RULES OF COURT. 
37 
 
38 
An accused discharged from an information or criminal 
39 
complaint by the court in order that [he] THE ACCUSED may 
40 
be a State Witness pursuant to [Section 9 and 10] SECTION 
41 
17 of Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Court may, upon [his] 
42 
petition, be admitted to the Program [if he complies] UPON 
43 
COMPLIANCE with the other requirements of this Act. 
44 
Nothing in this Act shall prevent the discharge of an accused 
45 
QUALIFIED TO ACT as a State Witness under SECTION 17, 
46 
Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Court.” 
47 
 
48 
“SEC. 12. Effect of Admission of a Witness into the 
49 
Program. - The certification of admission into the Program by 
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10 
the Department shall be given full faith and credit by the 
1 
provincial or city prosecutor who is required not to include the 
2 
Witness in the criminal complaint or information and if 
3 
included therein, to petition the court for [his] THE discharge 
4 
PURSUANT TO THIS ACT in order that he/SHE can be 
5 
utilized as a State Witness. The Court shall order the 
6 
discharge and exclusion of the said accused from the 
7 
information.  
8 
 
9 
Admission into the Program shall AUTOMATICALLY entitle 
10 
such State Witness to immunity from criminal prosecution for 
11 
the offense or offenses in which [his] THE testimony will be 
12 
given or used and all the rights and benefits provided under 
13 
Section 8 hereof.”  
14 
 
15 
SEC. 4. A new Section 12-A is hereby inserted to read as follows:  
16 
 
17 
“SEC. 12-A. PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY. - A 
18 
WITNESS, ONCE ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM, 
19 
SHALL PERPETUATE HIS/HER TESTIMONY PURSUANT 
20 
TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF COURT.” 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 5. Sections 13 of the same Act is hereby deleted in its entirety 
23 
and replace with the following new Section 13:  
24 
 
25 
“SEC. 13. FAILURE OR REFUSAL OF THE WITNESS TO 
26 
COOPERATE OR TESTIFY. - A WITNESS COVERED 
27 
UNDER THE PROGRAM WHO UNJUSTLY FAILS OR 
28 
REFUSES TO COOPERATE OR TESTIFY IN THE 
29 
INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF A CASE OR WHO 
30 
GIVES FALSE OR MISLEADING TESTIMONY SHALL BE 
31 
CRIMINALLY 
PROSECUTED 
AND 
SHALL, 
UPON 
32 
CONVICTION, 
SUFFER 
THE 
PENALTY 
OF 
33 
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR (4) YEARS 
34 
BUT NOT EXCEEDING SIX (6) YEARS. THE WITNESS 
35 
SHALL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO RESTITUTE ALL THE 
36 
EXPENSES INCURRED RELATIVE TO HIS/HER AND 
37 
HIS/HER FAMILY’S COVERAGE UNDER THE PROGRAM, 
38 
WITHOUT 
PREJUDICE 
TO 
PROSECUTION 
FOR 
39 
CONTEMPT AND OTHER CRIMES UNDER EXISTING 
40 
LAWS.” 
41 
 
42 
SEC. 6. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
43 
follows:  
44 
 
45 
“SEC. 17. Penalty for Harassment of Witness. - Any person 
46 
who harasses a Witness [and thereby hinders, delays, 
47 
prevents or dissuades a] BY REASON OF THE SWORN 
48 
STATEMENT OR TESTIMONY GIVEN BY THE LATTER, OR 
49 
ATTEMPTS TO HINDER, DELAY, PREVENT OR DISSUADE 
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11 
THE Witness from:  
1 
 
2 
a) Attending or testifying before any judicial or quasi-judicial 
3 
body or investigating authority;  
4 
 
5 
b) Reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge the 
6 
commission or possible commission of an offense, or a 
7 
violation of conditions or probation, parole, or release pending 
8 
judicial proceedings; 
9 
 
10 
c) Seeking the arrest of another person in connection with the 
11 
offense; 
12 
 
13 
d) Causing a criminal prosecution, or a proceeding for the 
14 
revocation of a parole or probation; or 
15 
 
16 
e) Performing and enjoying the rights and benefits under this 
17 
Act,  
18 
 
19 
shall be fined not more than [Three thousand pesos 
20 
(P3,000.00)] TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,000.00) or 
21 
suffer Imprisonment of not less [six (6) months] TWO (2) 
22 
YEARS but not more than [one (1) year] FOUR (4) YEARS, 
23 
or both, and he shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual 
24 
disqualification from holding public office in case of a public 
25 
officer.” 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 7. A new Section 17-A is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
28 
 
29 
“SEC. 17-A. CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS - IN CASE 
30 
OF DOUBT, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE 
31 
CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF THE ADMISSION OF THE 
32 
WITNESS INTO THE PROGRAM.” 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
35 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
36 
Appropriations Act. 
37 
 
38 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
39 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice, in 
40 
consultation with appropriate government agencies and other relevant 
41 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
42 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
43 
 
44 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this 
45 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such shall not invalidate 
46 
any other section of this Act. 
47 
 
48 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, 
49 
regulations, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
50 


 
 
12 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
1 
 
2 
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
3 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
4 
newspapers of general circulation. 
5 
 
6 
Approved, 
7