Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND 
BENEFIT PROGRAM BY INCREASING THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF 
WITNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES, 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 
Article 2, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides: 
“The maintenance of peace and order, the 
protection of life, liberty, and property, and 
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of 
democracy.” 
Article 2, Section 27 of the Constitution also provides: 
“The State shall maintain honesty and integrity 
in the public service and take positive and effective 
measures against graft and corruption.” 
In 2008, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on extra- judicial, 
summary or arbitrary executions, Professor Philip Alston, recommended 
reforms to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Philippines through 
possible amendments to improve Republic Act No. 6981 or the Witness 
Protection, Security and Benefit Act.1 
1 Reforms required to protect witnesses in the Philippines. 
<http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/journals-magazines/article2/1001/appendix-
reforms-required-to-protect-witnesses-in-the-philippines>. 
November 2, 2021
12:02 pm
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Currently, the law only provides a lamentable amount, as a minimum, 
of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to families of witnesses under the WPP 
if their family member is killed during his participation in the program. 
This bill seeks to address some of the deficiencies in the current Witness 
Protection Program by proposing amendments to RA 6981. It is the hope of 
this measure to provide greater protection, rights, and benefits, to witnesses 
and their families against high-ranking government officials from political 
interference and control. This can be done by increasing the financial 
assistance for heirs of murdered witnesses who were under the WPP. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND 
BENEFIT PROGRAM BY INCREASING THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF 
WITNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES, 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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the 
Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Sec. 8. Rights and Benefits. – The witness shall have the 
following rights and benefits: 
…. 
(f) If a Witness is killed, because of his participation in the
Program, his heirs shall be entitled to a burial benefit AND 
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE of not less than [Ten thousand pesos 
(P10,000.00] FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00) 
from the Program exclusive of any other similar benefits he may 
be entitled to under other existing laws. 
(g) [In case of death or permanent incapacity, his minor or
dependent children shall be entitled to free education, from 
primary to college level in any state, or private school, college or 
university as may be determined by the Department, as long as 
they shall have qualified thereto.] IF A WITNESS IS KILLED, 
BECAUSE OF HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, HIS 
DEPENDENT CHILDREN, UP TO THE FOURTH CHILD, SHALL 
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BE ENTITLED TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OF UP TO A 
MAXIMUM OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) PER 
SEMESTER, 
UNTIL 
THE 
DEPENDENT 
FINISHES 
FROM 
TERTIARY EDUCATION.  
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW THE AMOUNTS 
EVERY FIVE YEARS, AND SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO 
CONGRESS AT THE END OF THE FIFTH YEAR, ON WHETHER 
ADJUSTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO SUCH FINANCIAL AIDS.” 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,