Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Ve
‘ae rea 2)

SIXTEENTH CONGRE!

irst Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 928

Introduced by Hon, Rodolfo G. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The tragic terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September
11,2001 shocked the world and woke every individual to the real threat posed by terrorists the
world over. Investigations after the attack revealed that the terrorist network spans several
countries and crosses over continents, recognizing no boundaries and defying laws of nations.

Terrorism has become a threat not only to the lives of individuals, but also to peace
and order, liberty, property, and general welfare essential for the enjoyment of the blessings
of democracy by all people. Terrorism then became the concern of every nation, each country
coming up with its own actions to address the terrorist threat. Anti-terrorism laws were either
passed or updated by the governments of the civilized world.

Even the Philippines passed its own Human Security Act in 2007 in order to provide
the government with a mechanism by which to counteract the terrorist scourge. However, a
mechanism that would facilitate the provision of vital information on terrorists by the people
must also be put into place.

This bill seeks to provide a reward system for persons who provide information
leading to the arrest or prosecution of terrorist or the prevention of terro
into law, this bill can help facilitate the enforcement of anti-terrorism laws in the country.
The rewards system proposed by this bill is not much different from that offered by the
United States government for information leading to the arrest, capture or prosecution of the
five prominent Abu Sayyaf personalities, an offer which was welcomed by the Philippine
Government.

In the pursuit of the principles of the Philippine Constitution which states that the
prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people and that the maintenance of
peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the enjoyment of the blessings of democracy by all people, the

passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RO! rae, BIAZO!

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City

ReECENED ON



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City
‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 523

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

AN ACT.
ESTABLISHING A REWARDS FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING TERRORISM
PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Rewards for Information Concerning
‘Terrorism Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. ~ Article Il Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states
that the prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. Section 5 of the same Article
of the Constitution states that 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.

Sec. 3. Policy and Objectives. — In the pursuit of the above stated principles, itis hereby
declared the policy of the State to protect the people from terrorist acts and provide the means and
systems to prevent and prosecute the commission of such acts.

Se
as follows:

4. Definition of Terms. ~ For the purpose of this Act, the follo

ng terms shall be defined

1) Terrorism — In this Act, “terrorism” means the use or threat of action where

4.) the use or threat is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the
public or a section of the public, and is made for the purpose of advancing a
Political, religious or ideological cause;

.) action involves serious violence against a person, serious damage to property,
endangers a person’s life, other than that of the person committing the action,
creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the
public, or is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously disrupt an electronic
system.

2) Terrorists ~ individuals who commit, conspire to commit or intend to commit acts of
terrorism, including those identified by foreign law enforcement entities and governments
as terrorists.

3) Terrorist Organization — any local or international organization involved in the
commission, conspiracy or intention to commit acts of terrorism.


Sec. 5. Rewards for Information. — There is hereby established a Rewards for Information
Concerning Terrorism Program under the Department of Justice to be administered by the Secretary
of Justice, which is authorized to grant rewards to individuals who furnishes information leading to:

a) the arrest or conviction of any person or persons for the commission of an act of terrorism
as defined in this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines;

b) the prevention, frustration or favorable resolution of an act of terrorism as defined in this,
‘Act; and

€)_ the prevention of entry into the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines of any person or
persons known or suspected to be terrorists or members of any terrorist organization

Sec. 6. Determination of Entitlement and Maximum Amount. ~The Secretary of Justice shall
determine whether an individual furnishing information described in Section 5 of this Act is entitled
to a reward and the amount to be paid. Under this Act, the reward may be in an amount not to exceed
Five Million Pesos (P 5,000,000.00). However, A reward of Five Hundred Thousand or more may not
bbe made without the written approval of the president,

Sec. 7. Withhold Identity: Witess Protection. ~ If its determined that the identity of the
recipient of a reward or of the members of the recipient’s immediate family must be protected, the
Secretary of Justice may withhold the identity of the recipient from the public or place the informant
under the Witness Protection Program; Provided, that any reward granted under this Act shall be
certified for payment by the Secretary of Justice.

See. 8. Exception of Government Officials. — No officer or employee of any government
entity, who while in the performance of his or her official duties, furnishes the information described
in Section 5 shall be eligible for any monetary reward under this Act.

See, 9. Penalty Provision. - any person who provides false or misleading information to avail
of or affect the grant of any reward under this Act shall be fined not more than Five Hundred
‘Thousand Pesos (P 500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one
year. If the person providing false or misleading information is a government official or employee,
part from the aforementioned penalty, he shall be immediately removed ftom office and perpetually
disqualified from holding any government position.

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Department of Justice shall promulgate
such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.

See. 11. Appropriations. ~The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
charged to the budget of the Department of Justice as provided in the current General Appropriations
Act.

‘Thereafter, the necessary sum for the implementation of this Act shall be provided in
subsequent General Appropriations Acts.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. — Any provisions of law, presidential decree, executive orders,
rules and regulations contrary to the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes

earlier.

Approved,