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, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 6981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, 
SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" 
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 
According to Prof. Alston, problems arise in highly political cases 
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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involving high-ranking government officials. This was apparent when the 
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had to develop their own witness 
protection program, notably for cases involving human rights violations by 
State-agents, and separate from the Department of Justice. Alston also noted 
the uneven application of the law. Currently, the law does not provide 
protection to policemen and the military, even if they were to testify against 
their superiors. As a result, these officers decide not to step forward and speak 
out against anomalies involving their superiors. Alston added that officers who 
do speak out against their superiors’ anomalies either testify without 
protection or pay the National Bureau of Investigation a certain fee to extend 
protection and security to themselves and their families 
This bill seeks to address some of the deficiencies of the current Witness 
Protection Program by proposing amendments to RA 6981. It is the hope of 
this measure to provide greater protection to witnesses against high-ranking 
government officials from political interference and control. This can be done 
by transferring the primary responsibility of the witnesses’ protection and 
security to the Commission on Human Rights, an independent body created 
under the Constitution. This bill also seeks to admit into the program law 
enforcement officers, who are testifying against their superiors and need 
witness protection and assistance. 
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, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 6981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, 
SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the 
Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Sec. 2. Implementation of Program. - The Department of 
Justice, hereinafter referred to as the Department, through its 
Secretary, shall formulate and implement a "Witness Protection, 
Security and Benefit Program", hereinafter referred to as the 
Program, pursuant to and consistent with the provisions of this 
Act. 
The Department may call upon any department, bureau, 
office or any other executive agency to assist in the 
implementation of the Program and the latter offices shall be 
under legal duty and obligation to render such assistance. 
HOWEVER, IN CASES WHERE THE WITNESS WILL BE 
TESTIFYING 
AGAINST 
HIGH-RANKING 
GOVERNMENT 
OFFICIALS OR MEMBERS OF SECURITY FORCES ACCUSED OF 
PERPETRATING CRIMES, AND WHERE THE WITNESS FALLS 
UNDER SECTION 3 (D) OF THIS RULE, THE DEPARTMENT 
SHALL CREATE AN INDEPENDENT AND SPECIAL SECURITY 
FORCE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SUCH WITNESSES. 
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HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE THOSE 
WHO ENJOY A SALARY GRADE OF 27 AND ABOVE.” 
SECTION 2. The Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the 
Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Sec. 3. Admission in the Program. - Any person who has 
witnessed or has knowledge or information on the commission of 
a crime and has testified or is testifying or about to testify before 
any judicial or quasi-judicial body, or before any investigating 
authority, may be admitted into the Program: 
…. 
(d) he is not a law enforcement officer, [even if he would be 
testifying] UNLESS THE TESTIMONY TO BE GIVEN WILL BE 
against other law enforcement officers. In such a case, [only] the 
immediate members of his family may ALSO avail themselves of 
the protection provided for under this Act.” 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 4. 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,