Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
‘Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No._ 2119

INTRODUCED BY: REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine President once said that there is an urgent need to amend the law
on witness protection. He underscored its importance in our country's drive against the
culture of showing fear to those who want to expose ills in government, as well as, to
those who want to shed light on unresolved and sensational crimes

It is very common during a trial or hearing related to a criminal prosecution that
the courts the residence address and telephone number and the place of business,
address and telephone number of any victim or or witness to the crime. However, doing
such revelations would entail dangerous repercussions on the security and ultimately on
the life of victims and witnesses. This should not be the case since allowing fear to set in
is very ideal for offender. In most instances their criminal cases would not prosper
thereby allowing them to be released much later with no strong deterrents like
imprisonment hindering them from committing crimes.

This bill seeks to prohibit the disclosure in open court of the abovementioned
information and other sensitive data that would reveal the location and whereabouts of
victims and witnesses. Furthermore, the proposed measure mandates that such victim
or witness shall not be required to provide the residence or place of business, address
and telephone number of any victim or witness to the crime in response to defense or
prosecution questioning, unless the court determines that there is a clear need for such
disclosure because the information is necessary and the fact of the case or to the
credibility of the witness

In light of the foregoing, urgent approval of this bill is sincerely sought.

Ma wth: / An
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

Representative, 1st District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No._2119

INTRODUCED BY: REP, MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIM'S AND WITNESS'
ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING RELATED
TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act may be known as the “Witness Confidentiality Act of
2013.”

SEC. 2. Confidentiality of Information in Open Court. ~ During a trial or hearing
related to a criminal prosecution, the court shall require that the residence address and
telephone number and the place of business, name, address and telephone number of
any victim or witness to the crime shall not be disclosed in open court, and that such
victim or witness shall not be required to provide the residence or place of business,
address and telephone number of any victim or witness to the crime in response to
defense or prosecution questioning, unless the court determines that there is a clear
need for such disclosure because the information is necessary and the fact of the case
or to the credibility of the witness.

The burden to establish the need and relevance for disclosure shall be on the
defense or the party seeking disclosure.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. — If any provisions or part hereof, is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,