NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
S.B. No. 1595
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*22 DEC-5 P6 50
RtCEiVEOBl,
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DEFINING WHO ARE INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS 
AND PENALIZING THEIR MALTREATMENT
The ceiling as the sky, and the four corners of a room that limit their world. 
This is the reality of institutionalized persons. But still, whatever may be the reason 
for their confinement, they do not shed their right to be treated humanely. Any form 
of abuse or maltreatment should thus be admonished.
No less than the Constitution provides that the State "values the dignity of every 
human person and guarantees full respect for human rights."
Abuse of institutionalized persons is alarming. When those institutionalized 
incarcerated whether for health reasons or as a legal consequence are mistreated due 
to poor or inadequate care or support, or systemic poor practice, the State must step 
up and cloak its people with a mantle of protection.
With their pleas for help muffled by the walls that cage them, they become 
more susceptible to maltreatment - sometimes, most unfortunately, at the hands of 
the very people supposed to look after them. What makes the passage of this measure 
all necessary are the documented rise in the rates of abuse institutionalized cases in 
the pandemic. When the world stopped and the economy shut down, this sector has 
become even more marginalized. The closures and the protocols widened the gap 
even further - when the eyes were turned away, the abuses persisted.
This proposed measure seeks to not only shed a light into the horrors that some 
institutionalized persons suffer from, but also a lend our voice to them so that the 
protection that they are entitled to, will be afforded to them.
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Serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences inflicted by 
the people whose job entails an expectation of trust - to care for and not to harm, 
are at the height of cruelty. Institutionalized persons deserve no less than watchful 
eyes that would guarantee that they remain safe and protected as they are confined 
outside public view and under situations that make it more difficult to complain.
In view of the foregoing, urgent passage of this measure is most earnestly 
sought.
RAMO
lONG REVILLA, JR.r


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
senate
of ll)c e'c:1 ersn'
•22 OEC-5 P6 SO
S.B. No.
SENATE1595
RECEI'/ED BV:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DEFINING WHO ARE INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS 
AND PENALIZING THEIR MALTREATMENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as "Institutionalized Protection
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Act of 2019".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to provide social
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services to institutionalized persons and to respect their dignity by ensuring that the
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persons in charge of their care and maintenance treat them properly.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined as follows:
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(a) "Institution" shall refer to any facility or institution which is owned, 
operated, or managed by, or provides services on behalf of the government 
or its political subdivision and which function is to provide skilled nursing, 
intermediate or long-term care, or custodial or residential care.
(b) "Institutionalized Persons" shall refer to persons kept in an institution 
defined in this Act who are:
1. Mentally ill, disabled, retarded, or chronically ill or 
handicapped;
2. In jail, either by final judgment or under detention; or
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3. Juveniles-
a. Held awaiting trial;
b. Residing in such facility or institution for purposes of 
receiving care or treatment; or
c. Residing for any government purpose in such facility or 
institution (other than a residential facility providing 
only elementary or secondary education that is not an 
institution in which juveniles who are adjudicated 
delinquent, in need of supervision, neglected, placed in 
government custody, mentally ill or disabled, mentally 
ill or disabled, mentally retarded, or chronically ill or 
handicapped).
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Sec. 4. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawful for any official, employee, or agent
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of the government, or other person acting on behalf of the government charged with
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the care of an institutionalized person to:
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a. Subject persons residing in, or confined to an institution to egregious
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or flagrant conditions causing such person to suffer physical injuries;
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b. Withhold from such institutionalized persons services, resources and
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facilities necessary for their maintenance and well-being; and
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c. Inflict, intentionally or through negligence, upon said person's
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psychological or physical harm.
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Sec. 5. Penai Liabiiity. - Any of the persons referred to in Section 4 of this Act
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who are guilty of the commission of the prohibited acts enumerated therein shall, in
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addition to the penalties imposed under existing laws, be penalized with imprisonment
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ranging from six (6) months to one (1) year. This is without prejudice to any
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administrative case which may be filed against the erring official.
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Sec. 6. Civii Liabiiity. - A responsible official found guilty of violating this Act
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shall also be civilly liable for any damage that may be suffered by the institutionalized
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person as a result of the violation of this Act.


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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional
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or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full
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force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and
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regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,