Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ 2774

INTRODUCED BY: HON. 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 sowing 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 court require the residence address and telephone number and the place of
business name, address and telephone number of any victim of 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 offenders. 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 commiting
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. Further, the proposed measure shall mandate that such
victim or witness shall not be required to provide the residence or place of business
name,address or telephone number and the place of business name, 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 the light of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

Representative, 1st District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No," 27'71

INTRODUCED BY: HON. 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 the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act may be known as the “The Witness
Confidentiality Act of 2010"

SECTION. 2. Confidentiality of Information in Open Court. - During a trial or
hearing related to a criminal prosecution, the court shalll require that the residence
address and telephone number and the place of business name, address and
telephone number of any victim of 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 name,address or telephone number and the place of
business name, 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.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain and valid subsisting.

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contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,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


SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, president 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.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,