THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S B No 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLAN %TORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 provides that the state “recognizes the role of 
women in nation-building ” 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 14 likewise provides for the protection of women 
by providing such 
realize their full 
and opportunities as will enhance their welfare and enable them to 
the service of the nation. 
The Department of Social Welfare ihd Development (DSWD) has reported that the 
number of battered women, aged 18 and above, has increased dramatically in the last six years. 
.Statistics released by the DSWD showed that there were 850 cases in 1991; 1,175 cases in 1992; 
1,720 cases in 1993; 2,170 cases in 1994; 5,287 cmes in 1995; 7,425 cases in 1996; 7,850 cases 
by the end of 1997 (4 September 1998, Manila Standard, pp. 1-2). 
,
,
 
This bill hopes to curb the rise in the number of battered women by facilitating faster 
For this purpose, the bill. (1) authorizes the Department of 
conviction of the guilty party. 
Justice, in coordination with the DSWD and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), to 
analyze and disseminate information regarding the admissibility &d quality of testimony of 
witnesses with expertise relating to battered women; and (2) provides for the development and 
dissemination of training materials to facilitate the appropriate use of experts to provide 
testimony in criminal trials of battered women, particularly in cases involving indigent women 


OF THE PHILLPPNES 
First Regular Session 
i 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
AUTHORUZING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ANALYZE AND 
DISSEMINATE WFOWATION REGARDLNG THE ADMISSIBILITY AND QUALITY 
OF TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES WITH EXPERTISE RELATING TO BATTERD 
WOMEN, AND TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE TRAINING MATERIALS TO 
TESTIMONY I s 
, CRINMINAL TRIALS OF BATTERED WOMEN, PARTICULARLY 
IN CASES INVOLVING INDIGENT WOMEN 
FACILITA E THE APPROPRIATE USE OF SUCH EXPERTS TO PROVIDE 
’ 
Be i f  enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of ihe Philppines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION 1 Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Battered Women’s 
Testimony Act ” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to protect and promote 
the welfare of women by providing such facilities ’ and opportunities that will. enable them to 
realized their full potential in the service of the nation. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Eligible Entity” refers to a non-profit organization that operates 
basis to provide - 
a nationwide 
(1) information and assistance to battered women who are defendants or 
prosecuting witnesses in criminal trials; and 
(2) ,technical assistance to battered women, operators of domestic violence 
shelters, advocates for battered women, expert psychological witnesses, and 
attorneys to use effective defense or prosecution strategies in such cases. 
(B). “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Justice. 


SECTION 4. 
The Department of Justice shall make grants to, or enter into contracts with, a single 
Authorigi of the Department ofJustice. - 
eligible entity to - 
(1) collect on a nationwide basis, and analyze, information regarding - 
(A) the admissibility and quality of expert testimony on the experiences of 
battered women offered either as part of the defense or as part of the prosecution 
in criminal cases under the law; and 
(B) sources of, and methods of obtaining, funds to pay cost incurred in providing 
such testimony, particularly in cases in which the defendant or the prosecuting 
witness is an indigent women; 
(2) develop training materials to assist - 
(A) 
battered women, operators of domestic violence shelters, advocates for 
battered women, and attorneys to use such expert testimony in appropriate cases, 
particularly appropriate cases involving indigent women defendants or 
prosecuting witnesses; and 
(B) individuals with expertise in the experience of battered women to develop 
skills appropriate to providing such expert testimony; and 
disseminate such information and such training materials, and provide related 
(3) 
technical assistance, to battered women, such operators, such advocates, such attorneys and such 
Individuals. 
SECTION 5 .  Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary, in coordination 
with the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the 
Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to assure the smooth and efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act. 


SE 1. TION 6. Appuopriations. To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may 
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
sum necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual 
appropriation of the Department of Justice. 
c ,  
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivily Clause. - This Act shall take effect fiReen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.