NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 5 88
ei Senate
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•22 JUL 14 All m
RECEIVED BY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF 
PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
COVID-19 is unquestionably the largest public health emergency to Impact the 
global community in recent history. The Philippines has not been exempted from this 
pandemic, and now has the most number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, breaching 
the 5,000 mark as of April 14, 2020.
Amidst the weight of this unprecedented crisis, our health workers and front-liners 
continue to work in the frontlines ~ risking their own health and well-being, as well as 
their families, health and well-being to heal the sick and protect the community. 
Unfortunately, instead of being rewarded for their efforts, many of these health workers 
and front-liners find themselves at the receiving end of discrimination and hostility, or 
even physical violence. Numerous health workers and their families complain of being 
discriminated against in housing accommodations, with landlords kicking them out for 
fear that they might be spreading the virus. They are shooed away from banks and from 
grocery stores for the same reason. In an incident reported in a Sultan Kudarat hospital, 
a health worker was attacked by a group of five people who threw bleach on his face.
Ignorance and hostility will not protect us from the disease. Now, more than ever, 
we need compassion and community. Now, more than ever, we need to protect our health 
workers and front liners. As they continue to put themselves on the line for us, they 
deserve the highest measure of protection from legislation.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
RT^A HONTTVEROC V
RISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No
)
)
)
SENATE
588
•22 JUL 14 ffll «6
RECEIVED
''~"V
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS 
OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short title. - This Act shall be entitled as the Mandatory Protection
2 
of Health Workers, Frontliners and Patients Act.
3 
Sec. 2. Section 9 of R.A. No. 11332, otherwise known as the "Mandatory
4 
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act" is
5 
hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Section 9. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be prohibited under this
7 
Act:
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(a) Unauthorized disclosure of private and confidential information
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pertaining to a patient's medical condition or treatment;
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(b) Tampering of records or intentionally providing misinformation;
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(c) Non-operation of the disease surveillance and response systems;
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(d) Non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report and/or
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respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern; and
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(e) Non-cooperation of the person or entities identified as having the
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notifiable disease, or affected by the health event of public concern;
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(f) ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION, OR UNFAIR OR UNJUST
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TREATMENT AGAINST A HEALTH WORKER, A FRONTLINER, OR
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ANY ACT THAT HAS THE EFFECT OF ACTUALLY CAUSING OR
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PLACING THE SAME UNDER A REASONABLE FEAR OF PHYSICAL
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OR EMOTIONAL HARM, OR IMPEDES THE CONDUCT OF DUTIES,
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PROVIDED THAT IF THE SAME ACT IS PUNISHABLE UNDER A
1


1 
DIFFERENT LAW, THE LAW THAT IMPOSES A HIGHER PENALTY
2 
WILL APPLY; AND
3 
(g) ALL FORMS OF PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND
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PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE, OR THE THREAT THEREOF OF
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SUCH VIOLENCE, AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL SUSPECTED OF
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BEING, OR CONFIRMED TO BE, A CARRIER OF THE NOTIFIABLE
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DISEASE, WHETHER THE SAME IS TRUE OR NOT/'
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Sec. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days upon
9 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation
Approved,