FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE  
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 1351 
Submitted 
by 
the 
Committee 
on 
Justice 
and 
Human 
Rights 
on 
SEP 2 4 2009 
Re: 
Senate Bill No. 3460. 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 2081 and 1999, taking 
into consideration p.s. Res. Nos. 124 and 304. 
. 
Sponsor: Senator Escudero 
MR. PRESIDENT: 
The Committee on Justice and Human Rights, to which were referred Senate Bill 
No. 1999, introduced by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, entitled: 
"AN ACT  
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'WITNESS  
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"  
and Senate Bill No. 2081, introduced by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, entitled: 
"AN ACT  
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR A WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT  
PROGRAM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"  
taking into consideration P. S. Res. No. 124, introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero 
entitled: 
"RESOLUTION 
DIRECTING THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ,USTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS 
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OFLEGISLATION, INTO 
APPARENTLY DETERIORATING SIGNIFICANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF 
THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM AS DEFINED AND ESTABLISHED 
UNDER THE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 6981/1 


and P. S. Res. No. 304, introduced by Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II, entitled: 
liRESOLUTION  
CALLING FOR THE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A STUDY THAT  
WILL CREATE A WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM IN THE SEI'''IATE TO SET  
IN PLACE SECURITY AND SUPPORT MECHANISIVI FOR RESOURCE PERSONS  
PROVIDING VITAL INFORMATION TO ANY COMM!TTEE COl\IDUCTING  
INQUIRIES OR INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION v\lHOSE  
TESTIMONIES CAN PUT INTO RISK THEIR LIVES AND ECOI'·JOMIC  
STATURES"  
has considered the same and has the honor to report them back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached Senate Bill No.3.4BJl:>repared by the Committee, 
entitled: 
"AN ACT  
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 ~ERVIISE KNOWN AS THE  
"WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURu Y AND BE1\IEHT ACT"  
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 2081 and 1999, taking into consideration 
P.5. Res. Nos. 124 and 304, with Senators Trillanes, Pangilinan, Honasan and Escudero 
as authors thereof. 
Respectfully Submitted: 
FRANCIS JOSEPH G. ESCUDERO 
Chairman 
BENIGNO S. AQUINO HI 
Vice-Chairman 


A} 
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I 
I 
, y' 
GORIO B. HONASAN 
-.  
---....:. 
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. 
CAYETANO 
Ex-Officio Members: 
AQUILI 0 Q. PIMENTEL, JR. 
Senate 
. ority Floor Leader 
HON. JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
Senate President 
Senate of the Philippines 
Pasay City 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
F '.2 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.34 6 0 
Prepared by the Committees on J~stice and Human Rights with Senators Tdllanes,  
Pangilinan, Honasan and Escudero as authors  
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981, OTHERWISE KNO\t\TN AS THE 
IJWITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Witness Protection, Security and 
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Benefit Act of 2009" 
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SEC. 2. 
Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6981 is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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"Section 4. 
Witness in Legislative Investigations. -
In case of legislative 
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investigations in aid of legislation, [a witness] THE SENATE OF THE 
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PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE 
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MAY BE, SHALL PROVIDE FOR A SEPARATE "WITNESS PROTECTION, 
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SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM" FOR THE RESOURCE PERSONS 
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AND/OR WITNESSES. THE WITNESS AND/OR RESOURCE PERSON, with 
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his express consent, may be admitted into the Program upon the 
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recommendation of the legislative committee where his/her testimony is needed 
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when in its judgment there is pressing necessity therefor: Provided, That such 
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recommendation is approved by the Preside~t of the Senate or the Speaker of the 
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House of Representatives, as the case may be. 
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THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
OB, THE HOUSE OF 
20 
REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL HAVE PRIMARY 


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JURISDICTION IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE PROGRAM. 
CONGRESS MAY REQUEST THE NECESSARY 
ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY 
OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY TO ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION 
OF THE PROGRAM. 
HOWEVER, THE PROGRAM SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE 
SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INDEPENDENT FROM 
ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY OTHER 
EXECUTIVE 
AGENCY 
WHEN 
IT 
IS 
APPARENT 
THAT 
THE 
INVESTIGATION MIGHT BE PREJUDICED AND/OR WHEN THE SAFETY 
OF THE WITNESS MIGHT BE JEOPARDIZED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE 
PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED. 
CONGRESS 
MAY 
PROMULGATE 
ITS 
OWN 
RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROVISION." 
SEC. 3. 
Section 8 (e) and (g) of the sa~e Act are hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SEC. 8. Right·s and Benefits. - The witness shall have the following rights and 
benefits: 
x 
x 
x 
(e.) 
To be provided with free medical treatment, hospitalization and 
medicines for any injury or illness incurred or suffered by him because of 
witness duty OR WHILE IN THE SAFEHOUSE in any private or public 
hospital, clinic, or such institution at the expense of the Program. 
x 
x 
x 
(g.) 
[In case of death or permanent incapacity, his] THE WITNESS' 
minor or dependent children shall be entitled to free education, from 
primary to college level in any state, or private school, college or 
university [as may be determined by the Department,] as long as they 
shall have qualified thereto." 
SEC. 4. A new section, Section 12-A, shall be inserted under Section 12 of the 
same Act, which shall read as follows: 
SEC. 12-A. PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY. -- ONCE ADMITTED INTO 
THE PROGRAM, A WITNESS MAY PERPETUATE HIS TESTIMONY 
PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF COURT. 
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SEC. 5. The Department of Justice shall' promulgate the necessary rules and  
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regulation to implement this Act.  
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SEC. 6. 
If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional,  
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the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and  
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subsisting.  
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SEC. 7. 
All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules, regulations, ordinances,  
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or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its complete 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) general newspapers of national 
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circulation. 
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Approved, 
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