Republic of the Philippines
MOUS OF REPRESENTATIVES a Kee
Quezon City oF Pre
EIVED “s
TN: de.)

HIRTEENTH CONGRESS i)
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 223

introduced by Hon, Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“The rayic terrorist attack on the World Trade Cemter in New York City on September 11, 2001
shocked the world and woke every individual to the real threat posed by terrorists the world over.
Investigations after the attack revealed that the terrorist network spans several countries and
crosses over continents, recognizing no boundaries and defying laws of nations.

Terrorism has become a threat not only to the lives of individuals, but also to peace and
order, liberty, property, and general welfare essential for the enjoyment of the blessings of
emocracy by all people. Terrorism then became the concem of every nation, each country
coming up with its own action to address the terrorist threat. Anti-terrorism laws were either
passed or updated by the governments of the civilized world. ‘The United States, in swift reaction
to the 9/11 attack, adopted a policy of war against terrorism worldwide, calling on all nations to
join the fight. As President George W. Bush chillingly said, “If you're not with us, you are
against us”

‘The Philippine Government has responded favorably to this call by the United States, with the
starement of full support by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo immediately after 9/11. This
was followed by the conduct of Balikatan Exercises 02-01, which was directed against the
terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. In addition, the Legislature is also contemplating the passage of an
‘Anu-Terror Bill which would provide the government with the laws to counteract the terrorist
scourge

his bill seeks to provide a reward system for persons who provide information leading to the
anest or prosecution of terrorists or the prevention of terrorist acts, If passed into law, this bill
can help facilitate the enforcement of anti-terrorism laws in this country. The rewards system
proposed by this bill is not much different from that offered by the United States government for
information leading to the arrest, capture or prosecution of the five prominent Abu Sayyaf
personalities, an offer which was welcomed by the Philippine Government.

In the pursuit of the principles of the Philippine Constitution which states that the prime
cjuty of the Government is to serve and protect the people and that the maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare. are
essential for the enjoyment of the blessings of democracy by all people, the passage of this bill is

earnestly sought.
ROPANO Ri Tino A

Representative
Lone District of Muntintupa



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 228

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REWARDS FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING TERRORISM
PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
ussembled:

SECTION 1. Tisle. — This Act shall be known as the “Rewards for Information Conceming
Terrorism Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles. — Article Il Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states that
the prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. Section 5 of the same Article of the
Constitution states that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property,

and promonon of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of
demoeravy.

SEC. 3. Policy and Objectives. — In the pursuit of the above stated principles, it is hereby declared
the policy of the Stite to protect the people from terrorist acts and provide the means and systems to
prevent and prosecute the commission of such acts.

SEC. 4, Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as

follows:
1.) Terrorism - In this Act, "terrorism" means the use or threat of action where

4.) the use or threat is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or
a section of the public, and is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious
or ideological cause;

b.) action involves serious violence against a person, serious damage to property,
‘endangers a person's life, other than that of the person committing the action, creates
a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public, or is
designed seriously to interfere with or seriously disrupt an electronic system.

2.) Terrorists - individuals who commit, conspire to commit or intend to commit acts of
tertorism, including those identified by foreign law enforcement entities and governments as
terrorists.

3.) Terrorist Organization — any local or intemational organization involved in the
commission, conspiracy ot intention to commit acts of terrorism.

SEC. 3. Rewards jor Information. ~ There is hereby established a Rewards for Information
Concerning Terrorism Program under the Department of Justice to be administered by the Secretary of
Justice, which is authorized to grant rewards to individuals who furnishes information leading to :

2) the arrest or conviction of any person or persons for the commission of an act of terrorism
as defined in this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines

b) the arrest or conviction of any person or persons for conspiring or attempting to commit


an act of terrorism as defined in this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the
Philippines

©) the prevention, frustration, or favorable resolution of an act of terrorism as defined in this
Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines

2) the prevention of entry into the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines of any person or
persons known or suspected to be terrorists or members of any terrorist organization

SEC. 6. Determination of Entitlement and Maximum Amount - Tae Secretary of Justice shall
determine whether an individual furnishing information described in Section 5 of this Act is entitled to 8
reward and the amount (0 be paid. Under this Act, the reward may be in an amount not to exceed Five
Million Pesos (P 5,000,000,00). However, A reward of Five Hundred Thousand or more may not be made
without the written approval of the President.

SEC. 7, Withhold Identity; Witness Protection - If it is determined that the identity of the recipient
of a reward or of the members of the recipient's immediate family must be protected, the Secretary of
Justice may withhold the identity of the recipient from the public or place the informant under the
Wimess Protection Program; Provided, that any reward granted under this Act shall be certified for
payment by the Secretary of Justice.

SEC. 8. Exception of governmental officials - No officer or employee of any governmental entity
who, while in the performance of his or her official duties, furnishes the information described in Section
5 shall be eligible for any monetary reward under this Act.

SEC. 9. Penalty Provision — any person who provides false or misleading information to avail of
or effect the grant of any reward under this Act shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Thousand
Pesos (P 500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one year, If the
person providing false or misleading information is a government official or employee, apart from the
aforementioned penalty, he shall be immediately removed from office and perpetually disqualified from
holding any government position.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Justice shall promulgate such
rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 11. Appropriations - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
charged to the budget of the Department of Justice as provided in the current General Appropriations Act.

‘Thereafter, the necessary sum for the implementation of this Act shall be provided in subsequent
Geneval Appropriations Acts.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause ~ Any provisions of law, presidential decree, executive orders, rules
and regulations contrary to the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13, Efféctivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.