FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
11 (' • ,c. 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
The admittance of some witnesses in the Kuratong Baleleng incident, among others, into the 
Witness Protection Program as enunciated under Republic Act No. 6981 has given rise to some 
problems in implementation arising from circumstances not provided for by law. 
The bill proposes to amend RA 6981 by entitling: 1) witnesses admitted into the program 
hospitalization benefits while in the safehouse; 2) minor or dependent children free public 
education, from primary to college. Presently, free hospitalization is provided only for injuries or 
illnesses incurred or suffered by him because of witness duty. Also, minors or dependent 
children of witnesses cannot avail such free education provision in the law because of the 
condition that the same can only be availed of in case of death or permanent incapacity. In 
making free education to minors or dependents available, we limit such grant in the public 
educational system due primarily to the very limited funds the State has to afford assuming 
expenditures from private schools. 
The bill also seeks to provide for the perpetuation of testimonies of witnesses in consonance with 
Rule 134 of the Revised Rules of Court. Some experts though say that this can readily be done 
administratively. We would like to clearly and explicitly provide for such in law. 
Passage of this measure is earnestly requested. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
. SENATE 
IB'7 
s.N6. __ _ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS 
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION. 1. This Act shall be known as the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit 
2 
Act of201O." 
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SEC. 2. 
Section 4 of Republic Act. No. 6981 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 4. Witness in Legislative Investigations. ~ In case of legislative investigations in 
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aid of legislation, [a witness] THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THE 
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL PROVIDE 
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FOR A SEPARATE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT 
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PROGRAM" FOR THE RESOURCE PERSONS AND/ OR WITNESSES. THE 
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WITNESS AND/ OR RESOURCE PERSON, with his express consent, may be 
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admitted into the Program upon the recommendation of the legislative committee where 
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his/ her testimony is needed when in its judgment there is pressing necessity therefor: 
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Provided, That such recommendation is approved by the President of the Senate or 
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Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be. 
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THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
OR THE HOUSE OF 
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REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL HAVE PRIMARY 
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JURISDICTION IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
2 
THE 
PROGRAM. 
CONGRESS 
MAY 
REQUEST 
THE 
NECESSARY 
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ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY 
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OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY TO ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION 
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OF THE PROGRAM. 
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HOWEVER, THE PROGRAM SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE 
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SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INDEPENDENT FROM 
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ANY 
OTHER DEPARTMENT, 
BUREAU, 
OFFICE 
OR ANY 
OTHER 
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EXECUTIVE 
AGENCY 
WHEN 
IT 
IS 
APPARENT 
THAT 
THE 
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INVESTIGATION MIGHT BE PREJUDICED AND/ OR WHEN THE SAFETY 
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OF THE WITNESS MIGHT BE JEOPARDIZED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE 
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED. 
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CONGRESS 
MAY 
PROMULGATE 
ITS 
OWN 
RULES 
AND 
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REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROVISION." 
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SEC. 3. 
Section 8 (e) and (g) of the same Act are hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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"SEC. 8. Rights and Benefits. - The witness shall have the following rights and benefits: 
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X 
X 
X 
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(e). To be provided with free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicines for any 
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injury or illness incurred or suffered by him because of witness duty OR WHILE IN 
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THE SAFEHOUSE in any private or public hospital, clinic, or such institution at the 
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expense of the Program. 
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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" 
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SEC. 4. 
A new section, S~ction 12-A, shall be inserted under Section 12 of the 
2 
same Act, which shall read as follows: 
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SEC. 12-A. 
PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY. - ONCE ADMITTED INTO 
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THE PROGRAM, A WITNESS MAY PERPETUATE HIS TESTIMONY 
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PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF THE COURT. 
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SEC.S. 
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, the 
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remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SEC. 7. 
All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules, regulations, ordinances, or parts 
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thereof which are inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its complete publication 
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in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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