.s,flIWh> 
(il}th:r vf Hpl ~1'n'rhn'U 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 29 
p 2 :20 
SENATE 
_________________ 
S_.N_o_. __ l_l_3_6 _________ 
H ______ \ __ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The protection of victims and witnesses is an essential part of the fight against crime. The 
increased risk of witnesses and victims being subjected to intimidation results in the failure of 
the criminal justice system to bring offenders to trial and obtain judgments because witnesses are 
effectively discouraged from testifying freely and truthfully. 
The protection of victims and witnesses giving evidence in criminal cases, is 
crucial in order to achieve successful results in the fight against crime. 
It is of utmost importance for the state to protect witnesses against such interference by . 
providing them with specific measures of protection that effectively ensure their safety. Hence, a 
law protecting the confidentiality of victims' and witnesses' addresses and telephone numbers 
during a trial or hearing related to a criminal prosecution is necessary in fostering the safety of 
witnesses and victims.' 
Lw.... 4,h . 
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(JJi'.MIRIAM DEFttSSOR siffTI¥O 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
I 


Sl'n"tl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
tJ}fh;r tlf HII\ .~~r{,'!1'hn~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUl 29 P 2 :?O 
SENATE 
S.No. 
J 136 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIMS' AND WITNESSES' ADDRESSES 
3 
AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS DURING TRIALS OR HEARINGS RELATED TO 
4 
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Witness Confidentiality 
6 
Act". 
7 
SECTION. 2. Confidentiality of Information in Open Court. - During a trial or hearing 
8 
related to a criminal prosecution, the court shall require that the residence addresses and 
9 
telephone numbers and the place of businesses, addresses, and telephone numbers of any victim 
10 
or witness to the crime shall not be disclosed in open COUlt, and that such victim or witness shall 
11 
not be required to provide such infOlmation in response to defense or prosecution questioning, 
12 
unless the court determines that there is a clear need for such disclosure because the information 
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is necessary and relevant to the facts of the case or to the credibility of the witness. 
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The burden to establish the need and relevance for disclosure shall be on the defense or 
15 
the party seeking disclosure. 
16 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
17 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and sUbsisting. 
1 


19 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
20 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
21 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
22 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteeu (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2