WF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines DATE: 3.0 IHN, 2046.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TIME: >

A
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS | 7
FIRST REGULAR SESSION H REGISTRATION UNIT
464 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO. __

introduced by CIBAC Party List Representative
Sherwin N. Tugna

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND
BENEFIT ACT", AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THEREFORE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The role of witnesses in an administrative, criminal or legislative investigation is
very important in ensuring the success of any case that may be filed in relation to the
said investigation. The witnesses’ lives, property, reputation, safety as well as those of
their family are at stake. People whom they testify against may hurt or kill them or any
member of their family. Therefore, it is necessary that witnesses are protected and
accorded protection and benefits. The Congress has already addressed these
concerns by enacting Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act". As much as the said law has benefitted many
witnesses who have become part of the witness protection program, it is timely that it is
amended to strengthen the witness protection, security and benefit program by giving
more benefits to the witnesses and their specified family members in consideration of
the possible outcome of the witnesses decision to come out and pursue cases against
those who they know have committed crimes. Also, this bill seeks to provide benefits to
the children of the witnesses which will compensate for the prolonged absence of the
witnesses in the lives of their family due to admission in the program. Moreover, the
author deems it just that in case the witnesses are killed by reason of their admission in
the program, their family will be compensated in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand
Pesos (500,000.00).


Provisions on a separate and distinct witness protection program for witnesses
during legislative investigations, aid of legislation are also included. These witnesses’
testimonies are vital in the process of enacting bills that will address loopholes in current
laws or rules and regulations and possible filing of necessary criminal complaints by the
authorized agencies of the government.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of the bill is immediately sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House BILLNo,__ 464

Introduced by CIBAC Party List Representative
Sherwin N. Tugna

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND
BENEFIT ACT", AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THEREFORE

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

SECTION 1. Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as
the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act", are hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 3. Admission into the Program. - Any person who has witnessed or
has knowledge or information on the commission of a crime and has
testified or is testifying or about to testify before any judicial or quasi-
judicial body, or before any investigating authority, may be admitted into
the Program: Provided, That:

a) The offense fia} FOR which fhis} THE testimony will be used is a grave
felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code, or its equivalent under
special laws;

b) {His} THE testimony can be substantially corroborated in its material
points;

¢) {He} THE WITNESS or any member of {his} THE WITNESS" family
within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity is subjected to
threats to fhis} life or bodily injury or there is a likelihood that fhe} THE
WITNESS will be killed, forced, intimidated, harassed or corrupted {to
prevent—him}] SO AS TO BE PREVENTED from testifying, or to testify
falsely or evasively, because or on account of fhis} THE testimony GIVEN;
and

d) [He] THE WITNESS is not a law enforcement officer, feven—if-he
would-be-testifying} UNLESS THE TESTIMONY TO BE GIVEN WILL BE
against other law enforcement officer(s). S

3


ediat bers-of-his-family_may-avail_themselves-of the-protecti
“If the Department, after examination of said applicant and
other relevant facts, is convinced that the requirements of this Act and
its implementing rules and regulations have been compiled with, it
shall admit said applicant to the Program, require said with to execute a
sworn statement detailing THE WITNESS' knowledge or information
‘on the commission of the crime, and thereafter issue the proper
certification. For purposes of this Act, any such person admitted to the
Program shall be known as the Witness."
SEC.4, Witness in Legislative Investigations. - In case of legislative
investigations in aid of legislation, fa-witness.}] THE SENATE OF THE
PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, MAY PROVIDE A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT 'WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM’ FOR ITS
RESOURCE PERSONS AND/OR WITNESSES. THE WITNESS
AND/OR RESOURCE PERSON, {with—his—express—consent] may be
admitted into the Program upon THE WRITTEN APPLICATION AND
the recommendation of the legislative committee where {his} THE
testimony is needed when in its judgment there is a pressing
necessity [therefor] FOR THE WITNESS' TESTIMONY OR THE
PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS OR EVIDENCE IN POSSESSION OR
CUSTODY OF THE WITNESS: Provided, That such recommendation is
approved by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, as the case may be.
“THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL HAVE
PRIMARY JURISDICTION IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS PROTECTION,
SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM. CONGRESS MAY REQUEEST
THE NECESSARY ASSISTANCE FROM ANY DEPARTMENT,
BUREAU, OFFICE OR ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCY TO ASSIST
IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM: PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A CRIMINAL CASE HAS
BEEN INSTITUTED, FOR PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OR TRIAL
IN THE COURT, IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY, ANY WITNESS TO THE CRIMINAL CASE
COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY
AND BENEFIT PROGRAM SHALL UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CONCERNED, BE TURNED OVER TO
THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: PROVIDED,
FURTHER, THAT ANY WITNESS TO A CRIMINAL CASE WHO IS
COVERED BY THE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE COVERED
AND SHALL REMAIN UNDER SUCH PROGRAM NOTWITHSTANDING


ANY LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY THAT MAY BE INITIATED THEREAFTER

WHERE SUCH WITNESS MAY BE CALLED UPON TO TESTIFY AS A

RESOURCE PERSON.

"ANY WITNESS COVERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE WITNESS

PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM SHALL ENJOY

THE SAME RIGHTS AND BENEFITS, BEAR THE SAME

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME

CONDITIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT.

"TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THIS PROVISION, CONGRESS

SHALL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS OWN

WITNESSPROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM AND

PROMULGATE ITS OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS.”

SEC. 5. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Person to be

Protected. - {Before—a—persen—is—provided} BEFORE A WITNESS

CAN AVAIL OF THE protection under this Act, he/SHE [shall—first
SHALL ENTER INTO a memorandum of agreement WITH THE

DEPARTMENT, which shall set forth his/HER SPECIFIC responsibilities

including:

a) To testify before and provide information to all appropriate law

enforcement officials concerning all appropriate proceedings in connection

with or arising from the activities involved in the offense charged;

b) To avoid the commission of a crime;

c) To take all necessary precautions to avoid detection by others of

the facts concerning the protection provided {him} under this Act;

d) To comply with legal obligations and civil judgments against {him

ONE'S PERSON;

e) To cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of officers and

employees of the Government who are providing protection under this Act;

fand}

f) To regularly inform the appropriate program official of fhis} current
activities and addressfj;

G) NOT TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANY ADVERSE PARTY OR
NEGOTIATE FOR OR ENTER INTO, AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT
ON THE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ASPECT OF THE OFFENSE
SUBJECT OF THE CASE OR INVESTIGATION; AND

H) TO COMPLY WITH SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS AS THE
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DEEM PROPER TO IMPOSE FOR THE
SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF THE CASE OR
TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAM."

SEC. 6. Breach of the Memorandum of Agreement. - Substantial breach
of the memorandum of agreement shall be a ground for the IMMEDIATE
termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided under this Actf:
Provided,-however—That—before—terminating-sueh—protestion,. {f]The
Secretary of Justice shall send WRITTEN notice to the person involved
of the termination of the BENEFITS AND protection provided under
this Act, stating therein the reason for such termination."



SEC. 7. Confidentiality.fof-Preceedings}]- All fpreceediags} MATTERS
involving [application—for] admission AND COVERAGE finte] UNDER the
Program fand—the-actiontaken—thereen] shall be confidential in naturef}
AND {NjNo_ information or documents [given—or-submitted—in—support
thereof] RELATIVE THERETO shall be released except upon written order
of the Department or the proper court.
“Any person who violates the confidentiality of said proceedings shall upon
conviction be punished with imprisonment of not less than
FOUR (4) YEARS but not more than six (6) years and deprivation of the
right to hold a public office or employment for a period of five (5) years.
"NO INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SHALL BE
ISSUED BY ANY COURT ENJOINING THE ADMISSION OF THE
WITNESS IN THE PROGRAM BY THE DEPARTMENT.”
SECTION 8. Rights and Benefits. - The Witness shall have the RIGHT
TO SECURITY AND PROTECTION AS WELL AS THE following frights
and] benefits:
“a) To have a secure housing facility until THE WITNESS has testified or
until the _ threat, intimidation or harassment disappears or is reduced to a
manageable or tolerable level. When the circumstances warrant, the
Witness shall be entitled to relocation and/or change of personal identity
at the expense of the Program. This right TO A SECURE HOUSING
FACILITY AND RELOCATION may be extended to any member of the
family of the Witness within the second {eivil] degree of consanguinity or
affinity UPON SATISFACTION OFTHE REASONABLE CONDITIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HEREAFTER CLEARLY SET FORTH.
"A CHANGE OF PERSONAL IDENTITY MAY INCLUDE A CHANGE IN
PHYSIOLOGICAL APPEARANCE OR CHANGE OF NAME. THE
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, UPON APPLICATION OF THE WITNESS
COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RULES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HEREAFTER
PROMULGATE, MAY ORDER A CHANGE OF THE FIRST NAME,
MIDDLE NAME AND/OR FAMILY NAME OF THE WITNESS
COVERED, WITHOUT NEED OF A SEPARATE JUDICIAL ORDER OR
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS. PURSUANT TO SUCH ORDER,
THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE MAY DIRECT ALL CONCERNED
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ENTRIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGISTRIES IN SUCH A MANNER
THAT ENSURES THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS
AND AVOID A DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY OF THE WITNESS.
“b) The Department shall, whenever practicable, assist the Witness in
obtaining a means of livelinood. The Witness relocated pursuant to this
Act shall be entitled to a financial assistance from the Program ffer—his
r ity} in such amount and for such duration as the
Department shall determine.
“c) In no case shall the Witness be removed from or demoted in work
because or on account of his] ONE'S absences due to fhis}_ attendance


before any judicial or quasi-judicial body or investigating authority,
including legislative _ investigations in aid of legislation, in going thereto
and in coming therefrom: Provided, That his employer notified through a
certification issued by the Department, within a period of thirty (30) days
from the date when the Witness last reported for work: Provided, further,
That in the case of prolonged transfer or permanent relocation, the
employer shall have the option to remove the Witness from
employment after securing clearance from the Department, upon the
recommendation of the Department of Labor and Employment.
“Any Witness who failed to report for work because of witness duty shall
be paid {his} BY ONE'S EMPLOYER THE equivalent salaries or wages
corresponding to the number of days of absence occasioned by the
Program. For purposes of this Act, any fraction of a day shall constitute a
full day salary or wage. This provision shall be applicable to both
government and private employees.
“d) To be provided with reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence
allowance by the Program in such amount as the Department may
determine for his attendance in the court, body or authority where THE
WITNESS’ testimony is required, as well as conferences and interviews
with prosecutors or investigating officers.
“e) To be provided with NECESSARY free medical ATTENTION,
treatment, hospitalization and medicines PARTICULARLY for any injury,
for} illness OR ANYOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION incurred or suffered
by [him because of] THE WITNESS OR BY THE SPOUSE AND MINOR
OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHILE ON witness duty OR WHILE IN
THE TEMPORARY SHELTER PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM in any
{private—or] public hospital, clinic, or at any such institution at the
expense of the Program.
"WITNESS DUTY SHALL INCLUDE THE ATTENDANCE OF THE
WITNESS IN THE COURT, BODY OR AUTHORITY WHERE THE
TESTIMONY IS REQUIRED AS WELL AS CONFERENCES,
INTERVIEWS, AND/OR INVESTIGATIONS WITH PROSECUTORS OR
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS. A WITNESS WHO IS RELOCATED TO
AN ACCREDITED WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND
BENEFIT PROGRAM TEMPORARY SHELTER SHALL BE
CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER WITNESS DUTY FOR THE DURATION
OF STAY IN SAID TEMPORARY SHELTER."
“f) Ifa Witness is killed, because of {his} participation in the Program,
{his} THE WITNESS' heirs shall be entitled to a burial benefit of not less
than FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00)fFen-theusand
P40,000-00)} from the Program exclusive of any other similar
benefits fhe} THE WITNESS may be entitled under other existing laws.
fa—sase ae Fis} = THE
WITNESS’ minor or aopandent children shal be entitled (4 free education
AND/OR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, from primary to college level in

any statef—orprivate} school, college or university fas-may-be-determined



veune

7

by-the-Department] as long as they shall have qualified thereto. THE
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HEREIN PROVIDED CAN BE AVAILED BY
THE WITNESS’ MINOR OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY,
SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, BUT IN THE LATTER
CASE, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE (5) YEARS."

SECTION 2. Sections 10 and 12 of the same Act are hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 10. {State-Witness}] ADMISSION OF OFFENDERS. - Any person
who has participated in the commission of a crime and desires to be
awitness for the {State} GOVERNMENT, can apply and, if qualified
as determined in this Act and by the Department, shall be admitted
into the Program whenever the following circumstances are present:

a) The offense in which [his] THE testimony will be used is a grave
felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under
special laws;

b) There is absolute necessity for fhis] THE testimony;

c) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper
prosecution of the offense committed;

d) {His} THE testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material
points;

e) {He] THE PERSON does not appear to be most guilty; and

f) {He] THE PERSON has not at any time been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude.

“THE ADMISSION OF A PERSON TO THE PROGRAM IS DISTINCT
AND SEPARATE FROM A DISCHARGE OF AN ACCUSED FROM
AN INFORMATION OR CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BY THE COURT IN
ORDER THAT SAID ACCUSED MAY BE A STATE WITNESS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 OF RULE 119 OF THE REVISED RULES
OF COURT.

"An accused discharged from an information or criminal complaint by
the court in order that fhe] THE ACCUSED may be a State Witness
pursuant to {Sections-O-and—40} SECTION 17 of Rule 119 of the
Revised Rules of Court may, upon {his} petition, be admitted to the
Program {f——he——complies}] UPON COMPLIANCE with the other
requirements of this Act. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the
discharge of an accused{is—se-that- he-can-be-used} WHO QUALIFIED
as fa] State Witness under SECTION 17, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules
of Court."

SEC. 12. Effect of Admission of a {State] Witness into the Program. -
The certification of admission into the Program by the Department shall
be given full faith and credit by the provincial or city prosecutor who is
required not to include the Witness in the criminal complaint or
information and if included therein, to petition the court for fis} THE
discharge PURSUANT TO THIS ACT in order that fre} ONE can be


utilized as a {State] Witness FOR THE PROSECUTION. fFhe-court-shall
order—the—dise! d_exelusi _the—said—z  —frora—the

i

a
information.)

"Admission into the Program shall AUTOMATICALLY entitle such
{State] COVERED Witness to immunity from criminal prosecution for
the offense or offenses in which {his} THE testimony will be given or
used and_ [all-the—rights—and—benefits—provided-under—Section—8
hereof} THE COURT SHALL ORDER THE DISCHARGE AND
EXCLUSION OF THE SAID WITNESS FROM THE INFORMATION."

SECTION 3. A new section (Section 12-A) shall be inserted between Section 12 and
Section 13 of the same Act, which shall read as follows:

SEC, 12-A.PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY. ~ A WITNESS ONCE
ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM SHALL PERPETUATE THE
TESTIMONY PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE REVISED RULES OF
COURT."

SECTION 4. Sections 13, 14, 15 and 17 of the same Act are hereby amended
to read as follows:

SEC. 13. Failure or Refusal of the Witness to COOPERATE OR
Testify. - {Any Witress—tegistered-in the Program who fails or refuses
to—t Fi

"A WITNESS COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM WHO UNJUSTLY
FAILS OR REFUSES TO COOPERATE OR_ TESTIFY IN
THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF A CASE OR WHO
GIVES FALSE OR _ MISLEADING TESTIMONY SHALL BE
CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION,
SUFFER THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN
FOUR (4) YEARS BUT NOT EXCEEDING SIX (6) YEARS. THE
WITNESS SHALL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO RESTITUTE ALL
THE PROGRAM'S EXPENSES RELATIVE TO HIS COVERAGE
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO PROSECUTION FOR CONTEMPT
UNDER OTHER EXISTING LAWS."


SEC. 14. Compelled Testimony. - Any Witness admitted into the
Program to Sections 3 and 10 of this Act cannot refuse to testify or
give evidence or produce books, documents, records or writings
necessary for the prosecution of the offense or offenses for which
fhe] ONE has been admitted into the Program on the ground of the
constitutional right against self-incrimination. fout—he}] THE WITNESS
shall enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution and {cannot} SHALL
NOT be subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for any transaction, matter
or thing concerning his compelled testimony or books, documents,
records or writings produced.

"In case of refusal of THE Witness to testify or give evidence or produce
books, documents, records, or writings, on the ground of the right against
self-incrimination, and the PUBLIC prosecutor or investigator believes
that such evidence is absolutely necessary for a successful prosecution
of the offense or offenses charged or under investigation, he, with the
prior approval of the Department, shall file a petition with the appropriate
court for the issuance of an order requiring said Witness to testify, give
evidence or produce the books, documents, records, and writings
described, and the court shall issue the proper order.

“The court, upon motion of the PUBLIC. prosecutor or investigator, shall
order the arrest and detention of the Witness in any jail contiguous to the
place of trial or investigation until such time that the Witness is willing
to give such testimony or produce such documentary evidence."

SEC. 15. {Perjury-or] Contempt. ~- No Witness shall be exempt from
prosecution for {perjury—or} contempt committed while giving testimony
or producing evidence under compulsion pursuant to this Act. [Fhe

penalty next—higher—in- degree shal f conviction:
for-perjury-] The procedure prescribed under Rule 71 of the Rules of
Court shall be followed in contempt proceedings but the penalty to be
imposed shall not be less than one (1) month but not more than one (1)
year imprisonment."
SEC. 17. Penalty for Harassment of Witness. - Any person who
harasses a Witness i a 7

it BY REASON OF THE SWORN STATEMENT OR
TESTIMONY GIVEN BY THE LATTER, OR WHO ATTEMPTS TO
HINDER, DELAY, PREVENT OR DISSUADE THE WITNESS from:
a) Attending or testifying before any judicial or quasi-judicial body or
investigating authority;
b) Reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge the commission
or possible commission of an offense, or a violation of conditions or
probation. parole, or release pending judicial proceedings;
c) Seeking the arrest of another person in connection with the offense;
d) Causing a criminal prosecution, or a proceeding for the revocation of
a parole or probation; or
e) Performing and enjoying the rights and benefits under this Act for
attemptsto-do-se,] shall be fined not more than [fhree—thousand

10


pesos—(P3,000.00}} TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,000.00) or
suffer Imprisonment of not less than {sx—(6}monthe} TWO (2)
YEARS but not more than fone-4-year) FOUR (4) YEARS, OR BOTH.

fer_beth—He-shall—ale -perpetual_disqualificati
7 i lo offloer,

“IN ADDITION, THE PENALTY OF PERPETUAL

DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE SHALL BE

IMPOSED UPON THE OFFENDER WHO IS APUBLIC OFFICER."

SECTION 5. A new section (Section 17-A) is hereby inserted in Republic Act
No. 6981, which shall read as follows:

SEC. 17-A. CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS - IN CASE OF DOUBT,
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF THE
ADMISSION OF THE WITNESS."

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Justice shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such shall not invalidate any other section of this
Act.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations,
ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation

i