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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5
House Bill No. 19

Introduced by Honorable Roilo Golez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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 entiling: 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. fo

Passage of this measure is earnestly requested. iae/
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\) ROILO GOLEZ



Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

z
House Bill No. 18

Introduced by Honorable Roilo Golez

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "WITNESS PROTECTION,
SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION. 1. Section 8 (e) of Republic Act No. 6981 is hereby amended to read as follows:

* x x
SEC. 8. Rights and Benefits. - The witness shall have the following rights and benefits:
x x x

(@) Tobe provided with free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicines for any
injury or illness incurred or suffered by him because of witness duly OR WHILE IN THE
SAFEHOUSE in any private or public hospital, clinic, or at any such institution at the expense of
the Program.

x x x

(9) {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 long as they have been qualified thereto."

SEC. 2. A new section shall be inserted between Section 12 and Section 13 of the same Act, which
shall read as follows:

"SEC. 2-A. PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY.- A WITNESSS ONCE ADMITTED INTO.
THE PROGRAM MAY PERPETUATE HIS TESTIMOY PURSUANT TO RULE 134 OF THE
REVISED RULES OF COURT."


SEC. 3.The Department of Justice shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation to
implement this Act

SEC. 4. If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such
shall not invalidate any other section of this Act.

SEC. 5.All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in the at least two
(2) general newspapers of national circulation

Approved,