MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is advocating for stricter penalties under Republic Act No. 9439, also known as the Anti-hospital Arrest Law, which prohibits the detention of patients in hospitals due to unpaid bills. Estrada’s new legislative proposal comes in response to ongoing complaints about hospitals that continue to engage in this illegal practice despite the law being in effect for over seventeen years.
According to Philippines News Agency, the persistence of these incidents reflects a dire need for tougher sanctions to deter hospitals from violating the law. "No person shall be imprisoned for debt. This is a fundamental constitutional right," Estrada emphasized, questioning the legal basis hospitals claim to justify such detentions. His proposed Senate Bill No. 2724 aims to significantly increase the consequences for non-compliance, proposing fines up to PHP200,000 and up to three years of imprisonment for hospital staff involved in detaining patients.
The bill also suggests even harsher penalties for hospital directors or managers, with potential six-year jail terms and fines up to PHP2 million for those found enforcing hospital detention policies. Additionally, the bill provides provisions for patients who are members of the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or PhilHealth, allowing them to submit a guarantee letter from these agencies along with a promissory note instead of requiring a mortgage or co-maker.