Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3767

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to grant a tax exempt hazard pay to Regional Trial Court
(RTC) judges equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of their basic monthly
salary during their incumbency.

Section 5, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution provides that the maintenance
of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property and the
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the
people of the blessings of democracy.

In a democracy, there should always be the existence of the rule of law,
rooted in an independent judiciary. Along this line, it has been declared as a
policy of the State to adopt measures to guarantee the independence of the
judiciary as mandated by the Constitution and public policy, and to ensure
impartial administration of justice, as well as an effective and efficient system
worthy of public trust and confidence.

According to Tribute to the Fallen: The Case for Hazard Pay by Hon.
Angelo C. Perez of the RTC of Cabanatuan City, Branch 27, members of the
judiciary are potential targets of assaults, attacks, and intentional killings by
disgruntled, dissatisfied, or vindictive parties or litigants. They are even targets of
criminals who just want to make a name for themselves. It was further stated
that considering judges face great risks or threats to life by reason of their
profession, the impetus and urgency for the grant of hazard pay to members of
judiciary are now apparent.

The guarantee of adequate salaries and the granting of hazard pay to
RTC judges is but a small measure aimed not only to protect the judges’
personal independence but also meant as a recognition of their contribution to
nation building.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly and eamestly
sought.

£

RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3767
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the ‘Hazard Pay for
Regional Trial Court Judges Act”

SEC.2. All duly appointed judges in the Regional trial Court shall be
granted a hazard pay during their incumbency in the amount equivalent to
twenty-five percent (25%) of their basic monthly salary.

SEC.3. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the available appropriations of the Judiciary under the
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as maybe necessary
for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC.4. The hazard pay for Regional Trial Court judges shall not be subject
to tax and nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish in any manner,
any benefit granted by existing laws, rules and regulations, local ordinances and
other issuances especially favorable to duly appointed judges in the Regional
Trial Court.

SEC.5. The Department of Budget and Management in consultation with
the Judiciary shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC.6. Repealing Clause. Any provision of laws, decrees, executive orders,
tules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed and modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
it's publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,