1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is responsible for upholding the 
sovereignty of the country, supporting its Constitution, and defending its territory 
against all enemies. On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is 
responsible for enforcing the law, preventing and controlling crimes, maintaining 
peace and order, and ensuring public safety and international security with the active 
support of the community. 
It is but necessary that Enlisted Personnel of both the AFP and the PNP be 
entitled to free legal assistance for charges that are in line with their official duties. 
Enlisted Personnel are those who put their lives at risk everyday in ensuring that there 
is peace and order in the country. Most of the time, they are wrongfully charged and 
accused, especially when their job involves having to prove or expose high profile 
syndicates and the like. 
Free legal assistance will strengthen our uniformed personnel’s morale, 
safeguarding them from unfortunate circumstances that may come with performing 
their sworn duties. This free legal assistance, in the premise that it is not misused, 
could serve as an incentive and boost productivity.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.  
ERIC GO YAP 
July 29, 2021
3:07 pm
9898


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED 
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE ON ANY CHARGE BEFORE THE 
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT OR ANY COMPETENT BODY ARISING 
FROM AN INCIDENT RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL 
DUTY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Free Legal Assistance Act for 
Enlisted Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National 
Police.” 
SEC. 2. Any personnel or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), who is facing before the 
prosecutor’s office, court, administrative or any competent body, any charge arising 
from an incident or incidents in relation to the performance of their official duty shall 
be entitled to free legal assistance. 
SEC. 3. Within twenty four (24) hours from the official receipt of the 
information that the officer or enlisted personnel is charged, the Chief of Staff of the 
AFP, the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief 
of the PNP shall authorize the legal office of their respective agencies, with the 
assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office, to provide free legal assistance to any officer 
or enlisted personnel of the AFP and the PNP for the purpose of the immediately 
preceding section. 
SEC. 4.  The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall 
be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund funded through the General Appropriations 
Act. 
9898


 
2 
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Public 
Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the AFP, NAPOLCOM, and the PNP, shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
 
 
 
 
Approved,