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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
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Senate Bill No. 339 9 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Teachers are often said to be the heroes of every election season. This is 
because they are called on to do back-breaking, largely thankless work during 
the polls. They have to go through so much during elections and the government 
cannot give them enough protection or even benefits. 
For all the hardship during election day and the counting of votes, full 
compensation and transportation allowance for the teachers were delayed most 
of the time or not given at all. 
In some places, teachers had to put up even with physical harm. In 
Bangued, Abra, five teachers were wounded in an ambush on election day. In 
this they were at least more fortunate than two other teachers in Taysan, 
Batangas -who perished, also on election day, after a polling precinct was set 
on fire. 
Worse, many teachers are slapped with election-related cases which are 
intended to just harass them. These cases unduly burden the poor teachers who 
risked their lives for a clean and honest election. This bill seeks to provide a 
mechanism for a free legal assistance to teachers who are charged with cases 
arising from a lawful discharge of professional duties during elections. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested 
MANNY ILLAR 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 
OFFENSES 
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS CHARGED WITH ELECTION-RELATED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to 
value the dignity of every human person and guarantee the rights of every 
individual, particularly those who cannot afford the services of a legal counsel. 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms- For purposes of this Act, the term: 
a. "Legal services" to be performed by a lawyer refers to any activity 
which requires the application of law, legal procedure, knowledge, 
training and experiences which shall include, among others, legal 
advice and counsel, and the preparation of instruments and contracts, 
including appearance before the administrative and quasi-judicial 
offices, bodies and tribunals, handling cases in court, and other similar 
services as may be defined by the Supreme Court. 
b. "Election-related cases" refers to administrative, civil or criminal 
proceedings filed against a teacher for actions committed directly in the 
lawful discharge of professional duties during elections. 
c. "Financial 
support" 
refers to 
reasonable financial 
assistance 
determined by both Department of Education and Commission on 
Elections to defray emergency expenses. 
SEC. 3. Requirements for Availment - Public school teachers charged 
with cases involving due performance of electoral duties shall be given free legal 
assistance and financial support. For purposes of availing of the benefits and 
services as envisioned in this Act, a lawyer or professional partnership shall 
secure a certification from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Department of 
Justice (DOJ), or accredited association of the Supreme Court indicating that the 
said legal services to be provided are within the services defined by the Supreme 
court. 
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For purposes of determining the number of hours actually provided by the 
lawyer and/or professional firm in the provision of legal services, the association 
and/or organization duly accredited by the Supreme Court shall issue the 
necessary certification that said legal services were actually undertaken. 
The certification issued by, among others, the PAO, DOJ and other 
accredited association by the Supreme Court shall be submitted to the 
Department of Justice (DOJ) for purposes of monitoring. 
SEC. 4. Incentives to Lawyers. - For purposes of this Act, a lawyer 
rendering actual legal services, as defined by the Supreme Court, shall be 
entitled to at least thirty-six (36) credit units of mandatory continuing legal 
education (MCLE). 
SEC. 5. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. 
-The Department of Justice (DOJ), in cooperation with the Philippine Information 
Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct an annual information, education 
and communication (IEC) campaign in order to inform the lawyers of the 
procedures and guidelines and inform the general public that a free legal 
assistance to those who cannot afford counsel is being provided by the State. 
SEC. 6. Reportorial Requirement. - For purposes of determining the 
effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, the Department of 
Justice (DOJ) shall submit an Annual Repoi? to both Houses of Congress 
indicating therewith the number of parties who benefited from this measure. The 
report shall state in detail, among others, the geographic location, demographic 
characteristics and socio-economic profile of the beneficiaries of this measure. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). -Within ninety (90) 
days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Supreme Court (SC) shall 
formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations with respect to the 
legal services covered under this Act, the process of accreditation of 
organizations and/or associations which will provide free legal assistance and the 
incentives to be given to lawyers. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any .provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration, 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, ordinance, administrative 
circulars not consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. I O .  Effectivity Clause. -This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
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