Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILE No. 1316

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE JOCELYN F. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There are constitutional and statutory provisions which explicitly guarantee equal
protection of the laws. It is a reality in the Philippines however, that our laws lean toward
those in the upper echelon of our society more than those in the quagmire of poverty.

The existing political chaos caused by disgruntled citizens like those in the leftist
organizations and secessionist movements have undeniably been linked to the poor
dispensation of our justice system. Many innocent people continue to languish in jail due
to their failure to hire best lawyer to defend them or even post bail for some trumped up
charges

The government may have recognized this fact that the Probation Law was
implemented. This law gives opportunity to people convicted of crime with an imposable
penalty of imprisonment of not more than six (6) years not to serve his sentence in jail
under certain conditions,

This bill therefore will effectively complement the Probation Law but this will
exclusively apply only to pauper litigants, who are first time offenders. The enactment of
this bill into law will somehow realize the dream once expressed by the original Man of
the Masses, the late President Ramon Magsaysay that “those who have less in life, should
have more in law.”

The foregoing reasons warrant the immediate approval of this bill

JOCELNN F. FORTUNO
‘epresentative
Fifth District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2316

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE JOCELYN F. FORTUNO

AN ACT
TO EXEMPT PAUPER LITIGANTS FROM POSTING BAIL WHEN CHARGED WITH
LIGHT FELONY OR CRIME PUNISHABLE BY PRISION CORRECCIONAL

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Pauper Litigants Equal
Justice Act of 2019."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared a policy of the State to grant
pauper litigants exemption from posting bail when charged with light felony or crime which the
law imposes a penalty of not exceeding six (6) years for the first time.

SEC. 3. Definition. — As used in this Act, the term “pauper litigant” shall refer to any
citizen of the Philippines who have no visible means of income and those with an annual income
of not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00).

SEC. 4. Exemption from Posting Bail. — Any pauper litigant, who is a first time
offender, shall not be required to post bail when charged with light felony or crime which the law
prescribes a penalty of prision correccional in any court of law except when the probability of
guilt is strong and flight is evident as determined by the court

SEC. 5. Condition for Granting Provisional Liberty on Recognizance. ~ No pauper
litigant shall avail of the privilege under this Act unless he takes an oath before any duly
authorized officer that he shall appear and be present before the proper court whenever required.

Any violation of this condition shall constitute a waiver of his right and the court shall
order his arrest. If for any reason he cannot be found, trial may proceed in absentia.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations found inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly

SEC. 7. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,