Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the republic of the Philippines, the costs of several legal fees have 
always been known to be troublesome to most of its citizenry. To add to this, the 
expensive cost of legal fees, is not a matter that should be taken lightly. Thus 
even through a legal procedure, in any given venue is very wearisome, 
emotionally and financially. 
Henceforth, in the current essence of the vocation of our mediators, they are 
more exposed to legal matters compared to other professions. Likewise, the 
income of these enlisted personnel of the AFP and PNP are not sufficient to cover 
for this legal fees on top of the cost of their basic necessities. 
This House Bill seeks to create a comprehensive Free Legal Assistance program 
for all enlisted personnel of the AFP and PNP, for charges in relation to the 
performance of their duties. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
November 29, 2021
10:33 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM FOR ALL ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED 
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) AND PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE (PNP) FOR CHARGES IN RELATION TO THE 
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Free 
Legal Assistance Program to all Enlisted Personnel of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) ”. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY. - All 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 
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capable 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. 
 
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 (PAO), to provide free legal assistance 
to any/all enlisted personnel of the AFP and the PNP for the purpose of the 
immediate succeeding process. 
SECTION 
3. 
ANNUAL REPORT. - The AFP and the PNP shall submit 
analysis and findings to the office of the President and the Department of Justice 
(DOJ) every year following the effectivity of this Act.  
The report shall provide a detailed account of the status of the 
implementation of this Act and recommended legislation, whenever applicable 
and necessary. 
SECTION 
4. 
APPROPRIATION. - There shall hereby be created a 
Free Legal Assistance Fund to be used exclusively for the implementation of this 
Act, for Strategic Plan, following, existing government budgeting, prevailing 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations.  
The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall 
be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund, funded through the General 
Appropriations Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
5. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 


SECTION 
6. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
7. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
8. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
9. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,