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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In recognition of the fundamental principles of justice, fairness, and the protection of 
individual rights, the Congress of the Philippines hereby presents this legislation aimed at 
ensuring the just treatment of individuals involved in traffic accidents within our nation's 
territorial jurisdiction. 
This legislation addresses the critical issue of the apprehension and detention of 
persons involved in traffic accidents, emphasizing the importance of a swift and accurate 
determination of fault. It acknowledges that the timely release of individuals not at fault is 
essential to prevent undue hardship and uphold their rights. 
Traffic accidents are unfortunate occurrences that can result in significant 
consequences for all parties involved. In such incidents, it is imperative to uphold the 
principles of justice, fairness, and the protection of individual rights. The apprehension and 
subsequent detention of individuals involved in traffic accidents present a crucial juncture 
where these principles must be carefully safeguarded. 
Just last month, a counterflowing motorcycle rider died in a crash on Skyway Stage 3 
in Quezon City. As a result, the SUV driver involved was detained for several days even if all 
pieces of evidence lead to the conclusion that said driver was not at fault. 
The purpose of this proposed legislation is to address concerns regarding the 
apprehension and detention of individuals involved in traffic accidents within the territorial 
jurisdiction of the Philippines. It aims to establish a fair and expedient process for 
determining the culpability of individuals and ensuring the prompt release of those who are 
not at fault. 
The rationale behind this legislation lies in the recognition of the potential for 
injustice and undue hardship that can result from the indiscriminate detention of individuals 
following traffic accidents. In many cases, individuals who are not at fault may find 
themselves subjected to prolonged detention, despite clear evidence supporting their 
innocence. Such circumstances not only violate the rights of the individuals involved but also 
undermine public trust in the judicial system and law enforcement agencies. 
By mandating the release of individuals within 12 hours from apprehension if all 
evidence, upon thorough investigation and attestation by the chief of police within the 
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relevant territorial jurisdiction, points to their lack of fault in the traffic accident, this 
legislation seeks to address these concerns directly. It establishes a clear and reasonable 
timeframe for the resolution of cases where fault is not in question, thereby minimizing 
unnecessary detention and ensuring the swift restoration of individuals' freedom. 
Furthermore, this legislation emphasizes the importance of law enforcement agencies 
conducting thorough and timely investigations to determine fault accurately. By placing 
responsibility on the chief of police or their designated representative to attest to the findings 
of the investigation, this legislation aims to promote accountability and transparency in the 
process. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
          Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda 
District Representative 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROMOTING THE FAIR TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED 
IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS  
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 "Fair Treatment of Individuals 
Involved in Traffic Accidents Act." 
SECTION 2: Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions 
shall apply: 
a) "Traffic accident" shall refer to any collision involving vehicles on public roads within the
territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.
b) "Chief of police" shall refer to the highest-ranking law enforcement officer within the
territorial jurisdiction where the traffic accident occurred.
c) "Apprehension" shall refer to the act of detaining an individual suspected of being
involved in a traffic accident.
d) "Not at fault" shall refer to a determination that the individual involved in the traffic
accident bears no legal responsibility for causing the accident.
SECTION 3: Duty of Law Enforcement. All persons involved in traffic accidents shall be 
brought to the nearest police station for investigation. It shall be the duty of law enforcement 
officers to conduct a thorough investigation of any traffic accident and submit their findings 
to the chief of police within six (6) hours from occurrence of such accident. The chief of 
police or their designated representative shall attest and make a recommendation as regards 
the findings of the investigation regarding fault within three (3) hours from receipt of the 
findings. 
SECTION 4: Release of Individuals Not at Fault. Upon attestation by the chief of police or 
their designated representative that the individual involved was really not at fault, said 
individual shall be released within three (3) hours from the time such attestation is made. If 
there is reasonable ground to believe that said individual is at fault, they shall undergo the 
proper procedure under existing laws. 
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SECTION 5: Prohibition Against Unnecessary Detention. No individual who is determined 
not to be at fault in a traffic accident shall be subjected to unnecessary detention or delay in 
their release. 
 
SECTION 6: Rights of the Parties. Individuals released under this Act shall be informed of 
their rights, including their right to seek legal recourse for any damages incurred as a result of 
their detention. 
 
Any aggrieved party may seek any legal remedy to question the attestation issued by the chief 
of police or their designated representative including the release of the individual involved. 
 
SECTION 7: Implementation and Enforcement. The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall 
be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act. The PNP shall issue 
guidelines and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8: Penalties for Violation. Any law enforcement officer found to have violated 
the provisions of this Act shall be subject to criminal, civil or administrative prosecution in 
accordance with existing laws and regulations. 
 
SECTION 9: Funding. The necessary funds for the implementation of this Act shall be 
sourced from the annual budget of the Philippine National Police. 
 
SECTION 10: Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved.