Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2719

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The prosecutors in the National Prosecution Service discharge a vital and indispensable role in
our criminal justice system. They assume the immense task of maintaining and upholding the rule of
law. They carry the burden of prosecuting offenders as they probe their case through the demanding
process inherent in the entire judicial system.

The “ risks and perils to life” faced by the prosecutors should be counterbalanced by a modest grant or
entitlement such as a hazard pay that will encourage rather than discourage prosecutors to face their
duties and responsibilities fairly and squarely.

The Philippine government is already providing hazard pay of “at least twenty-five percent
(25%) of the monthly basic salary” to various government personnel whose work entails “occupational
risks or perils to life”. But prosecutors face far greater “risks or perils to life” by reason of their
profession. Thus, with more reason that prosecutors in the National Prosecution Service should be
granted the same recognition and benefit as they are classified as “ high risk” due to the nature of their
work and demand for the imposition of high insurance premium for their coverage.

A series of unfortunate and untoward incidents have exposed government prosecutors to “risks
and perils to life”. In fact, a good number of prosecutors have been murdered /assassinated/injured in the
different parts of the country.

Indeed, the members of the National Prosecution Service are potential targets of assaults, attacks
and intentional killings by disgruntled, dissatisfied or vindictive parties or litigants. They are even
targets of criminals who just want to make a name for themselves.

If the pattern continues, it will wreck serious impact on the role of the prosecutors and put at
peril the criminal justice system. Thé grant of the hazard pay is but a small measure aimed not only to
protect the personal independence of the prosecutors but also to recognize their contribution to nation-
building.

Justice is the bedrock of democracy. The Legislature must insure that those who dispense it and
those who continually make the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for truth, equity and justice are recognized
and given the benefits and protection they deserve. Thus, the necessary first step towards this goal and in
support of the National Prosecution Service is to grant hazard pay to incumbent prosecutors equivalent
to twenty-five percent (25%) of their monthly basic salary.

Itis for this reason that the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

QG-—L (F
RUWEL 2 fs


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2719

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO ALL PUBLIC PROSECUTORS IN THE PHILIPPINES
DURING THEIR INCUMBENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 ‘Hazard Pay for Public Prosecutors
Act”.

SEC.2, All duly appointed public prosecutors in the country shall be granted a hazard pay while
in office in the amount equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of their basic monthly salary.

SEC.3. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against
the available appropriations of the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice under the
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as maybe necessary for it's continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC.4, The hazard pay for public prosecutors shall not be subject to tax and nothing in this Act
shall be construed as to diminish in any manner, any benefit granted by existing laws, rules and
regulations, local ordinances and other issuances especially favorable to duly appointed public
prosecutors.

SEC.5. The Department of Budget and Management in consultation with the Department of
Justice and the Supreme Court shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC.6. Repealing Clause. Any provision of laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it's publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,