Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Boe

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Costs of legal fees have always been known to be burdensome
to most of the people in the country. On top of the expensive cost of
legal fees, the feelings that litigants go through is not a matter that
should be taken lightly. Going through a legal Procedure, be it
through a court, the prosecutor's office or even in an administrative
body is trying, emotionally and financially.

Given the nature of the profession of our peacemakers, they are
more exposed to legal matters compared to other professions.
Moreover, the income of these peacemakers is not ample to cover for
legal fees on top of the cost of their basic necessities,

With that, this Bill is intended to ease the burden of our
peacemakers financially by providing free legal assistance on charges
in connection to the performance of their duties,

As such, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

owe.
ERIC OLIVAREZ

=, wW
aye

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill NO tes

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY
OFFICER ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF
THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE ON
ANY CHARGE BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT
OR ANY COMPETENT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT
RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Free Legal
Assistance Act for Enlisted Personnel of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police."

SECTION 2. Any personnel or 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 competent 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.


SECTION 3. 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, to provide free legal
assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the AFP and the PNP
for the purpose of the immediately preceding section.

SECTION 4. The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Legal Defense
Fund funded through the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act, the Public Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the AFP,
NAPOLCOM, and the PNP, shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement this Act.

SECTION 6. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,