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

HOUSE BILL No. 2718

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to grant a tax exempt hazard pay to Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges equivalent
to twenty-five percent (25) of their basic monthly salary during their incumbency.

Section 5, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the maintenance of peace and order ,
the protection of life liberty and property and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

In a democracy, there should always be the existence of the rule of law, rooted in an independent
judiciary. Along this line, it has been declared as a policy of the State to adopt measures to guarantee the
independence of the judiciary as mandated by the Constitution and public policy, and to ensure impartial
administration of justice, as well as an effective and efficient system worthy of public trust and
confidence.

‘According to Tribute to the Fallen: The Case for Hazard Pay by Hon. Angelo C. Perez of the
RTC of Cabanatuan City, Branch 27, members of the judiciary 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. It was further stated that considering
judges face great risks or threats to life by reason of their profession, the impetus and urgency for the
grant of hazard pay to members of the judiciary are now apparent.

‘The guarantee of adequate salaries and the granting of hazard pay to RTC judges is but a small
measure aimed not only to protect the judges’ personal independence but also meant as a recognition on
their contribution to nation building.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly and earnestly sought.

UWEL PETERS. Ja


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

HOUSE BILL NO. 2716

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

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 Regional Trial Court
Judges Act”:

SEC.2. All duly appointed judges in the Regional trial Court shall be granted a hazard pay
during their incumbency 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 Judiciary 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.

SECA. The hazard pay for Regional Trial Court judges 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 judges in the
Regional Trial Court.

SEC.5. The Department of Budget and Management in consultation with the Judiciary shall,
within sixty (60) days afier 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,