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Republic of the Philippines é MAR 15 2077
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : att
Quezon City 7 =m
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO59ag

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Philippine National Police have been in the forefront of the current
administration's relentless war against drugs. As a consequence of this war, our
law enforcers have not only suffered casualties but are even faced with legal and
administrative cases brought forward by those targeted by the war on drugs.
This effectively deters the unhampered implementation of their mandate.

In order to sustain this relentless pursuit against lawless individuals
involved in drugs, it is not sufficient to merely arm our law enforcers with peace
keeping equipment. It is equally important and imperative to empower them
through sustained and continued legal assistance to eliminate fear of reprisal
through legalistic means.

This may be achieved through the grant of scholarships for potential
qualified lawyer policemen who will render legal service to their fellow law
enforcers in cases arising in the performance of their official duties.

Currently there are only Ninety-Five (95) lawyers in the entire Philippine
National Police providing legal assistance to our law enforcers. There are a total
of roughly One Hundred Seventy Thousand (170,000) active policemen in the
PNP right now. Given these numbers, it is evident that the legal arm of the
Philippine National Police is clearly inadequate to provide legal assistance that
our policemen direly need.


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Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

ee
REP. VINI NOLA &. ORTEGA

Representative
ABONO Party-list


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

HOUSE BILL NO._5298

AN ACT
STRENGHTENING THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE WORKFORCE BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP
GRANTS FOR PROSPECTIVE LAWYER POLICEMEN IN STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR.

Section1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Legal Scholarship Grants to

the PNP Act of 2017”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. —

The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall enforce the law, prevent and
control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal

security with the active support of the community.

In order to attain the PNP’s mandate unhampered by fear of legal reprisal
and unwarranted impediments, the State shall provide legal scholarship grants
to deserving and qualified policemen in state universities and colleges who will
in turn provide legal services and assistance to law enforcers in cases arising

from the performance of their official duties.


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Section 3. Legal Scholarship Grants. - This Act provides for full scholarship
grants to current active and qualified policemen for a four-year law school course
(post-graduate program) plus bar review course in state universities and
colleges, provided, that the applicants for the scholarship shall pass the entrance
examinations of the state university or college and comply with other necessary
requirements for admission in said state universities and colleges.

The number of scholarship grants to be awarded shall be determined by
the Philippine National Police in coordination with other relevant government
agencies as may be necessary per region, province, city, or municipality, which
shall be indicated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

Section 4. Official Study Leave and Stipend - Qualified recipients of the
scholarship grants shall be deemed on Official Study Leave during the period of
his or her legal education.

The recipient shall likewise be entitled to a stipend per semester in a
reasonable amount to be determined by the State Universities and Colleges and
the Philippine National Police in coordination with other government agencies,
which shall be indicated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

Section 5. Scholarship Bond. ~ Recipients who have successfully completed
the law school course and passed the bar examinations shall render mandatory
legal service in the Philippine National Police for the next four (4) years
immediately following his or her completion of the requirements of being a bona
fidé lawyer as enumerated under Rule 138 of the Rules of Court or as prescribed
by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

If the recipient is unable to render legal service in the Philippine National
Police or complete any portion of the period mandated thereof and he or she opts
to engage in the private practice of law instead, he or she shall repay the cost of
the scholarship grant awarded to him or her including alll stipends accorded him
or her pro-rata.


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Section 6. Appropriations. — The initial funding for this Act shall be sourced
from the savings of State Universities and Colleges throughout the Philippines as
well as from other possible sources as may be determined by the Office of the
President. Thereafter, the funds necessary to effectively carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 7. Implementing Agency. ~ The Philippine National Police (PNP) in
coordination with other relevant government agencies, shall serve as the
implementing agency in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
after the effectivity of this Act, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in
coordination with other related government agencies, shall formulate the rules
and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision thereof shall
remain valid and effective.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved