Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18% Ce
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 597

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES DURING THEIR
INCUMBENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Being a judge oftentimes fall under the “high risk profession” category by some insurance
providers, which eventually lead to add-ons or prohibitive premium payments for their plans. Their
profession bears a huge responsibility in the administration of equitable justice and the speedy disposition
of cases. It is in this manner that judges are in the receiving end of disgruntled litigants, vindictive parties,
‘grave threats and are mainly exposed to persons who have criminal intents coupled with violent tendencies,

Hazard pay as defined by law is the “premium 0 government perso} ied to hazardos
ituations such as but not limited 1 nt in mbattled areas, ed or isolated
tated stations, prison c. mental hospitals, I tio) ied clinics, labor and
workshops, disease infested areas and areas declared under state of calamity or emer which pose

life”. Relative to President Duterte’s all-out war on drugs, the risk of curbing
‘criminality thru the justice system poses grave frontline threats to judges. Citing the Chief Justice’s figures
as of May 2016, there are 138,368 pending drug related cases in trial courts which represent 29% of the
439,606 criminal cases filed

There are also documented cases recently involving judges killed while adhering to their sworn
duty. Sometime 2015, the Supreme Court in response to the alarming assassinations and killings of judges,
created a multi-agency panel to conduct in-depth investigations on these cases. There was the case of Judge
Wilfredo Nieves from our province who died when he was ambushed on his way home from work. He
handled high profile cases involving car theft syndicate members and was threading the needle in terms of
his personal safety.

This proposal is just a meager benefit compared to the benefits the society are enjoying whenever
Justice is being rendered properly by these front-liners who consistently safeguard the very essence of
democracy and stability for the common man.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18 Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 597

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES
DURING THEIR INCUMBENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
Assembled:

SEC 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the “Hazard Pay for Regional Trial Court
Judges Act”.

SEC 2. Scope of Coverage - All duly appointed judges in the Regional Trial Court shall be
granted hazard pay during their incumbency in the amount equivalent to twenty five percent
(25%) of their basic salary per month.

SEC 3. Appropriations.- 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 may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

‘SEC 4, Conditions .- The hazard pay for the 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, Application - The Department of Budget and Management in consultation with the
Judiciary shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue the implementing
rules and regulations of this Act.


SEC 6. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules
and regulation, and other issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are
hereby repealed and modified accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Nema tos pphoori