Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6026

Introduced by: HON, FELIX WILLIAM “WIMPY” B, FUENTEBELLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide free legal assistance to any officer 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,
on any charge arising from an incident or incidents related to the performance of their
official duty.

Under the proposed measure, the Secretary of Justice, the Chief of Staff of the
AEP, the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief of
the PNP shall authorize any lawyer or lawyers of their respective agencies to provide free
legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the purpose

In our country, most people may construe the law as favoring the rich over the
poor. The common man, like those officers and lowly enlisted personnel of the AFP and
PNP cannot afford to engage the services of a lawyer due to the prohibitive cost of legal
services even to defend himself of charges related to the performance of his official
duties

Where is justice therefore in this case?
It is worthy to share the words of former Vice President Salvador P. Laurel

“Without justice, no one can feel secure. Without security, there
can be no faith. Without faith, there can be no peace. And without peace,

this nation may perish.”

The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this important piece of legislation

ATTY, FELIX WILLIA\
Reprpsen|
Fourth District,

PY” B, FUENTEBELLA
ive
amarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._6026

Introduced by: HON, FELIX WILLIAM “WIMPY” B, FUENTEBELLA

AN ACT

PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) AND
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) ON ANY CHARGE BEFORE
THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, COURT, ADMINISTRATIVE OR ANY
NT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT OR SIDENTS
TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY AND
if S THEREFOR

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

SEC 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 trom
an incident or incidents related to the performance of official duty shall be entitled to free
legal assistance from the government.

SEC, 2, The Secretary of Justice, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson
of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief of the PNP shall
authorize any lawyer or lawyers of their respective agencies to provide free legal
assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and
the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the purpose under the immediately preceding
section

SEC. 3, Any amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged against the
appropriation of the DOJ, AFP, NAPOLCOM and PNP of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ The DOJ, in coordination with
the AFP, NAPOLCOM and the PNP, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved