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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2940

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ARNULF BRYAN “ARNIE” B. FUENTEBELLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the performance of their duties pursuant to their respective mandates, our uniformed

personnel routinely face administrative cases, even after retirement. Due to their separation, they
are unable to answer for legal fees which result from being on the receiving end of legal actions,
and their meager pensions can only answer for these legal expenses, It is a disservice to our
uniformed personnel, who have spent their best years in the service of the nation.

Under the proposed measure, the Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of the Interior and

Local Government, the Secretary of Transportation, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson
of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), the Chief of the PNP, the Commandant of the
PCG, the Chief of the BJMP, or the Chief of the BFP 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.

[filed this bill in the 19" Congress and | fully intend to support the legislation this 20"

Congress

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

ARNULF BRYAN “ARNIE” B. FUENTEBELLA
Representative
Fourth District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2940

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ARNULF BRYAN “ARNIE” B. FUENTEBELLA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED PERSONNEL
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE (PNP), THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG), THE BUREAU OF JAIL
MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP), AND THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
(BFP) ON ANY CHARGE OR CASE FILED BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE,
COURT, ADMINISTRATIVE, OR ANY COMPETENT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT
OR INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Free Legal Assistance to Any Officer or Enlisted Personnel. Any officer or
enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police
(PNP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BUMP),
and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) who is facing before the prosecutor's office, court,
administrative, or any competent body, any charge or case filed arising from an incident or incidents.
related to the performance of their official duty shall be entitled to free legal assistance from the
government.

SECTION 2. Authorization from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DoTr), AFP, NAPOLCOM, PCG,
BJMP, and BFP Lawyers. The Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government, the Secretary of Transportation, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson of the
National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), the Chief of the PNP, the Commandant of the PCG, the
Chief of the BUMP, and the Chief of the BFP shall authorize any lawyer or lawyers of their respective
agencies to provide free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the AFP, PNP, PCG,
BJMP, and BFP for the purpose under the immediately preceding section

SECTION 3. Appropriations. Any amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged
against the appropriation of the DOJ, DILG, DoTr, AFP, NAPOLCOM, PNP, PCG, BJMP, and BFP
of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOJ, in coordination with the DILG,
DoTr, AFP, NAPOLCOM, PNP, PCG, BJMP, and BFP shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
to implement this Act.

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

Approved.