1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is responsible for upholding the 
sovereignty of the country, supporting its Constitution, and defending its territory 
against all enemies. On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is 
responsible for enforcing the law, preventing and controlling crimes, maintaining 
peace and order, and ensuring public safety and international security with the active 
support of the community. 
It is but necessary that Enlisted Personnel of both the AFP and the PNP be entitled to 
free legal assistance for charges that are in line with their official duties. Enlisted 
Personnel are those who put their lives at risk every day in ensuring that there is peace 
and order in the country. Most of the time, they are wrongfully charged and accused, 
especially when their job involves having to prove or expose high profile syndicates 
and the like. 
Free legal assistance will strengthen our uniformed personnel’s morale, safeguarding 
them from unfortunate circumstances that may come with performing their sworn 
duties. This free legal assistance, in the premise that it is not misused, could serve as 
an incentive and boost productivity.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.  
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
ERIC G. YAP 
July 11, 2022
11:45 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED 
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE 
PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL 
POLICE 
ON 
ANY 
CHARGE 
BEFORE 
THE 
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT OR ANY COMPETENT BODY ARISING 
FROM AN INCIDENT RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Free Legal Assistance Act for 
Enlisted Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National 
Police.” 
SEC. 2. Any personnel 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 
from an incident or incidents in relation to the performance of their official duty shall 
be entitled to free legal assistance. 
SEC. 3. Within twenty four (24) hours from the official receipt of the 
information that the officer or enlisted personnel is charged, the Chief of Staff of the 
AFP, the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief 
of the PNP shall authorize the legal office of their respective agencies, with the 
assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office, to provide free legal assistance to any officer 
or enlisted personnel of the AFP and the PNP for the purpose of the immediately 
preceding section. 
SEC. 4.  The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall 
be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund funded through the General Appropriations 
Act. 
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SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Public 
Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the AFP, NAPOLCOM, and the PNP, shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,