NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
422
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'22 JUL12 P5:08
Ri:CEl\'l:D BV:
Introduced By Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
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 OR INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE 
OF OFFICIAL DUTY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, finding a lawyer is one thing but affording the cost of legal 
fees is another. The right to counsel of an accused is guaranteed in the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution which mandates free access to courts and quasi-judicial bodies, and yet 
most Filipinos experience inability to obtain swift, efficient and adequate legal aid 
services. This condition heavily causes financial and emotional burden to every 
Filipino.
The members of our Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, are seen as 
enforcers of justice who place their lives on the line on a daily basis so that we may 
enjoy the peace and freedom envisioned under the Constitution. It is, however, often 
overlooked how these people tasked to defend our safety, security, and freedom, are 
also in need defenders for the protection of their own rights. Thus, like any other 
sector of the society, our military and police, should not be denied access to legal 
assistance which they may need as a consequence of the faithful performance of their 
official duties.


Where costs of litigation could, at times, prove to be too burdensome, for the 
meager livelihood earned by our soldiers and police officers, the State must do its part 
to ensure that those tasked with the duty to serve and protect, are adequately served 
and protected.
In order to provide adequate legal support to our peacekeepers, it is imperative 
that for 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, any charge arising from an incident or 
incidents related to the performance of official duty shall be entitled to free legal 
assistance.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHE
WRENCE "BONG" T. GO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 422
o[ tlj’.' 2; s ! rrai'i’
72 JUL12 P5 *08
Rl'CElvi: 0 BY.
Introduced By Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
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 OR INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE 
OF OFFICIAL DUTY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the
2 
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), who is facing before the
3 
prosecutor's office, court, administrative or any competent body, any charge arising
4 
from an incident or incidents related to the performance of official duty shall be
5 
entitled to free legal assistance.
6 
Sec. 2. Within twenty four (24) hours from the official receipt of the information
7 
that the officer or enlisted personnel is charged, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the
8 
Chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief of the PNP
9 
shall authorize the legal office of their respective agencies, with the assistance of the
10 
Public Attorneys Office, to provide free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted
11 
personnel of the AFP and the PNP for the purpose of the immediately preceding
12 
section.
13
Sec. 3. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective


1 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund funded
2 
through the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Public Attorneys Office, in coordination with the AFP, 
NAPOLCOM and the PNP, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
this Act.
7 
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,