EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 8675

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since 2016, there have been.at least 8 reported murders of prosecutors. The victims are:

City prosecutor Roiando Acido — October 26, 2016

Prosecutor Johanne Noel Mingoa ~ January 11, 2017

Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon — May 22, 2017

Assistant Prosecutor Maria Ronatay — July 18, 2017

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Reymund Luna — September 29, 2017
Assistant Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco - May 11, 2018

Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro — January 17, 2019

Chief Inquest Prosecutor Jovencio Senados — July 7, 2020

Further, there are at least 2 other prosecutors who were attacked but fortunately survived,
Prosecutor Manue! Tesioma and Prosecutor Jesephone C. Olivar.

‘These highlight the dangers that our prosecutors face in the discharge of their vital role in
dispensing justice

While there can never be a price that would ever be commensurate to their lives, additional
compensation or hazard pay will be a good show of support and a recognition of the
importance of prosecutors.

The government is already providing hazard pay of "at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the
monthly basic salary" to various government personnel whose work entails “occupational risks
or perils to life", which is why itis also important that prosecutors be given hazard pay as they
also face great "risks or perils to life” by reason of their profession.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFYS B. ROI UEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
867 8675

House Bill No.

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO ALL PUBLIC PROSECUTORS IN THE PHILIPPINES
DURING THEIR INCUMBENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the 'Hazard Pay for Public Prosecutors
Act’.

SEC. 2. All duly appointed public prosecutors in the country shall be granted a monthly hazard
pay while in office in the amount equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of their basic monthly
salary.

SEC.3. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged
against the available appropriations of the National Prosecution Service of the Department of
Justice under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as maybe
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. The hazard pay for public prosecutors 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 public prosecutors.

SEC. 5. The Department of Budget and Management in consultation with the Department of
Justice and the Supreme Court shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. Any provision of laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified
accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,