Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6162
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Bank, there are about 155,000 personnel of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines as of 2019.' While there are about 220,000 police officers of
the Philippine National Police?

Since the AFP and PNP’s mandate is to serve and protect the country, it is
therefore a reality that in the performance of their official duties - while putting their
lives and limbs in danger - these officers and enlisted personnel could face potential
civil, criminal, and administrative charges. This proposed measure secks to give free
legal assistance to any officer and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and Philippine National Police for any charge arising from an incident or
incidents in relation to the performance of their official duty before the prosecution,
judicial courts, and administrative bodies.

This commendable bill had been first filed in the 16" Congress by Rep. Felix
Fuentebella and was approved on 3" Reading. Thereafter, similar bills had been filed
in the 17 and 18" Congress, and the present proponent is acknowledging the wisdom
and hard work of his predecessors.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

onion F. VIOLAGO

* https://data.worlcbank org/indicator/MS.MIL.TOTLP1?locations=PH_

2 Quismoro, Ellson. “PNP could use a bit of rightsizing; here's what Recto means”. Manila Bulletin. 05
September 2022. Web. < https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/05/pnp-could-use-a-bit-of-rightsizing-heres-what-recto-
means/>

G REPRESEN

E- Filed ”
RECEIVED


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 6162
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Vi

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. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Free Legal Assistance to
Enlisted AFP and PNP Personnel Act”.

SECTION 2. Coverage. — 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, judicial 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.

SECTION 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
AEP, 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 (PAO), 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.

SECTION 4, Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation
of this Act shall be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund funded through the General
Appropriations Act.


SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — 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.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,