Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

MOUSE BILLNO.__1609

Introduced by Hon. Rep. Maria Milagros 1. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has been observed that the Prosecutors of the Prosecution Offices have been used as
collecting agents by parties through the filing of cn for violation of the Bouncing Check
Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 22).

This practice, therefore, has unnecessarily drained the time, resources and efforts of the
Prosecutors which could have been utilized in the preliminary investigation and prosecution of
more important criminal cases.

‘This proposed measure seeks to discourage the practice of indiscriminate filing of B.P.
22 cases to coerce payment from debtors and using the Prosecutors of the Prosecution Offices as
collecting agents. As such, this measure authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Justice
(DOJ) to fix, impose and collect filing fees for every complaint filed for violation of B.P, 22 to
address this concern.

‘The fees to be collected shill be placed under a Special Account to be named as
“National Prosecution Service Program Fund", and shall be disbursed for the numerous
programs that would improve the quality of prosecutorial services and expedite the trial process
for B.P, 22 related cases.

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

ae

MA. MILAGROS Hl. MAGSAYSAY
Representative
S" District, Province of Zambales



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

PIPTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

1609

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Rep. Maria Milagros II. Magsaysay

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PAYMENT OF FILING FEES FOR
COMPLAINTS CHARGING VIOLATIONS OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 22, AS AMENDED, FILED WITH THE
PROSECUTION OFFICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

4

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

SECTION 1. Filing Fees. — Before the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor ot
the Provincial and City Prosecution Offices of the National Prosecution Service shall take
cognizance of any criminal complaint for the violation of the provisions of Batas Pambansa Bly
22, as amended, the party who has filed the complaint shall pay to the Office concerned filing
fees in such amount as the Secretary of Justice may fix. The amount of such filing fees may be
increased or decreased by the Secretary of Justice from time to time through the appropriate

administrative issuance.

SEC. 2. Indigent Complainants. — No filing fees shall be assessed on any indigent
complainant who files with the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor or the Provincial and City
Prosecution Offices any criminal complaint for the violation of the provisions of Batas Pambansa

Blg. 22, as amended,


SEC. 3. National Prosecution Service Program Fund. — The filing fees paid
under the provisions of the Act shall constitute the National Prosecution Service Program Fund

to be administered by the Department of Justice (DOS),

SEC, 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The Secretary of Justice
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions

of this Act.

SEC. Repealing Clause. — Ail laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this

Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise affected

shall remain valid.

SEC. 7. Effeetivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation
d

Approved,