1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to an independent and competent legal counsel 
of any person undergoing an investigation for a commission of an offense. The same 
provision also enunciates the mandate of the state to provide a legal counsel for the 
said person if he/she cannot afford one.  
A significant number of the country’s Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous 
Peoples (ICCs/IPs) are Filipinos living below the poverty line. Thus, once investigated 
or held as accused, these ICCs/IPs rights to counsel becomes prejudicial, given that 
no legal counsels are immediately available on their behalf. It is in this regard that this 
bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8371 or The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997, 
in order to institutionalize the provision of pro bono legal services to the indigent 
ICCs/IPs. 
Moreover, in giving due credence to the country’s selfless and committed legal 
counsels who tirelessly give pro bono services to the underprivileged and 
marginalized, particularly indigent ICCs/IPs, the said legal counsels are then entitled 
to tax credits which shall be deducted from their gross income.  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
       ERIC G. YAP 
EDVIC G. YAP 
April 17, 2023
12:36pm
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1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR INCENTIVES TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION 
ENGAGED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENT INDIGENOUS 
PEOPLES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 78-A is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 8371 or The 
Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997: 
"SECTION 17-A. PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR INDIGENT 
ICCS/IPS. - THE NCIP IS HEREBY EMPOWERED TO APPOINT 
COUNSELS DE OFICIO FOR INDIGENT ICCS/IPS WITH 
PENDING CASES BEFORE IT. APPOINTED COUNSELS DE 
OFICIO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO TAX FREE HONORARIA OR 
PER DIEMS AS THE NCIP MAY PROVIDE UNDER ITS RULES. 
ANY MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE BAR WHO HAS RENDERED 
FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT ICCS OF AT LEAST ONE 
HUNDRED (100) HOURS WITHIN ONE YEAR SHALL BE 
ENTITLED TO DIRECT DEDUCTION FROM HIS INCOME TAX 
DUE IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS 
(P100,000.00). FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THIS 
PROVISION SHALL APPLY TO LAWYERS RENDERING DIRECT 
LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ICCS/IPS OR LEGAL SERVICES 
RENDERED OUTSIDE OF THE NCIP SUCH AS BUT NOT 
LIMITED 
TO 
LEGAL 
ADVICE 
ON 
CONTRACTS, 
OR 
PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. 
THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE IN CONSULTATION 
WITH THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL 
FORMULATE THE APPROPRIATE RULES AND REGULATIONS 
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TO ENSURE THAT THE OBJECTIVE UNDER PARAGRAPH 2 OF 
THIS SECTION IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. THE NCIP SHALL 
FORMULATE THE DEFINITION OF "INDIGENT ICCS/IPS," 
AND IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ADJUST IT FROM TIME TO 
TIME BASED ON REASONABLE STANDARDS." 
 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,