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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE!

Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS sot et Ar une
First Regular Session WN MOVIE!

09
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S, CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide free legal assistance to all senior citizens in all civil or
criminal cases filed against him, thereby amending Republic Act no. 7432, as amended
by Republic Act no. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2003”.

As provided in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, it is the
declared policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure
the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living and an improved quality of life. In the Declaration of Principles and
State Policies in Article Il, Sections 10 and 11, it is further declared that the State shall
provide social justice in all phases of national development and that the State values the
dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the Sate shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to
make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at
affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly,
disabled, women and children. Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution Further declares
that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may
design programs of social security for them.

This bill recognizes the need of senior citizens to be provided free legal services,
in the pursuance of the objectives of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to recognize the
tights of senior citizens to take their proper place in society and-make it a concern of the
family, community, and government, and to adopt measures whereby our senior citizens
are assisted and appreciated by the community as a whole

The bill was filed in the 15the Congress but for lack of time, its progress was
halted at the committee level. In light of all these circumstances, the swift passage of
this bill is earnestly sought.

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RODEL M. BATOCABE ALFREDO'A, GARBIN, Jr. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
¢

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7342, AS AMENDED BY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE
CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS
AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"

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

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act no. 7432, as amended by Republic Act no. 9994,
otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003" is hereby further
amended by inserting a new subparagraph (m), to read as follows:

Sec. 4. Privileges for Senior Citizens. - The senior citizens shall be entitled to
the followin,

XXX

(m) free legal services, including acceptance and appearance fees, in all

criminal, quasi-judicial or administrative cases filed against senior citizens,

except necessary and actual expenses incurred, such as, but not limited to,

photocopying and courier services, and contingency fees not exceeding twenty

percent (20%) of the amount awarded and actually recovered in said case,

provided further, that the following controversies or cases shall not be covered by

the privilege under this provision:

4) any information filed against a senior citizen for commission of crimes

involving moral turpitude;

any violation of Republic Act no. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and

Corrupt Practices Act, and other cases cognizable by, pending before, or

originating from the Sandiganbayan;

3) intra-corporate disputes; and

4) any case filed in accordance with the Family Code, except, in cases of
guardianship.

2)

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.
SECTION 2. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days in at least one (1)
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.