Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our peacekeepers, the members of our Armed Forced and Philippine National Police, play a critical 
role in the maintenance of national security, peace and order, and public safety in the country. 
They encounter various risks in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, and 
oftentimes their lives are placed in jeopardy. They are seen as dispensers of justice who place 
their lives on the line on a daily basis so that we may enjoy the peace and freedom envisioned 
under the Constitution 
It is, however, often overseen how these people tasked to defend our safety, security, and 
freedom, are also in need defenders for the protection of their own rights. Thus, like any other 
sector of the society, our military and police, should not be denied access to legal assistance 
which they may need as a consequence of the faithful performance of their official duties. 
Where costs of litigation could, at times, prove to be too burdensome, for the meager livelihood 
earned by our soldiers and police officers, the State must do its part to ensure that those tasked 
with the duty to serve and protect, are adequately served and protected. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
July 30, 2021
   3:50 pm
9902


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
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 OR INCIDENTS 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. 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, court, administrative 
or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident or incidents related to the 
performance of official duty shall be entitled to free legal assistance. 
Sec. 2. 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 AFP, 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 Attorneys Office, 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. 
Sec. 3. 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. 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the Public Attorneys Office, in coordination with the AFP, NAPOLCOM and the PNP, shall issue 
the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.  
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days alter its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
9902