PR

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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8359

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. STRIKE B. REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE
“Justice is guaranteed to all, regardless of economic standing.”

As stated in the Bill of Rights, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of
the laws.” It further states that “Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies, and
adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.”

Despite these provisions enshrined in our constitution, in reality, justice remains
inaccessible to many, particularly to the underprivileged.

One major problem of our justice system is the lack of lawyers providing free legal
assistance. On average, a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), handles more or
less 5,000 clients per year. On the contrary, this shortage cannot be attributed to a lack of
lawyers for there are at least a thousand new lawyers every year. The real issue is allocation.

This measure seeks to remedy the situation by designating at least one (1) Public
Attorney per branch of the Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. By doing so, free legal assistance becomes more
accessible to those in need, while also lessening the cases handled by lawyers from the Public
Attomney’s Office.

In view of the foregoing, immediate consideration and approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

REP. STRIKE B. REVILLA
2" District, Cavite


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. GD

Introduced by HON. STRIKE B. REVILLA

AN ACT
DESIGNATING AT LEAST ONE (1) PUBLIC ATTORNEY PER BRANCH OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

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

SEC. 1. This Act shall be known as the “Abogado Para sa Lahat Act of 2021”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure that no person shall be
deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any
person be denied the equal protection of the laws. The State shall also provide
free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal
assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.

The State hereby guarantees that there shall be, at all times, an available
lawyer per branch of court that shall provide free and adequate legal service
to indigent and under-privileged Filipinos in need of legal assistance.

SEC. 3. Designation of at least one (1) Public Attorney per Branch of Court. ~ Based
on the principle that justice is guaranteed for all, there shall be at least one (1)
Public Attomey designated per branch of the Regional Trial Courts,
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Public
Attomey’s Office (PAO), and other concerned agencies shall promulgate rules
and regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the
effective implementation of this Act.

The IRR issued pursuant to this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be deemed
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.


SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All Acts, Presidential Decrees, Executive Orders and
Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations, and other such issuances or
parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. 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,