Hoe St OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
Dare: 14 JUL 2016

Tine: Pm
BY: eli

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1587

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. ARNULFO “NOLI” P. FUENTEBELLA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide free legal assistance to 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’ office, court, administrative or any competent body
on any charge arising from an incident or incidents related to the performance of their
official duty.

Under the proposed measure, the Secretary of Justice, the Chief of Staff of the
AEP, the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief of
the PNP shall authorize any lawyer or lawyers of their respective agencies to provide free
legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the purpose

In our country, most people may construe the law as favoring the rich over the
poor. The common man, like those officers and lowly enlisted personnel of the AFP and
PNP cannot afford to engage the services of a lawyer due to the prohibitive cost of legal
services even to defend himself of charges related to the performance of his official
duties,

Where is justice therefore in this case?
Itis worthy to share the words of former Vice President Salvador P. Laurel

“Without justice, no one can feel secure. Without security, there
can be no faith. Without faith, there can be no peace. And without peace,

this nation may perish.”

The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this important piece of legislation.

ARNULFO/NOLI” P. FUENTEBELLA
epfesentative
istrict, Camarines Sur

2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

50%

HOUSE BILL No,__ 122%

Introduced by: HON. ARNULFO “NOLI” P. FUENTEBELLA.

AN ACT

PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) AND
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) ON ANY CHARGE BEFORE
THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT, ADMINISTRATIVE OR ANY
COMPETENT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT OR INCIDENTS
RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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
an incident or incidents related to the performance of official duty shall be entitled to free
legal assistance from the government

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Justice, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson
of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) or the Chief of the PNP shall
authorize any lawyer or lawyers of their respective agencies to provide free legal
assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and
the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the purpose under the immediately preceding
section.

SEC. 3. Any amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged against the
appropriation of the DOJ, AFP, NAPOLCOM and PNP of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The DOJ, 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 after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved