EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rufus B. Rodriguez
3754

_ Introduced by Represent:

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution 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

In our country, the poor have unequal access to justice and this undermines equality
in society. The poor are particularly likely to face problems accessing justice institutions
because these institutions are remote, slow and unaffordable, or are biased and
discriminatory. Other barriers to justice occur when the poor are not aware of their rights, or
where justice institutions and processes are intimidating or unnecessarily complex. Most
often, the poor are most vulnerable to being abused politically and unable to protect
themselves against the injury and economic loss associated with such abuse. Hence, there
is a need for legal empowerment

In the Forum on Increasing Access to Justice by the Poor: Bridging Gaps, Removing
Roadblocks held at Cagayan de Oro City, it was recommended that to make the costs of
litigation affordable, guaranty system or legal insurance for the poor wherein they may
access financial assistance while their cases are pending in court must be created.

In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought

Mdeg

ae B. RO! EZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

sced by Representative Rufus B. R

House Bill No. 3754

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR POOR LITIGANTS

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of Financial Assistance Program for Poor Litigants.
~ It is a declared policy of the State that free access to courts and quasi-judicial bodies and
adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. Pursuant
thereto, a Financial Assistance Program for Poor Litigants is hereby created wherein
qualified beneficiaries may receive financial assistance while their cases are pending in
courts or quasi-judicial bodies

SEC. 2. Who may Avail of Benefits under the Program. ~ Any individual who
qualifies as a poor litigant based on the qualifications used by the Public Attorney's Office
(PAO) may avail of the benefits under this Program.

SEC. 3. Benefits under the Financial Assistance Program. ~ 4 poor litigant may
avail of the following benefits during the pendency of a case in any court or quasi-judicial

body:
a. reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence allowance in such amount as the

PAO may determine;
b. bond for provisional liberty and/or for civil liability in such amount as the PAO may
determine depending on the nature of the case and other relevant circumstances:
and
cc. other incidental expenses to be incurred.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall
include in the department's budget, the funding to be used for this Program, which shall be
charged against its annual appropriations.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (5) months from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOJ, in coordination with the Chief Public Attomey
of the PAO, shall promulgate all rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in’a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.