Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3141
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide free legal assistance to any member of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police facing
charges before the prosecutor's office, court, administrative or any competent
quasi-judicial body due to an incident arising from the performance of this
official duty.

Members of our military and police forces are sacrificing their lives for
the preservation of peace and order in our country. Their duties require them
to be in dangerous places and perform tasks that put their lives on the line to
protect our people, freedom and institutions. However, in the course of the
performance of their duties, these uniformed men are sometimes accused of
harassments, human rights violations, and other baseless charges.

This measure aims to provide support to our police and military
personnel when charged or prosecuted in a court or other quasi-judicial body
of an offense arising from an incident related to the performance of their
duties. By providing free legal assistance to defend their innocence and protect
their rights, our men in uniform will be able to perform their duties more
effectively without fear of unwarranted cases being filed against them. This
measure is likewise in support of the administration’s drive against crime and
corruption through the strengthening of our AFP and PNP.

A similar version of this bill was filed by the undersigned during the 17%
Congress. Support for this bill is again earnestly sought.

2n4 District, Davao Oriental


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no3l4 i

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE FACING
CHARGES BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT, OR ANY COMPETENT
ADMINISTRATIVE OR QUASI-JUDICIAL BODY, ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT
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. The Secretary of Justice, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Philippines
(AFP) or Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) may authorize lawyers of their
respective agencies to provide free legal assistance to any member of the AFP or PNP
who is facing charges before the prosecutor's office, the court or any competent
administrative or quasi-judicial body, a charge or charges arising from any incident
related to the performance of official duty: Provided, That government lawyers so
authorized shall have the power to administer oaths: Provided, further, That in such
cases, when necessary, as determined by the Chief of Staff of the AFP or the PNP Chief,

a private counsel may be provided at the expense of the Government.
SECTION 2. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of
Justice, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, and the PNP Chief shall jointly promulgate rules

and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3141

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to provide free legal assistance to any member of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police facing
charges before the prosecutor's office, court, administrative or any competent
quasi-judicial body due to an incident arising from the performance of this
official duty.

Members of our military and police forces are sacrificing their lives for
the preservation of peace and order in our country. Their duties require them
to be in dangerous places and perform tasks that put their lives on the line to
protect our people, freedom and institutions. However, in the course of the
performance of their duties, these uniformed men are sometimes accused of
harassments, human rights violations, and other baseless charges.

This measure aims to provide support to our police and military
personnel when charged or prosecuted in a court or other quasi-judicial body
of an offense arising from an incident related to the performance of their
duties. By providing free legal assistance to defend their innocence and protect
their rights, our men in uniform will be able to perform their duties more
effectively without fear of unwarranted cases being filed against them. This
measure is likewise in support of the administration’s drive against crime and
corruption through the strengthening of our AFP and PNP.

Asimilar version of this bill was filed by the undersigned during the 17
Congress. Support for this bill is again earnestly sought.

2nd District, Davao Oriental


we earvwannrwene

at
12
13
14
15
16
17

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
314

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE FACING
CHARGES BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT, OR ANY COMPETENT
ADMINISTRATIVE OR QUASI-JUDICIAL BODY, ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT
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. The Secretary of Justice, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Philippines
(AFP) or Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) may authorize lawyers of their
respective agencies to provide free legal assistance to any member of the AFP or PNP
who is facing charges before the prosecutor's office, the court or any competent
administrative or quasi-judicial body, a charge or charges arising from any incident
related to the performance of official duty: Provided, That government lawyers so
authorized shall have the power to administer oaths: Provided, further, That in such
cases, when necessary, as determined by the Chief of Staff of the AFP or the PNP Chief,

a private counsel may be provided at the expense of the Government.

SECTION 2. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of
Justice, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, and the PNP Chief shall jointly promulgate rules

and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.