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

SIXTEETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4024

HOUSE BILL NO.
Tntroduced by HONORABLE EDCEL “GREX” B, LAGMAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Congress has defined Hazard Pay as a “premium given only to government personnel
exposed to hazardous situations such as, but not limited to, assignment in strife-torn or
embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, prison camps, mental hospitals, leprosaria,
radiation-exposed clinics/laboratories/workshops, disease-infested areas and areas declared
under state of calamity or emergency which pose occupational risks or perils to life.” The nature
of the work of Regional Trial Court Judges expose them to risks and perils to life considering the
fact that Regional Trial Court Judges handle heinous crimes, syndicated crimes and drug cases.
They also run the risk of being at the receiving end of disgruntled litigants’ ire who instead of
exhausting their legal remedies opt to put the law in their hands. The judges being the front-
liners of the judiciary since they conduct their hearings of cases on a daily basis are exposed to
the litigants that make them accessible.

The Amnesty International has placed the Philippines judges among those most at risk of
assassination. Data shows that from 1991 to 2012, twenty-two (22) judges have been murdered
or assassinated, thus, making it an average of two (2) judges killed every year.

The Regional Trial Court Judges, through their organization, the Philippine Judges
Association have initially negotiated for accident and life insurance from insurance providers but
the latter impose prohibitive premiums because their actuaries have classified judges as “high
risk” due to the nature of their work, thus even insurance providers acknowledge the perils to life
and limb of their profession.

Just as the public servants whom the law has granted hazard pay, it is imperative for the
State to provide hazard pay to the Regional Trial Court Judges equivalent to twenty-five percent
(25%) of their monthly basic salary since they are also “exposed to hazardous situations...which
pose occupational risks or perils to life.”

Thus, for a more effective and efficient administration of justice, it is imperative for
Congress to provide hazard pay for the Regional Trial Court Judges, hence, the approval of the
bill to grant hazard pay to the Regional Trial Court Judges equivalent to twenty-five percent

(25%) of their monthly basic salary is earnestly encouraged.

EDCEL “GREX” B. LAGMAN


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

SIXTEETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4024

Introduced by HONORABLE EDCEL “GREX” B, LAGMAN

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. All duly appointed judges in the Regional Trial Court shall be granted a hazard
pay during their incumbency in the amount equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of their basic
monthly salary.

SEC. 2. The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be charged
to the appropriations of the Judicial Department under the current General Appropriations Act.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in
the annual budget of the Judicial Department.

SEC. 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, in any manner, any benefit
granted by existing laws, rules and regulations, local ordinances and other issuances especially
favorable to duly appointed judges of the Regional Trial Court.

SEC. 4. The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management shall within sixty
(60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette
and two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,