EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE NO. 1947
(In Substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1181, 1209, 1237 and
December 10 zOZdTT
TIME¥
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Justice and Human Rights; and Finance with 
Senators Gordon, Lacson, De Lima, Deia Rosa, Sotto III, and Angara as authors
AN ACT
CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE JUDICIARY MARSHALS, DEFINING ITS 
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Judiciary Marshals Act."
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as the policy of the
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State to ensure the independence of the executive, legislative, and judicial
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departments of the government to promote efficiency and enable them to perform
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their respective constitutional mandates.
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Towards this end, an independent and organized security force under the
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control and supervision of the judiciary is necessary to secure the performance of its
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constitutionally-mandated duty to administer justice according to the Constitution and
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laws of the land.
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Section 3. Creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals. - There is hereby
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established the Office of the Judiciary Marshals under the Supreme Court, through the
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Office of the Court Administrator. The Office of the Judiciary Marshals shall be


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primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of the members, officials,
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personnel, and property of the Judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and their
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proceedings.
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Section 4. Functions^ Powers and Responsibilities. - The Supreme Court shall
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determine and define the functions, powers and responsibilities of the officials and
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personnel of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals which shall include, but not limited
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to, the following:
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(a) 
To protect, defend, safeguard, watch over, provide security and ensure
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the safety of justices, judges, court officials and personnel, including
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their families, and halls of justice, courthouses, and other court buildings
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and properties;
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(b) 
To conduct threat assessments and undertake investigations and
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forensic analysis of crimes and other offenses committed, including
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potential security threats, against justices, judges, court officials and
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personnel, and halls of justice, courthouses, and other court properties.
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This shall include coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to
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maximize collection and sharing of Intelligence information for purposes
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of identifying threats;
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(c) 
To ensure the safe, secure, and orderly conduct of judicial proceedings
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In accordance with existing rules, guidelines and practice, including
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judicial conferences, seminars and meetings;
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(d) 
To conduct Investigations concerning allegations of irregularities,
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including graft and corruption, committed by justices, judges, court


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officials and personnel, as directed by the Supreme Court, the Chief 
Justice, or the Court Administrator;
(e) 
To assist in the execution of all lawful writs, processes, and orders, and 
shall command all necessary assistance to execute its duties;
(f) 
To assist in the protection of witnesses and in the security in the 
transportation of the accused or witnesses necessary for the 
continuation of court proceedings as may be directed by courts of 
competent jurisdiction;
(g) 
To manage and dispose of assets seized, frozen, or forfeited by courts, 
and deposit public money collected to the National Treasury;
(h) 
To issue subpoenas for the appearance of any person for investigation, 
apply for search warrants before any court of law, and file complaints 
before the Ombudsman, City Prosecutor or the Department of Justice;
(i) 
To take and require sworn statements from any person so summoned, 
in relation to cases under investigation. In accordance with the 
Constitution, existing laws, jurisprudence and rules;
(j) 
To administer the oath of any person in relation to cases under 
Investigation;
(k) 
To make arrests, searches and seizures, in relation to the functions of 
the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, and in accordance with the 
Constitution, existing laws, jurisprudence and rules;
(l) 
To have access to all public records under the custody of any 
government branch, institution, agency or instrumentality, and upon 
proper request made to private telecommunications companies, the


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records of any individual under investigation which shall be treated with 
utmost confidentiality and only for purposes of the case/s under 
investigation, notwithstanding the Data Privacy Act and other laws to 
the contrary;
(m) 
To possess suitable and adequate firearms for their personal safety and 
protection in connection with their duties and responsibilities, and for 
the proper safety and protection of the justices, judges, court officials 
and personnel, and halls of justice, courthouses, and other court 
properties; Provided, that no prior special permit from any other 
government institution or agency for such possession shall be required;
(n) 
To make arrests without warrant for any offense committed in his or her 
presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the Philippines 
If he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be 
arrested has committed or is committing such felony.
(o) 
To issue Mission Orders and Memorandum Receipts for the purpose of 
providing personnel with firearms, ammunitions, and other equipment;
(p) 
To request assistance from and coordinate with the Philippine National 
Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of 
Investigation (NBI), and other law enforcement agencies In connection 
with the performance of the functions and duties of the Office of the 
Judiciary Marshal, notwithstanding the latter's primary jurisdiction to 
investigate crimes and other offenses committed against justices, 
judges, court officials and personnel, halls of justices, courthouses, and 
other court properties;


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(q) 
Establish Judicial Marshal Academy which shall be responsible for the 
recruitment, training, and development of all Judicial Marshals and 
personnel, among others;
(r) 
To perform such other related functions as the Supreme Court, the Chief 
Justice, or the Court Administrator may order, direct and instruct from 
time to time.
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Section 5. Jurisdiction. The Judiciary Marshal shall have primary jurisdiction to
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undertake investigations of crimes and other offenses committed against justices,
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judges, court officials and personnel, halls of justices, courthouses, and other court
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properties.
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Section 6. Officiais of the Office of the Judiciary Marshais and Their
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Assignments. - The Office of the Judiciary Marshals shall be headed by the Chief
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Marshal and assisted by three (3) Deputy Marshals who shall be respectively In charge
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of, assigned and stationed in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
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Section 7. Quaiifications and Appointment of the Chief Marshai. -The Chief
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Marshal shall be appointed by the Supreme Court en banc and shall have a Salary
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Grade of 30. He/She must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, preferably
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member of the Philippine Bar, and must at least have been a full Colonel of the AFP
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or the PNP, or Assistant Regional Director of the NBI, with experience in investigation
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in all instances. Any active member of the AFP, PNP, and NBI shall be considered
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resigned once appointed to the Office of the Judiciary Marshals.
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Provided that a Chief Marshal may be appointed despite not being a full Colonel
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she has a proven track record and adequate experience in investigation and law
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enforcement.
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Section 8. Qualifications and Appointment of the Deputy Marshals. - The
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Deputy Marshals shall be appointed by the Supreme Court en banc and shall have a
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Salary Grade of 29. They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and at least
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have been full Colonels of the AFP or the PNP, or Assistant Regional Directors of the
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NBI, with experience in investigation In all instances. Any active member of the AFP,
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PNP, and NBI shall be considered resigned once appointed to the Office of the
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Judiciary Marshals.
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Provided that a Deputy Marshal may be appointed despite not being a full
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Colonel of the AFP or the PNP, or Assistant Regional Director of the NBI provided that
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he or she has a proven track record and adequate experience in investigation and law
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enforcement.
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Section 9. Genera! Qualifications and Examination. - No person shall be
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appointed as a Judiciary Marshal unless the applicant possesses the following
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minimum qualifications:
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(a) 
Natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
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(b) 
Of good moral character;
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(c) 
Must possess a formal baccalaureate degree 
from 
a recognized
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institution of learning;
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(d) 
Must have passed the psychiatric and/or psychological, 
drug, and
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physical tests to be administered by government hospitals or clinics
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accredited by the Supreme Court for the purpose of determining physical
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and mental health;


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(e) 
Must be eligible in accordance with the quaiification standards set by the
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Supreme Court;
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Must not have been dishonorably discharged from the AFP or PNP, or
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dismissed for cause from any civiiian position in the government;
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(g) 
Must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime
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invoiving morai turpitude;
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(h) 
Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62 m.) in height
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for maies and one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for
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females, unless exempted by the Supreme Court for good cause;
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(i) 
Must neither weigh more nor less than five kilograms (5 kgs.) from the
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standard weight corresponding to their height, age, and sex;
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(j) 
Must not be less than twenty-one (21) nor more than thirty-six (36)
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years of age for new applicants for security agent positions; and
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(k) 
Must be in excelient physicai condition.
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Except for item (j) above, these qualifications shall be continuing In character
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and an absence of any one of them at any given time shall be a ground for separation
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or retirement from the Office of the Judiciary Marshais.
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For the purpose of determining compliance with the requirements on physicai
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and mentai heaith, as well as the non-use of prohibited drugs, the Office of the
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Judiciary Marshals, through an accredited government hospital or clinic, shall conduct
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regular psychiatric and/or psychoiogicai, drug, and physical tests randomly and
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without prior notice.


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Likewise, no Judiciary Marshai may be appointed without passing the quaiifying
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entrance examination administered by the Office of the Judiciary Marshal based on
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the standards set by the Supreme Court.
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Section 10. Organizational Structure and Qualification Standards. -The Office
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of the Judiciary Marshal shall be comprised of the following units:
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(a) The Office of the Chief Marshal shall be stationed in the Supreme Court
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(Head Office).
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(b) The Heads of Office Divisions under the Chief Marshal, shall have the
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following functions:
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1. Judicial Protection Division, which shall provide security and
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protection for justices, judges, court officials and personnel, and their
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families; ensure the safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings,
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meeting, and training; assess and neutralize threats against the
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judiciary on a 24/7 basis; establish a Threat Management Center for
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consolidated information-sharing; maintain security systems for the
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protection of courts, halls of justice and other judicial facilities; assist
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in the service of court processes; assist in the security and protection
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of witnesses and accused while they are in designated danger areas
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for the purpose of testimony and court-related appearances; ensure
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the safety of protected witnesses and their families by providing safe
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and secure housing and transportation of witnesses while In the
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witness protection program; and protect other members of the
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judiciary as may be directed by the Chief Justice or the Court
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Administrator.


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2. Investigation, Forensic, and Intelligence Division, which shall 
undertake investigation and forensic analysis of crimes committed 
against justices, judges, court officials and personnel, and their 
families. Including cold cases; conduct investigations concerning 
allegations of irregularities, including graft and corruption, committed 
by justices, judges, court officials and personnel; and conduct 
intelligence operations in furtherance of the foregoing.
3. Legal Division, which shall issue subpoenas for the appearance of 
persons for investigation; take and require sworn statements from 
persons summoned in relation to cases under investigation; 
administer oaths of persons in relation to cases under investigation; 
apply for search warrants before courts; maintain a database of 
warrants issued by the courts; file complaints before the 
Ombudsman, City Prosecutor or the Department of Justice; assist in 
the execution and Implementation of court orders; and manage and 
dispose of assets seized, frozen, or forfeited by courts.
4. Information and Communications Technology Division, which shall 
establish and maintain an integrated, comprehensive, and state-of- 
the-art network of IT, electronics, and communications equipment 
and facilities to enable the Office of the Judicial Marshal to perform 
its functions; assist and coordinate with the Management 
Information Systems Offices and Divisions of the Judiciary in 
ensuring that the Judiciary Information and Communications 
Technology systems and infrastructure are protected and secured.


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including preparing the appropriate and effective measures to
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prevent and eliminate cyber-attacks; and coordinate with other law
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enforcement agencies on intelligence, investigations, training and
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capacity-building related to cyber-threats against the Judiciary.
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(c) Offices of the Deputy Marshals shall be respectively stationed in Luzon,
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Visayas, and Mindanao.
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The Supreme Court may amend, re-organize, create, and dissolve the divisions
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and sections under the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, as it may deem necessary,
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and for this purpose, shall be authorized to amend or revise the corresponding staffing
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patterns and determine the appropriate qualification standards; Provided, however,
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that the positions, titles, and salaries of its officials and personnel shall be in
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accordance with the position classifications and salary grades in the Judiciary, the Civil
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Service Rules and the Salary Standardization Act; Provided further, however, that all
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officials and personnel appointed under this Republic Act shall be governed by the
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Civil Service Law.
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Section 11. Training and Education. - Judiciary Marshals shall undergo
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continuous training and education to ensure that they maintain and improve their
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skills, knowledge, and capabilities in performing their mandate.
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Section 12. Tenure and Retirement - The Chief Marshal, Deputy Marshals,
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officials and personnel of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals shall serve until they
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reach the age of sixty-five (65) subject to an extension by the Supreme Court en banc
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for a maximum of one (1) year on the basis of good performance, unless they sooner
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become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office or are dismissed by a vote
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of a majority of the Justices of the Supreme Court who actualiy took part in the
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deliberations of their cases and voted thereon.
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Section 13. Administrative and Discipiinary Action. - Existing rules and
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procedure for the administrative discipline of personnel shall likewise govern
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administrative and disciplinary actions against members of the Office of the Judiciary
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Marshals.
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Section 14. Summary Dismissai Power of the Chief Justice.-Jhe. Chief Justice,
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after conducting a summary proceeding, may immediately remove or dismiss any
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Judiciary Marshal should they perform or commit an act that is contrary to the purpose
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for which they were employed.
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Section 15. Initiai Funding. - For purposes of this Act, there is hereby
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appropriated the initial sum of Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) for the salaries,
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wages and other expenses of personnel, the purchase of necessary supplies, materials
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and equipment, and for other purposes. The appropriations for the succeeding fiscal
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years shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sectionie. Impiementing Ruies andReguiadons. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the approval of this Act, the Supreme Court, through the Office of the Court
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Administrator, shall promulgate the rules and regulations Implementing the provisions
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of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations Issued pursuant to this section
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shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
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Section 17. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any of the sections or provisions of this
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Act is adjudged invalid, all its other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid
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and in force.
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Section 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations that may be
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
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accordingly.
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Section 19. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the
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Philippines.
Approve,
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