Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

03

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. 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 previously filed by Hon. Joel Mayo 2. Almario
during the 17% and 18% Congresses. Support for this bill is earnestly sought.

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CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO,.
Représgntative
2n4 District, Davao Oriental


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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NINE1

/ENTH CONGRESS,

First Regular Session

2903

HOUSE BILL NO. ~~

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. 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.