FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. B. No. 
577 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It has been observed that the Prosecutors of the Prosecution Offices have been used as 
collecting agents by parties through the filing of complaints for violation of the Bouncing Check 
Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 22). 
This practice, therefore, has unnecessarily drained the time, resources and efforts of the 
Prosecutors which could have been utilized in the preliminary investigation and prosecution of 
more important criminal cases. 
This proposed measure seeks to discourage the practice of indiscriminate filing of B.P. 22 
cases to coerce payment from debtors and using the Prosecutors of the Prosecution Offices as 
collecting agents. As such, this measwe authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Justice 
(DOJ) to fix, impose and collect filing fees for every complaint filed for violation of B.P. 22 to 
address this concern. 
The fees to be collected shall be placed under a Special Account to be named as 
"National Prosecution Service Program Fund", and shall be disbursed for the numerous 
programs that would improve the quality of prosecutorial services and expedite the trial process 
for B.P. 22 related cases. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
(___) Senator 


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S E N A T E  
S.IB. No. 
577 
I 
Introduced b i  Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE P4YMENT OF FILING FEES FOR 
COMPLAINTS 
CHARGING 
VIOLATIONS 
OF 
BATAS 
PAMBANSA BLG. 22, !AS AMENDED, FILED WITH THE 
PROSECUTION OFFIC$S AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the house of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Filing Fees. - Before the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor or 
the Provincial and City Prosecution :Offices of the National Prosecution Service shall talce 
cognizance of any criminal complaint for the violation of the provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 
22, as amended, the party who has filed the complaint shall pay to the Office concerned filing 
fees in such amount as the Secretary of Justice may fix. The amount of such filing fees may be 
increased or decreased by the Secretary of Justice from time to time through the appropriate 
administrative issuance. 
SEC. 2. 
Indigent Complainants. -No filing fees shall be assessed on any indigent 
complainant who files with the Offic? of the Chief State Prosecutor or the Provincial and City 


Prosecution Offices any criminal complaint for the violation of the provisions of Batas Pambansa 
Blg. 22, as amended. 
SEC. 3. 
National Prosecution Service Program Fund. - The filing fees paid 
under the provisions of the Act shaIl constitute the National Prosecution Service Program Fund 
to be administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Up to eighty percent (80%) of the fund 
may be used for employee benefits while the remainder shall be used for continuing legal 
education and human resource development. 
SEC. 4. 
Implementing Rules und Regulations (IRR). - The Secretary of Justice 
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions 
o f  this Act. 
SEC. 5. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. 
Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid. 
SEC. 7. 
Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers o f  general circulation.