Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED PERSONNEL 
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE ON ANY CHARGE BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT, OR ANY 
COMPETENT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT OR INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE 
PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our peacekeepers, the members of our Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, play a critical 
role in the maintenance of national security, peace and order, and public safety in the country. 
They encounter various risks in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, and 
oftentimes their lives are placed in jeopardy. Considering the risks that their role as defenders of 
justice entail, it is imperative that the State provide sufficient support and assistance as regards 
the performance of their responsibilities. This should include access to affordable and quality legal 
services for legal matters arising from their performance of official duties. 
This measure then seeks to provide uniformed personnel free legal assistance for any charges 
arising from an incident or incidents related to the performance of official duty. This should allow 
men in uniform to more effectively carry out their duties without the fear of unwarranted cases 
being filed against them.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 9, 2022
4:04 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY OFFICER OR ENLISTED PERSONNEL 
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE ON ANY CHARGE BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, COURT, OR ANY 
COMPETENT BODY ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT OR INCIDENTS 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. Any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the 
Philippine National Police (PNP), who is facing before the prosecutor's office, court, administrative, 
or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident or incident related to the performance 
of official duty shall be entitled to free legal assistance. 
Sec. 2. Within twenty-four (24) hours from the official receipt of the information that the officer 
or enlisted personnel is charged, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson of the National 
Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), or the Chief of the PNP shall authorize the legal office of their 
respective agencies, with the assistance of the Public Attorneys Office, to provide free legal 
assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the AFP and the PNP for the immediately 
preceding section. 
Sec. 3. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall 
be sourced from the Legal Defense Fund funded through the General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the Public Attorneys Office, in coordination with the AFP, NAPOLCOM, and the PNP shall issue 
the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.  
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days to alter its publication in 
the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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