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Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
` House Bill No.  913 9
Introduced by Representative Jefferson F. Khonghun
AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES
DURING THEIR INCUMBENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
During the 18th Congress, Rep. Loma C. Silverio filed HB No. 597 seeking
to   grant   hazard   pay   to   Regional   Trial   Court   (RTC)   judges.   The   bill,
unfortunately, was not passed into law.
This representation deems it necessary to refile the said bill reiterating
the need of trial courtjudges to receive hazard pay due to the high-risk nature
of their profession in the administration of equitable justice and the speedy
disposition of cases.
In the explanatory note of HB No. 597, it stated that the judges are in
the receiving end of disgruntled litigants, vindictive parties, grave threats and
are mainly exposed to persons who have criminal intents coupled with violent
tendencies. The National government must urgently put an end to the surge
in often-deadly threats against judges.
In 2021, an investigative report which included data from the Supreme
Court, stated that at least 61 lawyers, judges and prosecutors have been killed
under the Duterte administration since 2016. From 2004 to 2021, according
to the report, only seven cases have resulted in charges filed in court.
1


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Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
`House Bill No.  913 9
Introduced by Representative Jefferson F. Khonghun
12      AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES
13     DURING THEIR IHcuMBENc¥ AND AppRopRIATIHG FUNDS THEREroR
14
L5      Be it enacted bg the  Senate and the House Of Represeritafiues Of the Ph:thppines in
16      Congress Assembled:.
17
18      SEC 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Hazard Pay for Regional Trial
19      CourtJudgesAct".
20
21      SEC 2. Scope of coverage -AIl duly appointed judges in the Regional Trial court
22      shall be granted hazard pay during their incumbency in the amount equivalent to
23      twenty five percent (25°/o) of their basic salary per month.
24
25      SEC 3. Appropriations.  - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
26      this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the judiciary under
27      the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
28     for  its   continued   inp]ementation   shall   be   included   in   the   annual   General
29      Appropriations Act.
30
31      SEC 4. Conditions. -  The hazard pay for the judges shall not be subject to tax and
32      nothing in this Act shall be constructed as to diminish, in any manner, any benefit
33      granted by existing laws, rules and regulations, local ordinances and other issuances
34      especially favorable to duly appointed judges in the Regional Trial court.
35
2


1      SEC 5. Application. -The Department of Budget and Management in consultation
2      with the Judiciary shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, issue
3      the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
4
5      SEC  6.  kepealing  Clause.  -  All  laws,  presidential  decrees,  execHtiv€  orders,
6      ordinances,  rules  and  regulation,  and  other  issuances  or part thereof which  are
7      inconsent with this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.
8
9      SEC 7. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect after (15) days after its publication in
10      the official Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation.
11
12        Approved,
3