EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
-err?.-
SENATE
ci iljf ferrr.tarv
•19 
JUL25 Ml iH
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 14 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE TO ADD, AS 
AN AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE, THE CRIME HAVING BEEN 
COMMITT ED AGAINST LAWYERS AND JUSTICE SECTOR OFFICIALS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 5 of the Constitution declares that “[t]he maintenance of 
peace and order, the protection of life, libeily, and property, and promotion of the 
general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of 
democracy”.
We are a nation governed by the rule of law. This principle is based on our 
values which state that power is not lodged on any individual ruler but on the people 
and on the law. As such the effective and efficient management of justice is paramount 
to our way of life.
The courts and the lawyers are the ones tasked to ensure that justice is done. In 
the process, they place themselves in harm’s way against people who means to subvert 
justice.
The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers adopted by the Eighth United 
Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, 
provides:
“G u aran tees fo r th e functioning o f law yers
16. Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to 
perform 
all 
of their 
professional 
functions 
without 
intimidation, 
hindrance, 
harassment 
or 
improper 
interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their 
clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and


(c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or 
administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action 
taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, 
standards and ethics.
17. Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of 
discharging their functions, they shall be adequately 
safeguarded by the authorities.”
In recent years, there has been a spate of killings against members of the legal 
profession which should call our government to action to send a clear message against 
offenders who specifically target lawyers and court officials.
Alternative Law Journal reported 114 legal professionals were killed between 01 
January 1999 and October 2014 -  four were Judges, eight were Prosecutors and the 
rest were lawyers.1
This administration alone, at least 40 judges, prosecutors, and lawyers have 
been killed. Of this total, 9 were prosecutors, one was an assistant prosecutor and five 
were judges. According to a news report, almost half were gunned dowTi by 
unidentified men.2 3 4
Last March 2019, an international delegation composed of lawyers from 
Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the United States visited the 
country to investigate on the killing of lawyers since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte 
assumed office by interviewing survivors, victims’ relatives, government agencies and 
prosecutors. Their full report will be ultimately submitted to the United Nations 
Human Rights Council, International Criminal Court and other international 
organizations.3
Attacks against legal professionals, as in human rights defenders, journalists 
and activists, continue to be common practice because suspects “are rarely caught.” 4
1 A lte rn a tiv e  L a w  J o u rn a l. R e trie v e d  fro m  h ttp ://w w w .a ltli.o re /n e w s -a n d -v ie w s /th e -la s t-w o rd /8 3 3 -a tta c k s -o n -la w v e rs -a - 
th r e a t-to -d e m o c ra c v . A ccesse d 2 2  F e b ru a ry  20 1 8 .
2 Gavilan, J. Rappler.com . "LIST: Judges, prosecutors, lawyers killed under D uterte g o v't". Retrieved from  
h ttp s://w w w .ra pp ler.co m /ne w sb rea k/ia/2 1 62 39 -list-iud ee s-p ro se cuto rs-law ve rs-kille d-un d er-d uterte - 
R overnm ent.
3 Samabalud M. and Reysio-Cruz, M. Inquirer.net. "In t'l group in Philippines to  investigate killing o f law yers". 
Retrieved fro m  h ttp s://n e w sin fo .in a u ire r.n e t/1 0 9 6 4 3 2 /in tl-e ro u p -in -p h ilip p in e s-to -in ve stie a te -killin e -o f- 
law vers.
4 P h ilip p in e  S ta r E d ito ria l (2 1  F e b ru a ry  2 0 1 8 ). K illin g  th e  D e fe n se . R e trie v e d  fro m
h ttp ://o ld .p h ils ta r.e o m /o p in io n /2 0 1 8 /0 2 /2 1 /1 7 8 9 7 7 9 /e d ito ria l-k illin g -d e fe n s e  A cce sse d  2 2  F e b ru a ry  2 0 1 8 .


Various human rights groups and lawyer groups have expressed alarm over the 
recent incidents.
In their statement, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines even said that “by 
silencing a lawyer, many victims are also silenced” and that “the series of unsolved 
crimes against lawyers has germinated a dark halo of fear that has paralyzed the most 
important pillars of the justice system“.s
There is a clear need to amend existing law to establish a clear government 
policy to protect our justice system and the persons tasked to administer justice.
To deter commission of crimes against the person and property of lawyers and 
justice sector officials, this bill increases penalty against crimes committed against 
them by considering such crimes as an aggravating circumstance.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
LEILA M. DE LIMA 5
5 Cigaral, I.N and Patag, K.J.Philippine Star. "HRW : 38th law yer killed since D uterte adm in possible 'drug w ar 
m urde r' vic tim " Retrieved fro m  h ttp s://w w w .p h ilsta r.e o m /h e a d lin e s/2 0 1 9 /0 3 /1 6 /1 9 0 1 9 8 8 /h rw -3 8 th -la w ve r- 
kille d-d ute rte-ad m in -po ssib le-dru g-w a r-m urd er-victim .


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.No. 780
of li)f fe'Tr:t.irf
*19 
JIJL25 A lim
p e: : :.
Introduced by SENATOR LEI IA  M. DE LEVIA
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 14 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE TO ADD, AS 
AN AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE, THE CRIME HAVING BEEN 
COMMITTED AGAINST LAWYERS AND JUSTICE SECT OR OIITCIALS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. The Revised Penal Code, Article 14 on Aggravating Circumstances
2 
shall be amended adding a new sub-paragraph, sub-paragraph 22, as follows:
3 
“Art. 14. Aggravating circumstances. — The following are
4 
aggravating circumstances:
5 
XXX
6 
21. That the wrong done in the commission of the
7 
crime be deliberately augmented by causing other
8 
wrong not necessary^ for its commissions.
9 
22. 
THAT 
THE 
CRIME 
BE 
COMMITTED
10 
AGAINST THE PERSON OR PROPERTY OF
11 
LAWYERS AND JUSTICE SECTOR OFFICIALS,
12 
IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR DUTY OR IN
13 
THEIR LAWFUL EXERCISE OF A RIGHT OR
14 
OFFICE.”
15 
Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
16 
presidential proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or parts
17 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
18 
accordingly.


1 
Sec. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in tv\ro (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,