The mentor-student tandem of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez and presidential son, Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos is seeking the institutionalization of free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) who have pending cases involving service-related incidents.
Covered by the proposed statute, as embodied in House Bill (HB) No.8, are uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are also covered, since they are also included in the definition of MUP under existing laws.
If enacted, the measure will be called the "Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act".
The free legal assistance benefit is being sought for MUPs who have pending cases before the prosecutor's office, the courts, or any quasi-judicial or administrative body.
"By providing free legal assistance under this measure, our MUPs who sacrifice their life and limb for the preservation of our national security, public order, and public safety will be able to perform their sworn duties without fear of unwarranted cases filed against them for the purpose of harassment or reprisal," read the bill's explanatory note.
"Hence, this bill will provide free legal assistance to all offices or uniformed personnel of the AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP, and PCG in all stages of criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings arising from service-related incidents, including retired MUPs who had cases or charges involving service-related incidents while still in active duty," it added.
"In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought," the bill further said.
The free legal assistance shall include the following legal services: 1. Legal representation in all stages of civil, criminal, or administrative cases involving service-related incidents; 2. Legal advice or consultations in relation to service-related cases or incidents; 3. Preparation of pleadings, motions, memoranda, and all other legal forms and documents in relation to service-related cases; 4. Notarization of documents in relation to service-related cases; and 5. All other legal services and tasks as directed by the chief of staff of the AFP, the chief of the BFP, the chief of the BJMP, the commandant of the PCG, or the chief of the PNP.
Service-related cases are defined by the measure as civil, criminal, and administrative cases filed against MUPs involving service-related incidents.
Meanwhile, service-related incident refers to any act or omission committed by MUPs in good faith that is the consequence of the discharge of their official functions or the performance of their duties, or that is relevant to their office or to the discharge of their official functions.
Romualdez, the presumptive House Speaker of the 19th Congress, is the longtime president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.
A few years ago, he took Marcos under his wing and trained him on the legislative process while the latter worked as office staff member. Marcos won a House seat during the May 9 polls.
Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre are also authors of HB No.8.