The proposed Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Act was approved on third and final reading Monday afternoon, Dec. 12, by the House of Representatives during a busy session.
The measure, embodied in House Bill (HB) No.6509, was just one of 16 bills passed on third and final reading on Monday, at least as of press time. Wednesday, Dec. 14, is the last session day for the year.
Deputy Speaker and Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab, who presided over the plenary session, announced the nominal voting result for the measure as follows: 248 affirmative, three negative, and zero abstentions.
Included in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), the measure aims to provide free legal aid to members of the MUP who are charged with crimes done in relation to the performance of their duties.
Covered under HB No,6509 are officers or uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) who are facing charges before the prosecutor’s office, courts or any competent body arising from an incident related to their official duties.
“It is the declared policy of the State to protect the dignity and rights of its citizens, including those responsible for upholding the Constitution, defending the sovereignty of the country and its territory against all enemies, enforcing the laws of the land, preventing crimes, and maintaining peace and order,” read HB No. 6509
“To this end, the State shall provide free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel (MUP),” it continued, enumerating the list of uniformed personnel covered by the free legal aid for any “criminal, civil or administrative charge or case involving service-related incidents.”
If the measure is passed into law, it will also be applicable to all MUPs with pending charges covered under the bill.
“This Act shall also apply to all officers and uniformed personnel of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, or PNP who have pending cases involving service-related incidents before the prosecutor’s office, the courts, or any quasi-judicial or administrative body,” it read.
Furthermore, all those granted with free legal assistance will continue to enjoy such legal aid “even after their retirement from service".
“Retired officers or uniformed personnel of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, or PNP shall also be given free legal assistance for cases or charges involving service-related incidents committed by such retired officers or uniformed personnel while still in active duty,” the measure read.
According to the bill, if a covered MUP is charged and is qualified, his head of office is mandated to apply the provision on free legal aid within 24 hours through their respective legal offices.
Legal aid, under HB No.6509, include the following:
- Legal representation in all stages of civil, criminal or administrative proceedings involving service-related incidents;
- Legal advice or consultations in relation to service-related cases or incidents;
- Preparation of pleadings, motions, memoranda, and all other legal forms and documents in relation to service-related cases;
- Notarization of documents in relation to service-related cases; and
- 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.
The main authors of the bill includeHouse Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, Committee on Accounts Chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.