Senate OKs bill giving free legal aid to military, uniformed personnel

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to provide free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel facing charges due to incidents related to their performance of duty.

Senate Bill 2814 or the proposed Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act was approved with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstention.

According to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, sponsor of the bill, those who will be eligible for free legal assistance include officers and enlisted 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), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Hydrography Branch of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

Retired, honorably discharged and separated MUP could also avail of the assistance.

SB 2814 also provides that the free legal assistance would include legal representation in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings, legal advice or consultations, preparation of pleadings, motions, memoranda, and all other legal forms and documents, court fees and other related fees, and notarization of documents.

The service-related cases shall be determined by the respective legal offices of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, BuCor, PNP, and NAMRIA.

SB 2814's counterpart bill in the House of Representatives was approved on final reading in December 2022.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved on third and final reading the bill amending the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Senate Bill 2895 was approved with 21-0-0 votes.  

According to Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, sponsor of the measure, the bill clarifies licensing and registration procedures which will promote compliance; strengthens regulations against illegal firearms and enhances public safety; provides for the safe and responsible transfer of firearms in cases of death or incapacity; and establishes an amnesty program to encourage the registration of unregistered firearms nationwide.

The bill is also aimed at reducing red tape in the issuance of licenses and permits by authorizing the Philippine National Police chief to designate a representative to issue a Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence.

SB 2895 provides the following amendments:

• An applicant who has a pending criminal case shall not be disqualified, unless the pending case involves the use of firearms, ammunition, and major parts thereof, or otherwise ordered disqualified by a court of competent jurisdiction;
• Additional individuals or professionals who are exempted from the requirements of a threat assessment certificate;
• The license to manufacture and the license to deal shall be valid for a period of 10 years;
• In recognition of the pride that the sports shooters have brought to the country in several competitions here and abroad, the committee deems it necessary that they be exempted from COMELEC authority to transport during the election period;
• In accordance with the objective of RA 10591 on the proliferation of illegal firearms or weapons, the bill extended the firearms amnesty to three years.

— BM, GMA Integrated News