Sponsored by Tingog party-list group
TACLOBAN CITY– Tingog party-list, led by Rep. Yedda Romualdez and Rep. Jude Acidre, hailed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, as a landmark measure that reinforces the government’s duty to support those who risk their lives in the service of the nation.
The newly signed law mandates the provision of free legal assistance to members of the military and uniformed services (MUPs) facing criminal, civil, or administrative charges arising from the lawful performance of their duties.
Legal support includes representation, legal advice, preparation of pleadings, and coverage of court fees and notarization costs.
“This law recognizes that the call to serve does not end when the mission does,” Rep. Acidre, who also serves as a member of the Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said.
“For those who face legal consequences in the line of duty, RA 12177 ensures that their service is not met with silence, but with tangible support,” he added.
Acidre sponsored and defended the measure during plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives, underscoring its urgency and importance in protecting the rights and welfare of the country’s uniformed personnel.
Covered under the law are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the NAMRIA Hydrography Branch. Retired or honorably separated personnel are also eligible for assistance on service-related cases committed while still in active service.
To ensure swift implementation, agencies are required to respond to charges within 24 hours, mobilizing legal officers to assist qualified personnel. Government funding for this purpose will be included in the General Appropriations Act.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who co-authored the measure, described RA 12177 as “proof that the Marcos administration does not leave its defenders behind.” Tingog emphasized the law’s alignment with its broader legislative agenda of strengthening legal, fiscal, and institutional support for MUPs.
“Legislation must meet the realities on the ground,” said Tingog Representative Yedda Romualdez. “This is about more than legal representation—it’s about safeguarding the ability of our uniformed personnel to carry out their duties without fear that they’ll be left behind when challenges arise.”
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
