Marcos signs law for free legal aid for military personnel

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, which provides free legal aid to military personnel.

The law mandates the government to cover legal fees and provide comprehensive services including representation in proceedings, consultations, document preparation, court fees, and notarization for active, retired, or honorably separated uniformed personnel facing civil, criminal, or administrative charges related to their duties.

Tingog Party-list representatives Jude Acidre and Yedda Romualdez commended the president for signing the act, emphasizing its importance in ensuring support for service members throughout their careers.

The law covers personnel from various agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine National Police, among others.

Government agencies involved are required to revise their organizational structures within 90 days to ensure adequate legal assistance, with payment of actual travel expenses and special counsel allowances for government lawyers providing aid.