
Approval on Third Reading of Senate Bill No. 2814
Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP)
Sponsor: Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Delivered on January 27, 2025
Mr. President, as your Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, I am honored to have been the principal sponsor and author of several key national policies for our defense establishment.
I may already have served for almost 15 years as a duly-elected Senator of the Republic, but I am truly humbled to be a neophyte in the Defense Committee. Thank you for entrusting this representation with this difficult assignment – where not only have I gained deeper understanding of the complex defense and security issues, but also, my respect, appreciation and admiration for our soldiers and our men and women in uniform have grown exponentially.
I sincerely thank our dear colleagues for supporting the approval of yet another LEDAC priority bill – Senate Bill No. 2814 Providing Free Legal Assistance for our Military and Uniformed Personnel or MUP, which the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also included in their list of priority measures since the 18th Congress.
Salamat po sa ating Pangulo ng Senado Francis “Chiz” Escudero sa masigasig na pagtutulak at pagbibigay importansya sa panukalang batas na ito. Sa ating napakasipag at butihing Minority Leader Sen. Koko Pimentel, our resident legal luminary, sa pagbibigay-linaw sa mga probisyon ng ating panukala, at sa ating magiting na Committee Vice Chairperson at former Chief ng Philippine National Police Sen. Bato dela Rosa sa kanyang mga amendments.
Gayundin sa ating mga kasamahang mambabatas at kapwa may-akda ng panukalang ito – Sen. Bong Go, Bong Revilla, Imee Marcos, Mark Villar, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo at former Senate President Migz Zubiri.
We wish to emphasize that this legislation provides legal assistance exclusively for cases relative to the discharge of their official functions and legitimate performance of their duties. We recognize the unique position of our men and women in uniform who swore to protect national security and public order, run after criminals and apprehend lawless elements; unfortunately, the nature of their work exposed them to harassment suits and counter charges – causing them financial stress, anxiety, and demoralization.
We thank the honorable members of this Senate for providing this much-needed support to our military and uniformed personnel from the AFP, PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, and NAMRIA. Malaking morale boost po ito sa kanilang hanay. Gaya ng nangyari sa period of interpellation, marahil ngayon ay napapa-palakpak ulit sila sa tuwa.
Ngayon po ay muling pinatunayan ng Senado na buo ang ating suporta sa kanilang tapat na pagtupad sa sinumpaang tungkulin, at naka-alalay tayo sa pagsuong nila sa bawat misyon at operasyon. With this, we expect them to be even more relentless in arresting criminals and dismantling syndicates, and demonstrate an even higher level of dedication and commitment to duty without being fearful or intimidated with possible charges that might come their way.
Thank you, Mr. President and our distinguished colleagues.