Bong Go welcomes new law providing free legal aid in line of duty to military
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12177, welcomed the signing of the newly enacted legislation providing free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel (MUP) facing service-related charges.
The RA 12177 institutionalizes legal aid for MUPs involved in administrative, civil, or criminal cases connected to the lawful performance of their duties. The measure applies to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the Hydrography Branch of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
“Matagal na nating ipinaglalaban ito. Hindi dapat pinababayaan ang mga sundalo, pulis, bumbero, at iba pang uniformed personnel kapag nasasangkot sila sa kaso habang ginagampanan lang naman nila ang kanilang tungkulin,” said Senator Go.
“Dapat may masasandalan silang legal support mula sa estado, lalo na kung ang kinakaharap nilang kaso ay bunga lang ng pagtupad sa kanilang responsibilidad.”
Senator Go emphasized that the measure fulfills a crucial need long raised by personnel on the ground—those who, while carrying out orders or responding to crises, sometimes find themselves entangled in legal battles they are ill-equipped to handle alone.
“Our MUPs risk their lives daily for peace, order, and national security. But when they face legal issues because of their duty, they should not be left behind or made to shoulder all the burdens alone. Through RA 12177, the state fulfills its obligation to protect those who protect us,” he said.
“Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, at sa darating pang mga panahon, palaging full support ako sa ating military, police at ibang uniformed personnel. Ang tanging bilin lang namin ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa kanila ay dapat gampanan ang tungkulin nang tama at naaayon sa batas, unahin ang kapakanan at interes ng bayan, at hinding-hindi tayo magkakamali,” he reminded.
The law mandates all concerned MUP agencies to provide free legal representation and related legal services within 24 hours of official notice of a case. Covered services include legal consultations, document preparation, representation in court or administrative proceedings, and assistance with court fees and notarization.
The respective legal offices of each agency will determine the eligibility of personnel for free assistance, based on whether the case is service-related.
Beyond this legislation, Senator Go’s long-standing support for uniformed personnel is reflected in other measures he has championed.
He was one of the authors of RA 11549, which lowered the minimum height requirement for applicants to the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor. This reform made law enforcement careers more accessible to a greater number of Filipinos, especially those from indigenous and marginalized communities.
He also supported the enactment of RA 11200, which restructured the PNP’s rank classification system to align more closely with military designations, promoting better clarity and coordination in operations.
Moreover, Senator Go has consistently opposed proposals that would require military and uniformed personnel to contribute to their pensions, warning that such measures would compromise the financial security of both active service members and retirees.
He has repeatedly stressed that reforms to the pension system must protect—not penalize—those who are currently or have already sacrificed much for the nation.
His legislative efforts also extend to the Philippine Coast Guard. Through Senate Bill No. 2112, Senator Go aims to modernize the agency’s equipment and capabilities, recognizing its vital role in maritime law enforcement, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
“Kailangan may konkretong aksyon para ipakita na pinahahalagahan natin ang serbisyo nila. Kaya patuloy akong magsusulong ng mga batas na tunay na makakatulong sa kanila,” Senator Go affirmed.
So far, Go has authored 17 laws, principally sponsored 84 laws including 82 measures for the establishment or upgrade of public hospitals, and co-authored or co-sponsored 189 other laws.
Before being a Senator, Go was instrumental in fulfilling former president Duterte’s campaign promise of increasing the compensation of uniformed personnel in 2018.
“Noong panahon po ni dating Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte noong 2018—dinoble po natin ang sahod ng pulis, sundalo, uniformed personnel, kasama na po ang Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire (Protection), BJMP, at ipinaglaban po natin ito,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to supporting the military, stating, “Full support po tayo sa ating sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas.”
Go dedicated a substantial portion of his address to honoring the sacrifices made by military personnel. “Our soldiers often find themselves in risky situations that threaten their safety and well-being, while also endangering the future of their families and loved ones, buhay po ang sinakripisyo nila para mapanatili ang seguridad ng bansa,” he stated.
“Iba po ang sakripisyo nila na ginawa para sa ating bayan. Their exceptional service, courage, and heroism also deserve significant recognition,” he noted.
