MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from separate congressional districts have renewed efforts to grant a ₱5,000 monthly hazard pay to public prosecutors, highlighting the risks and workload faced by justice frontliners across the country.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Bulacan 6th District Rep. Salvador Pleyto have separately filed proposals seeking to institutionalize hazard compensation for prosecutors under the Department of Justice (DOJ), particularly those handling high-risk and complex cases.

Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, refiled House Bill No. 2664, which proposes tax-exempt monthly hazard pay for DOJ prosecutors assigned to life-threatening cases involving terrorism, illegal drugs, corruption, money laundering, and national security threats.

“In the performance of their functions, they are assigned to investigate and prosecute cases involving national security, dangerous drugs, terrorism, and notorious criminals,” Romualdez said. “As a consequence of their duties and exposure to hazardous situations, many prosecutors have received death threats and a number of them have been killed in the line of duty.”

The bill, co-authored by Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Julian Romualdez, also covers prosecutors assigned to conflict zones, calamity-stricken areas, and remote locations. Funding for the initial implementation will be sourced from the DOJ’s existing budget, with subsequent appropriations included in future national budgets.

Romualdez emphasized the measure’s alignment with the state’s duty to promote peace, protect life, and uphold justice.

Meanwhile, Pleyto’s proposal also seeks a ₱5,000 increase in monthly hazard pay, underscoring the daily dangers and heavy caseloads faced by public prosecutors.

“Napakabigat ng responsibilidad ng ating mga piskal para sa bayan. Mahahabang oras ang kanilang ginugugol, may banta sa kanilang kaligtasan, at araw-araw silang humaharap sa masalimuot at sensitibong mga kaso,” Pleyto said. “Ang dagdag na ₱5,000 ay maliit ngunit konkretong pagkilala sa kanilang sakripisyo.”

As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Pleyto said he intends to push for the inclusion of the proposal in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, and explore additional benefits for prosecutors, such as expanded health and life insurance, disability coverage, and access to mental health services.

He also plans to coordinate with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and fellow legislators to identify mechanisms for implementing the proposal.

A similar measure authored by Romualdez was passed by the House in the previous Congress, and he expressed optimism that it would once again gain strong support in both chambers.

Both proposals reflect mounting legislative support to recognize the risks shouldered by public prosecutors and improve their overall welfare.