Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2677

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION, REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOSPITALIZATION
EXPENSES, AND OTHER BENEFITS, TO CIVILIANS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
BETWEEN REBELS AND THE MILITARY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution states that “Civilian authority is at all
times supreme over the military". The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector
of the people and the State. Its primordial duty is to secure the sovereignty of the State
and the integrity of the national territory.

Sections 4 and 5 of the same article likewise provides that "The prime duty of the
government is to serve and protect the people" and that the maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the employment by all the people of the blessings of
democracy

While said provisions have been incorporated in the Constitution to secure,
among others, the safety of the people, it is quite lamentable that this objective has not
been attained and remains elusive until the present.

Amidst numerous incidents of killings and inevitable displacement of many
Filipinos due to military counter insurgency-efforts, there is an urgent need to alleviate
the sufferings of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire brought about by the
continued armed conflict between the military and rebel forces.


To uphold what is being espoused in our Constitution that civilian authority is
‘supreme over the military, this humble proposal is one mode of easing the hardships
endured by civilians who get caught in the middle and exposed to imminent danger due
to the continued fighting between our military and rebel forces.

In view of the foregoing, we are therefore urging our colleagues to ensure the
immediate passage of this bill.

DIOSDADO-MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO.
Second District, Camarines Sur Sec District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2677

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION, REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOSPITALIZATION
EXPENSES, AND OTHER BENEFITS, TO CIVILIANS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
BETWEEN REBELS AND THE MILITARY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. — This Act shall be known and cited as the "Civilian Compensation
Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Civilian Compensation Fund. — The Civilian Compensation Fund is.
hereby established which shall be administered by the Commission on Human Rights,
hereafter referred to as the Commission.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:

a. The "military" refers to the Armed Forces of the Philippines;

b. A “rebel” is a person who opposes or takes up arms against the government or
its duly constituted authorities.

c. A “civilian” is a resident of the country who is neither a rebel nor a member of
the military,


SECTION 4. Any civilian, as defined in Section 4 hereof, who is killed or injured
in the crossfire between rebels and the military shall be entitled to:

a. an indemnity in the amount not exceeding Thirty Thousand Pesos
(P30,000.00), in case of death;

b. a reimbursement for the necessary expenses incurred for hospitalization,
medical treatment, loss of wage, and the like, in case of injury. Provided, that in
case said civilian is compelled by the military to leave his or her residence prior
to a military campaign, the Commission shall provide emergency housing, food
and medical benefits to said civilian, Provided further, that in case said civilian
incurs material loss, the Commission shall indemnify the former the necessary
amount to cover said loss.

SECTION 5. Any civilian, his or her family, or any other person dependent upon
said civilian for support may file a claim with the Commission: Provided, that the claim
must be filed within six (6) months after the date of the death, injury, compulsory
abandonment of one's residence, or occurrence of other similar events that resulted to
material loss.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall
promulgate the rules and regulation necessary to effectively implement this Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00)
is hereby authorized from the funds of the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated. Thereafter, such amount shall form part of the regular budget of the
Committee.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining part or provisions not otherwise affected shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
tules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,