FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 949 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution states, "Civilian authority is, 
at a/l times supreme over the military." The Armed Forces of the Philippines 
is the protector of the people and the State. As such, its goal is to secure the 
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. 
Sections 4 and 5 of the same article likewise provide 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. 
It is sad to note that while said provisions have been incorporated in the 
Constitution with the end I view· of securing, among others, the safety of the 
people, this objective has not been attained and remains illusive until the present. 
In the light of incidents of killings and reports on the displacement of many 
Filipinos as a result of the military counter insurgency-efforts, there is a need to 
alleviate the sufferings of civilians brought about by the armed conflict between 
the military and the rebel forces. 
If indeed civilian authority is supreme over the military, this measure is just 
but one mode of eaSing the hardships endured by civilians caught in the crossfire 
as a result of the armed conflict between the military and rebel forces. 
The early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
.....z:~. M. LAP?" 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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OFfiCE O~, '"'C SECiiF ij\flY 
First Regular Session 
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1 0 Jut -8 AID S' 
SENATE 
S.'No. 949 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
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 of 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the 
"Civilian Compensation Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. 
Civilian Compensation Fund. - The Civilian Compensation Fund 
is hereby established which shall be administered by the Commission on Human Rights 
(CHR), hereafter referred to as the Commission. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act--
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 ofthe country who is neither a rebel nor a member of 
the military. 
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SEC. 4. 
Compensation. - 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 One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php100,OOO.OO), 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 
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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. 
SEC. 5. 
Claim Period. - 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. 
SEC. 6. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Commission 
shall promulgate the rules and regulation necessary to effectively implement this Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Appropriation. 
-
The 
amount 
of Twenty 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php20,OOO,OOO.OO) 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 Commission on Human Rights (CHR). 
SEC. 8. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts 
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thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the other provisions no! affected thereby shall remain valid. 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect following its 
complete, publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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