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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Republic Act No. 6948 as amended by Republic Act No. 7696, the definition of 
the term “VETERAN” is as follows: 
“(a)Veteran - any person who rendered military service in the land, sea or air 
forces of the Philippines during the revolution against Spain, the 
Philippine-American war, World War 11, including Filipino citizens who 
served in Allied Forces in the Philippine territory and foreign nationals who 
served in Philippine forces, the Korean Campaign, the Vietnam Campaign, 
the Anti-Dissidence Campaign, or other wars and military campaigns; or who 
rendered military service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and has been 
honorably discharged or separated after at least six (6) years total cumulative 
active service, or sooner separated due to death or disability arising from a 
wound or injury received or sickness or disease incurred in line of duty while 
in the active service;” 
Examining this definition vis-a-vis Article XVI, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution of the 
Republic of the Philippines will reveal an inconsistency. While the subject provision of the 
Constitution states that “The State shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other 
forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns xxx,” a number of 
military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who did not actually participate 
in any of the wars and military campaigns conducted by the AFP were recognized as veterans for 
having been honorably discharged or separated after simply serving “xxx at least six (6) years 
total cumulative active service xxx.” 
On the other hand, there were former military personnel of the AFP who had actually 
participated in the AFP combat operations in the AFP wars and military campaigns, but were 
unfortunately denied recognition as veterans, simply because they served less than six (6) years 
of honorable military service. They were, however, honorably discharged or separated from the 
military service. Military personnel of the AFP who rendered military service in the Korean 
Campaign or Vietnam Campaign even for less than six (6) years of military service in such 
campaigns were recognized as veterans. There is no significant difference between rendering 
military service in the Korean Campaign or Vietnam Campaign and engaging in combat in the 
Anti-Dissidence Campaign or other wars and military campaigns of the AFP (against the forces 
of the Bangsa Mor0 Republic of Mindanao, the MNLF, MILF, the KAMLON Campaign, etc.) in 
Philippine Territory. They both involved the risk of life and limb and were all service to the 
Filipino Nation. It is evident, therefore, that the definition of the last category of “VETERAN” in 
Republic Act No. 6948 as amended-by Republic Act No. 7696, is wanting. 
Based on the foregoing facts, there appears to be a disparity between the provision of the 
law and that of the Constitution. This can be rectified by amending Republic Act No. 6948 as 
amended by Republic Act No. 7696. This way, only the real veterans qualified by Article XVI, 
Section 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the fundamental law of the land, 
shall be recognized. 
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Approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
AN ACT REDEFINING THE TERM “VETERAN” THEREBY AMENDING FURTHER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6948 AS AMENDED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 2(a), Title I of Republic Act No. 6948 is amended to read as follows: 
“(a) 
Veteran - any person who IS A WAR VETERAN OR A VETERAN OF 
MILITARY CAMPAIGN. A WAR VETERAN IS any person who rendered military service 
in the land, sea or air forces of the Philippines during the Revolution against Spain, the 
Philippine-American War and the World War 11, including Filipino citizens who served with the 
Allied Forces in Philippine territory and foreign nationals who served in the Philippine Forces. 
A VETERAN OF MILITARY CAMPAIGN IS ANY PERSON WHO BECAME PART OF 
THE PHILIPPINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES SENT TO THE KOREAN WAR AND 
THE PHILIPPINE CITIZENS ACTION GROUP SENT TO THE VIETNAM WAR, or 
who rendered military service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and has been honorably 
discharged or separated after at least FIFTEEN (15) years total cumulative active service, or 
sooner separated due to death or disability arising from a wound or injury received or sickness or 
disease incurred in line of duty while in the active service;” 
SEC. 2. 
For purposes of the administration of veterans benefits provided for in Republic Act 
No. 6948 as amended by Republic Act No. 7696, the Department of National Defense shall issue 
the implementing rules and regulations. 


SEC. 3. 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 4. 
That the Department of National Defense has issued the implementing rules and regulations for 
this Act. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars and memoranda 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect sixty (60) days upon approval: Provided, 
Approved,