Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House BillNo.___22.53

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D, ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The late Representative Pedro P. Romualdo originally filed this proposed measure in the previous
Congress. The Explanatory Note of the late Representative Romualdo is herein reproduced and
adopted as the explanation for the filing of this bill:

‘The intent of this proposal is to peg the mandatory retirement age of government employees at the age
of 35 with at least 15 years of cumulative government service so they can enjoy their retirement and
pension benefits while still at a productive age.

‘Those who have been working for 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age at the time of the
approval of this proposal will be allowed to retire on a staggered basis to give them ample time to
prepare for their retirement as well as ensure that the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) can
prepare and manage the increase in volume of transactions on retirement applications and processing.

‘The GSIS must have the funds for the retirement of our government workers and must be able to
manage and act on all retirement applications promptly. The implementing guidelines for this Act shall
be drafted by the GSIS, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Civil Service Commission.

‘At this age, many of our government employees are already suffering from career-related ailments such
fas hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart ailments, rheumatism, cataracts, and many other related
ailments. They hope to use their retirement benefits to partially provide for their health and personal
needs once they retire. Others want to travel with their families while some would like to embark on
professional or business activities, which can also provide employment opportunities for their respective
communities

Let us recognize the need to provide a good retirement package for our government employees whether
from the national government or local government units regardless of nature of appointment.

In view of the foregoing, the support of the Members of Congress for the timely passage of this
proposed measure is earnestly requested.

4 22

XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D. ROMUALDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE NO. Pd 253

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
LOWERING THE RETIREMENTAGE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1146, AS AMENDED BY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Section 13-A of Presidential Decree No. 1146, as amended by Republic Act No. 8291,
is hereby further amended to read as follows:

SEC. 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement. - A member who retires from the service shall
be entitled to the retirement benefits enumerated in paragraph (a) of Section 13 hereof:
Provided, That:

(1) he OR SHE has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;

(2) he OR SHE is at least FIFTY-FIVE (55) [sixty-€60)} years of age at the time of
retirement; and

(3) he OR SHE is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total
disability.

Section 2. In order for Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members, who are at least
fifty-five (55) years of age, meet the other conditions for entitlement to retirement benefits, and
who already wish to retire from the service, to avail of the lowered retirement age provided for in
this Act and receive their GSIS retirement benefits, the following must be observed:

(a) Members at least fifty-five (55) but less than fifty-eight (58) years of age shall file their
applications for retirement and availment of retirement benefits within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act.

(b) Members at least fifty-eight (58) but less than sixty-one (61) years of age shall file their
applications for retirement and availment of retirement benefits within the seventh (7") until
the twelfth (12") month after the effectivity of this Act.

The retirement benefits of such members shall be paid within a year after the final approval of
their individual applications. The GSIS shall adopt a more efficient system for facilitating
clearances for members to avoid delays in the processing of their retirement applications.


Section 2. The GSI, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Civil Service
Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act
within thirty (30) days from the publication of this Act.

Section 3, If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 4. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations and other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (Q)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,