EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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iM ic r  of ttK & rrrrtn r2 >
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NOV 18 
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S E N A T E
S. No. 
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Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE SURVIVING HEIRS 
OF SLAIN JUSTICES AND JUDGES, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 910, AS AMENDED, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On October 31, 2001, Ilocos Norte RTC Executive Judge Ariston 
Rubio was ambushed along the national highway in Barangay 
Maghuang Batac, Ilocos Norte. Six (6) months after, or on April 25, 
2002, RTC Judge Eugenio Valles of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley 
was shot dead by three (3) armed motorcycle riding assailants.
On September 27, 2002, Tayug, Pangasinan RTC Judge Oscar 
Gary Uson met the same fate. So did Tanauan, Batangas RTC Executive 
Judge Voltaire Antonio Y. Rosales on June 10, 2004.
On December 31, 2005, Pasay City RTC Judge Henrick F. 
Gingoyon was assassinated by perpetrators riding-in-tandem near his 
residence in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.
The more recent ones include Retired Judge Victor Canoy, who 
was shot dead while on his way to an eatery on February 2, 2017, in 
Surigao City; Butuan City Judge Godofredo Abul Jr., who was killed


when unidentified men fired at his vehicle on August 5, 2017; Judge 
Ricky Begino of the Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of San Jose- 
Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, who was killed on June 12, 2018, while on his 
way home; Ozamiz City Judge Edmundo Pintac, who was shot dead by 
motorcycle-riding suspects on October 8, 2018, in Barangay Banadero in 
Ozamiz City; and Judge Reymar Lacaya of Sindangan, Zamboanga del 
Norte, who was shot dead in the town on May 9, 2019. The Supreme 
Court said he is the 30th judge to be killed while in service since 1999.
It is not only trial court Judges who are threatened and intimidated 
as they perform their judicial functions. Members of the appellate courts 
too. One member of the Supreme Court had his car “acid bombed” when 
acid was thrown at his car by motorcycle-riding men. He was in the 
vehicle on his way home. Another member of the Court was threatened 
by means of a funeral wreath delivered early in the morning at the gate 
of his house1 2. Recently, former Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin was in 
the news because of death threats he allegedly was receiving .
The list goes on and on, striking fear in the hearts of our 
magistrates and deep concern to the public at large. Apparently, 
members of the judiciary are not spared from the culture of impunity. 
The Amnesty International even reported that an average of two judges 
are killed each year in the Philippines. On November 5, 2019, RTC 
Ilocos Sur Br. 25 Judge Mario Anacleto Banez was shot dead on his way 
home in Barangay Mameltac, San Fernando City, La Union, by an 
unidentified assailant3.
Dispensing justice can be perilous in the Philippines that it 
becomes difficult to entice legal practitioners to join the Judiciary and 
for the Judiciary to retain idealistic, competent and honest Judges. To 
counterbalance the risks to the Judges and their family that come 
alongside the job of these judiciary officials, providing them with 
appreciable grants and benefits is in order. Hence, this proposed bill,
'Soliven, Max V., By the Way, https://www.philstar.eom/opinion/2004/06/16/254125/if-we-donl46t-avenge- 
murder-judge-rosales-then-justice-will-go-hell-land. 16 June 2004. Last accessed on 20 August 2019.
2 Torres-Tupas, T., Retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin gets death threats,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/! 189455/retired-chief-justice-lucas-bersamin-gets-death-threats, 13 November 2019. 
Last accessed on 18 November 2019.
Mercado, Niel Arwin., Judge dead in La Union ambush, https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/! 186168/break-judge-dead- 
in-la-union-ambush. 5 November 2019


meant to support the Judiciary by granting benefits to the surviving heirs 
of Justices and Judges who may be killed in connection with their office.
This bill likewise hopes to encourage our Justices and Judges to 
dispense justice without fear or apprehension, confident that the 
government will support them, and their families even after they are 
gone.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
AQUILINO “KOKO
ENTEL 111


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
11 7 7
©
 
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■19 
NOV 18 
P 3 1 8
reCl: ••OE'
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE SU R \ IVING HEIRS 
OF SLAIN JU STIC ES AND JUDGES, AM ENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 910, AS AM ENDED, AND FOR
O TH ER  PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. —  This Act shall be known as the 
"Support for the Surviving Heirs of Slain Judiciary Officials Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. — It is hereby 
declared a policy of the State to promote judicial refonns by supporting 
all Justices and Judges of our courts so that they act on their cases 
objectively and fairly albeit risks of injury or death to themselves and 
their families by guaranteeing support for their surviving heirs in the 
event that they are killed or slain in the line of duty.
SEC. 3. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 910, as amended by 
Republic Act No. 9946, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 2. In case a Justice of the Supreme Court or 
Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan or of the Court of Tax 
Appeals, or a Judge of the regional trial court, metropolitan 
trial court, municipal trial court in cities, municipal trial


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court, m unicipal circuit trial court, shari'a district court,
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shari'a circuit court, or any other court hereafter established,
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dies while in actual service, regardless of his/her age and
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length of service as required in Section 1 hereof, his/her heirs
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shall receive a lump sum of five (5) years' gratuity computed
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on the basis of the highest monthly salary plus the highest
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monthly aggregate of transportation, representation and other
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allowances such as personal economic relief allowance
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(PERA) and additional compensation allowance received by
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him/her as such Justice or Judge: Provided, however, That
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where the deceased Justice or Judge has rendered at least
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fifteen (15) years service either in the Judiciary or in any
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other branch of Government, or both, his/her heirs shall
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instead be entitled to a lump sum of ten (10) years gratuity
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computed on the same basis as indicated in this provision:
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Provided, 
further. 
That 
REGARDLESS 
OF 
THE
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NUM BER 
OF 
YEARS 
OF 
SERVICE 
IN 
THE
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JUDICIARY OR GOVERNM ENT, the lump sum of ten
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(10) years gratuity shall be received by the heirs of the
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Justice or the Judge who was killed because of his/her work
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as such[:] AND HIS/H ER SURVIVING SPOUSE OR
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HEIRS SHALL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO RECEIV E IN
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THE M ANNER HEREIN A FTER PROVIDED, THE
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SALARY 
PLUS 
THE 
HIG HEST 
M ONTHLY
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AGGREGATE 
OF 
TRANSPORTATION,
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REPRESENTATION AND O TH ER  ALLOW ANCES
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SUCH 
AS 
PERSONAL
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ALLOW ANCE 
(PERA)
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COM PENSATION 
ALLOW ANCE 
W H ICH  
ARE
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RECEIVED BY AN ASSOCIATE JU STIC E OF THE
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SUPREM E COURT. [Provided, That the Justice or Judge
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has—served—in—Government—for at—least—five (5)—years
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regardless of age at the time-o f death.] When a Justice or
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Judge is killed intentionally while in service, the presumption
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is that the death is work-related.”
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SEC. 4. Section 3 of the Republic Act No. 910, as amended by
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Republic Act No. 9946, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
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“SEC. 3. Upon retirement, a Justice of the Supreme
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Court or of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan or of
ECONOMIC 
RELIEF 
AND 
ADDITIONAL


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the Court of Tax Appeals, or a Judge of the regional trial 
court, metropolitan trial court, municipal trial court in cities, 
municipal trial court, municipal circuit trial court, shari'a 
district court, shari'a circuit court, or any other court hereafter 
established shall be automatically entitled to a lump sum of 
five (5) years' gratuity computed on the basis of the highest 
monthly salary plus the highest monthly aggregate of 
transportation, representation and other allowances such as 
personal economic relief allowance (PERA) and additional 
compensation allowance he/she was receiving on the date of 
his/her retirement and thereafter upon survival after the 
expiration of five (5) years, to further annuity payable 
monthly during the residue of his/her natural life pursuant to 
Section 1 hereof: Provided, however, That if the reason for 
the retirement be any permanent disability contracted during 
his/her incumbency in office and prior to the date of 
retirement, he/she shall receive a gratuity equivalent to ten 
(10) years' salary and the allowances aforementioned; 
Provided, further, That should the retirement under Section 
1(a) hereof be with the attendance of any partial permanent 
disability contracted during his/her incumbency and prior to 
the date of retirement, he/she shall receive an additional 
gratuity equivalent to two (2) years lump sum that he/she is 
entitled to under this Act: Provided, furthermore. That if 
he/she survives after ten (10) years or seven (7) years, as the 
case may be, he/she shall continue to receive a monthly 
annuity as computed under this Act during the residue of 
his/her natural life pursuant to Section 1 hereof Provided, 
[finally] FURTHER, That those who have retired with the 
attendance of any partial permanent disability five (5) years 
prior to the effectivity of this Act shall be entitled to the same 
benefits provided herein: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT 
IF THE RETIRED JU STICE OR JUDGE IS KILLED 
BY REASON OF THE PERFORM ANCE OF O FFICIA L 
DUTY, THE SURVIVING HEIRS OF THE SLAIN 
RETIRED  JU STICE OR JUDGE SHALL RECEIVE 
ALL THE BENEFITS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 
W HEN 
APPLICABLE, 
PLUS 
A 
G R A T U m  
EQUIVALENT TO TEN (10) YEARS SALARY, LUM P 
SUM, TO BE COM PUTED BASED ON ALL THE 
SALARIES 
AND 
O TH ER  
BENEFITS 
OF 
AN 
ASSOCIATE JU STIC E OF THE SUPREM E COURT.


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Upon the death of a Justice or Judge of any court in the 
Judiciary, if such Justice or Judge has retired, or was eligible 
to retire optionally at the time of death, the surviving 
legitimate spouse shall be entitled to receive all the 
retirement benefits that the deceased Justice or Judge would 
have received had the Justice or Judge not died. The 
surviving spouse shall continue to receive such retirement 
benefits until the surviving spouse's death or remarriage. 
UPON THE DEATH OR REM ARRIAGE OF THE 
SURVIVING 
SPOUSE, 
THE 
BENEFITS 
SUCH 
SPOUSE WAS RECEIVING UNDER THIS SECTION 
SHALL BE TRANSFERRED C O LLECTIV ELY  TO 
THE 
SURVIVING 
CHILDREN 
OF 
THE 
SLAIN 
JU STIC E O R JUDG E W HO ARE OF M INOR AGE.”
SEC. 5. Section 3-A of Republic Act No. 910, as amended by 
Republic Act No. 9946, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 3-A. All pension benefits of retired members of 
the Judiciary O R TH EIR  SURVIVING HEIRS shall be 
automatically increased whenever there is an increase in the 
salai7 of the same position from which he/she retired. IF
THE SURVIVING HEIRS OF A SLAIN JU STIC E OR 
JUDGE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE FULL LUM P 
SUIM DUE THEM  W ITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM  THE 
DEATH OF THE JU STICE OR JUDGE, ANY LUM P 
SUM STILL TO BE GRANTED TO THE SURVIVING 
HEIRS OF THE SLAIN JU STIC E OR JUDGE SHALL 
BE COM PUTED 
BASED ON THE DIFFERENCE 
BETW EEN THE AMOUNTS ALREADY RECEIVED 
AND THE TEN (10) YEAR LUM P SUM BASED ON 
CURRENT 
RATES 
OF 
SALARIES, 
BENEFITS, 
ALLOW ANCES AND O TH ER  GRANTS GIVEN TO 
AN 
ASSOCIATE 
JU STIC E 
OF 
THE 
SUPREM E 
COURT.”
SEC. 6. Section 3-B of Republic Act No. 910, as amended by 
Republic Act No. 9946, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 3-B. The benefits under this Act shall be granted 
to all those who have retired OR W ERE KILLED BY


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REASON OF THE PERFORM AN CE O F O FFIC IA L 
DUTY prior to the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That the 
benefits shall be applicable only to members of the Judiciary 
AND/OR T H E IR  SURVIVING SPOUSES AND M INO R 
CHILDREN: Provided, further, That the benefits to be 
granted shall be prospective.”
SEC. 7. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the 
Secretary of Budget and Management, in consultation with the Supreme 
Court, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — In case of doubt, 
the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Act, including its 
implementing rules and regulations, shall be construed liberally in favor 
of the surviving heirs of the slain Justice or Judge.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions 
not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, regulations, orders, 
circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,