THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
'04 
JUI. -2 
Ai3 :41 
S E N A T E  
S. No. -62S.S 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 6948, otherwise known as "An Act Standardizing and 
Upgrading The Benefits For Military Veterans And Their Dependents" as amended 
by RA No. 7696, has greatly improved the provision of financial assistance to the 
veterans since its passage in 1990. While there are still much to be desired in terms 
of compliance, the government is also hindered, financially speaking, in delivering 
fully what is demanded by the law. 
One reason that stands out among others is the very wide definition given to 
the term "veterans" in RA No. 6948. In this law, those 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, are 
considered a veteran and therefore entitled to the benefits stated therein. 
This bill seeks to redefine the term "veteran" as embodied in said law by 
restricting the application thereof to those who rendered military service in the AFP 
and has been honorably discharged or separated after at least 20 years total 
cumulative service, instead of the original six (6) year total cumulative active service. 
The main reason behind this bill is that the present definition is causing a lot 
of financial strain to the government coffers as even those who are otherwise young 
enough to work are already entitled to pension. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
n 
R 
Senator 
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I 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
JUL -2 
A B  :41 
First Regular Session 
) 
Jntroduced by Senator Biazon 
REDEFINING THE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
AN ACT 
TERM "VETERAN" THEREBY AMENDING FURTHER 
6948 AS AMENDED 
Be i f  enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I ,  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 TWENTY (20) 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 
NationaLDefense shall issue the implementing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. -All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars and 
memoranda inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect sixty (60) days upon approval: 
Provided, That the Department of National Defense has issued the implementing 
rules and regulations for this Act. 
Approved, 
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