Republic of the Philippines f? «16 Jul 2013. Y ‘
Ww PH) |)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular ion

BILLNo.__1485

HOUS

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to education avails every citizen the opportunity to fully develop his potentials
and provides him with the knowledge and skills that would prove invaluable in his search of a
better life.

Children of soldiers, policemen and firefighters are often faced with an uncertain future
as their fathers/mothers take on the task of saving life and property during fire and other
emergencies. A greater number of these children are unable to continue schooling or complete
their secondary education because of the death of the breadwinner of their family.

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6963, entitled An Act granting special
financial assistance and benefits to the family or beneficiary of any police or military personnel
or fireman killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of his duty or by reason
of his office or position and for other purposes by widening its scope to include dependents of
jail guards and other non-uniformed personnel. It also seeks to make clear the fund source for
the educational grants of the orphaned. Another introduction is the creation of a Board which
will specifically handle the implementation of the provisions of the educational grants.

The men and women of our police force are committed to a vision of a professional,
dynamic and highly motivated foree working in partnership with a responsive community
towards the attainment of a safe place to live, work, invest and do business with, Their mission is
to enforce the law, to prevent and control crimes, to maintain peace and order, and to ensure
public safety and internal security with the active support of the community

In order to further encourage and reward them for their selfless service to the community,
it is important to increase the benefits of the members of the police fore as well as their
families.

We recognize the vital role these people play in our society. Hence, immediate passage of
this bill is earnestly sought.

REPSLANI MERCADO-REVILLA

2™ District, Ca

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

HOUSE BILLNo, 1485

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA.

AN ACT
EXPANDING AND MAXIMIZING THE SCHOLARSHIP GRANT
THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL,
POLICE (PNP), ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), BUREAU OF
FIRE PROTECTION (BFP), AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND
PENOLOGY (BJMP), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO, 6963, ENTITLED "AN ACT GRANTING SPECIAL
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENE! ‘0 THE FAMILY OR BENI
OF ANY POLICE OR MILITARY PERSONNEL OR FIREMAN KIL
PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED WHILE IN THE PERFORMAN
DUTY OR BY REASON OF HIS OFFICE OR POSITION AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 1. The family or beneficiary of any PERSONNEL OF THE
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), ARMED FORCES OF
‘THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
(BFP) AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND
PENOLOGY (BIMP) [police or military personnel, including any

fireman assi:

ing in a police or military action], who is killed or

becomes permanently incapacitated while in the line of duty or by
reason of his office or position, provided he/she has not committed
any crime or human rights violation by final judgment on such
occasion, shall be entitled to the special financial assistance
provided for in this Act in addition to whatever compensation,
donation, insurance, gift, pension, grant, or any form of benefit
which said deceased or permanently incapacitated person or his/her

family may receive or be entitled to."


See. 2. s follows:

ion 2 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read

"Sec, 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. AS USED IN THIS ACT THE
FOLLOWING SHALL REFER TO:

a, PERSONNEL - THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
OF THE PNP, AFP, BFP, AND BJMP;

b. BOARD- THE INTER-AGENCY SCHOLARSHIP
BOARD HEREIN REFERRED TO AS THE

UNIFORMED-PERSONNEL SCHOLARSHIP
BOARD AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 10 OF
THIS ACT;

c. BENEFICIARY - [as used in this Act shall refer to]
The surviving legal spouse and his/her legitimate
children, or parents, or brothers and sister, or aunts and
uncles, in that respective order: PROVIDED, THAT IF
THE PERSONNEL IS A SOLO PARENT, THE
PERTINENT PROVISION OF RA 8972 OR THE
SOLO PARENT ACT SHALL APPLY. Provided
FURTHER, that, if the [police or military] personnel
[or fireman] is ESPOUSING a MUSLIM [Muslim]
FAITH, the pertinent provisions of the Code of Muslim
s(

Personal Laws (Shari' a) shall apply; and

d. DEATH OR INJURY IN THE LINE OF DUTY -

AS USED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEATH OR
INJURY SL ED BY ANY MEMBER OF THE
PNP, AFP, BFP, OR BJMP. THE PHRASE "IN THE

LINE OF DUTY" SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO.
MEAN THAT THE DEATH OR INJURY WAS
CAUSED WHI IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
ANY POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL DUTY
AND OPERATION, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OR



BY REASON OF THEIR POSITION. PROVIDED,
THAT, WHERE THE DEATH OR INJURY WAS
DUE TO HIS/HER OWN ACT, THE LATTER MUST.
BE LAWFUL AND SUCH DEATH OR INJURY
MUST NOT BE SELF-INFLICTED OR ABETTED
BY HIS/HER GROSS NEGLIGENCE,
ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION, OR ABUSE
OF AUTHORITY. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT
THE PHRASE "LINE OF DUTY" SHALL INCLUDE,
GOING TO AND COMING FROM HIS/HER OFFICE,
OR ON ADMINISTRATIVE MISSION, PROVIDED,
FINALLY, THAT ANY DOUBT AS TO WHETHER
OR NOT THE DEATH OR INJURY SUSTAINED BY
ANY PNP, AFP, BFP, OR BJMP PERSONNEL IS IN
THE LINE OF DUTY OR BY REASON OF HIS/HER
OFFICE OR POSITION SHALL BE DECIDED IN
HIS/HER FAVOR."

Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

¢. 3. The special financial assistance referred to in Section one

hereof shall be that which is equivalent to the average six (6)

months salary, including allowances and bonus

s, during the last
twelve (12) months preceding the death or permanent incapacity of
the PERSONNEL [officer] which shall not be considered as part of
the estate of the deceased and which shall be exempt from
attachment, garnishment or execution and from income and other

taxes."

See. 4, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the cashier from whom the deceased
PERSONNEL OF THE POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL
BUREAU [or permanently incapacitated police ot military
personnel or fireman] used to receive his/her salary, within three

(3) days from receipt of a written certification from the station or


unit commander of the fact of death and the circumstances thereof,
to deliver to the beneficiaries such special financial assistance as
stated in Section Three hereof. In case of permanent disability, a
certification by the proper medical officer designated by the
CHIEF OF THE PNP, OR the CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AFP,
OR THE CHIEF OF THE BFP, OR THE CHIEF OF THE BJMP,
[the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the
Director General of the Integrated National Police] as the case may
be, is necessary for the payment of the aforesaid special financial
assistance. After said payment, a report with the formal certificate
of death or permanent incapacity shall be submitted to the CHIEF
OF THE PNP, OR the CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AFP, OR THE
CHIEF OF THE BFP, OR THE CHIEF OF THE BIMP [Secretary
of National Defense or the Director General of the Integrated

National Police]."

See. 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No, 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"See. 5, In order to assure the payment of the special financial
assistance referred to in this Act, without any need of any
appropriation act or ordinance, the payment shall come from the
expected salary, allowances and bonuses of the deceased or
permanently incapacitated POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL

PERSONNEL [police or military personnel or fireman] for the

next six (6) months after his/her death or permanent incapacity:
Provided That, the position left vacant by the deceased or
permanently incapacitated POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL.
PERSONNEL [police or military personnel or fireman] on account
of his/her death incapacity shall not be filled during that period of
six (6) months: Provided, further, That if the public welfare and
interest so demand, as determined by the CHIEF OF THE PNP, IN
THE CASE OF POLICE PERSONNEL; OR THE CHIEF OF
STAFF OF THE AFP, IN CASE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL:
OR THE CHIEF OF THE BFP, IN THE CASE OF FIRE
PERSONNEL: OR THE CHIEF OF THE BJMP, IN THE CASE
OF JAIL PERSONEL, [municipal or city mayor or provincial



governor, in the case of a police personnel or fireman, or the
Secretary of National Defense, in the case of military personnel]
the position left vacant by the deceased or permanently
incapacitated personnel may be filled without waiting for the
expiration of the six months period earlier mentioned, in which
case, the funds out of which the special financial assistance already
received by the family of the deceased or permanently
incapacitated personnel shall be replenished out of the emergency
savings of the CONCERNED BUREAU, UPON THE
DIRECTION IN WRITING BY THEIR CHIEFS OR
DIRECTORS [municipality, city or province, or the department,
upon the direction in writing by the municipal or city mayor or
governor of the province, department secretary,] to their respective
treasurers or cashiers. [Provided, finally, That, in the event of such

emergency, no emergency savings as provided herein exist, the

regional commander or the provincial commander, as the case may
be, may draw augmentation personnel from any municipality in the
province or region to fill up the vacancy until such time that the
municipality where the vacancy occurred can fill up such vacaney

with regular personnel. ]"

6 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

c. 6 If any POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL
PERSONNEL [police or military personnel or fireman] is injured

or wounded while in the performance of his/her official duties, the
hospitalization expenses of such [police or military] personnel [or
fireman] shall be shouldered by the office where he/she belongs,
chargeable against the salary savings of such office without the

need of any appropriation act or ordinance."
See. 7, Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 7. [The surviving spouse] ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES

of the deceased or permanently incapacitated POLICE,
MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL [police, military, fire


or jail personnel] shall be given priority in employment in a
government agency or office where his/her qualifications are fitted.
[;Provided that, if the spouse is already employed or not
employable or if he/she waives his/her employment privilege, then
an employable son or daughter shall be granted the said

privilege.]"

See. 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended ‘o read as follows:

"Sec. 8. A MAXIMUM OF FOUR (4) CHILDREN OF THE
DECEASED OR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED POLICE,
MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL, REGARDLESS OF
THE LENGTH OF SERVICE, SHALL BE EXTENDED
SCHOLARSHIP UP TO COLLEGE IN AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD,
SUBJECT TO THE POLICIES ON THE TUITION OF SAID
INSTITUTION; PROVIDED THAT, ONLY ONE (1) CHILD OF
PERSONNEL IN ACTIVE DUTY WHO SERVED FOR AT
LEAST TWO (2) YEARS PRIOR 7O THE DA Or
APPLICATION FOR GRANT MAY BE ENTITLED TO THE
SCHOLARSHIP; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT, IN CA‘ OF
SINGLE AND/OR UNMARRIED PERSONNEL, THE
SCHOLARSHIP SHALL BENEFIT ONLY ONE (1) AMONG
THE OTHER ENUMERATED BENEFICIARIES AS DEFINED
IN THIS ACT, PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT THE
FUNDS SHALL GIVE PRIORITY TO THE SCHOLARSHIP OF
ALL QUALIFIED CHILDREN OF THE DECEASED OR
PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED. PERSONNEL;
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP SHALL
INCLUDE PAYMENT OR EXPENSES FOR TUITION,
MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER FEES, 4S WELL AS COST
OF BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS. [All surviving children

of the deceased or permanently incapacitated police or military
personnel or fireman shall be extended scholarship up to college in
a nonexclusive institution, subject fo the policies on tuition of said

institution. The scholarship privilege shall be limited to the


National Police Commission or the Department of National
Defense, as the case may be, upon presentation to it of the

approved enrollment or registration form.]"

See. 9. Section 9 of Republic Act No, 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"See. 9, TO FINANCE AND SUPPORT THE SCHOLARSHIP
GRANTS HEREIN PROVIDED; THE NET PROCEEDS OF THE
FIREARMS LICENSE FEES COLLECTED BY THE
FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE, FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) OF THE FIRE
CODE FEES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO PD 1185, A
MAXIMUM OF FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE STATE
SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PURSUANT TO RA 6728, AND TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION  (CHED)
SCHOLARSHIP FUND PURSUANT TO RA 7722 TO BE SET
ASIDE FOR THE TERTIARY LEVEL SCHOLARSHIP GRANT,
SHALL BE REMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD,
PROVIDED, THAT IN ORDER TO SUPPLEMENT THE
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS IN THE TERTIARY LEVEL, THE
CHED THROUGH THE STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES (SUCs) SHALL, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE,
ALLOT AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THEIR TOTAL
ENROLEES TO THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PERSONNEL
FREE OF CHARGE AND EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIRED
QUALIFICATION EXAMS FOR ADMISSION BY THE SUCs
UPON SATISFYING THE SCREENING PROC! TO BE
ADMINISTERED BY THE BOARD. PROVIDED, FURTHER,
THAT ANY DEFICIENCY IN THE FINANCIAL
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
SHALL BE FUNDED OUT FROM THE ANNUAL GENERAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT BY CONGRESS TO BE INCLUDED
IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. PROVIDED,
FINALLY, THAT THE PNP, AFP, BFP AND BJMP MAY, IF



NECESSITATED, GENERATE ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF
FUNDS TO FURTHER SUPPORT THEIR SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM. [The amounts necessary to fund the scholarship
assistance mentioned above shall be taken from the proceeds of the
license fees for firearms collected by the Philippine Constabulary:
Provided, that the collection from the said license fees for one year
following the approval of this Act shall constitute the initial fund
reserve for the purpose of this Act, to be replenished or enhanced

by collections in the succeeding years."

See. 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 10. The SCHOLARSHIP funds collected HEREIN [from
the firearms licensing fees] shall be MANAGED AND
ADMINISTERED BY AN INTER-AGENCY SCHOLARSHIP
BOARD TO BE KNOWN AS THE UNIFORMED-PERSONNEL
SCHOLARSHIP BOARD, THE BOARD SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND.
SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL
DEFENSE AS CO-CHAIRMEN AND FOUR (4) MEMBERS TO.
REPRESENT THE PNP, AFP, BFP AND BJMP.

THE BOARD SHALL SERVE AS THE POLICY MAKING
BODY TO BE VESTED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO COME-
UP WITH THE MECHANICS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN ATTAINING — THE
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT. THE BOARD SHALL
HOWEVER DELEGATE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
IMPLEMENT THE SCREENING, ADMISSION,
DISQUALIFICATION AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIP-
RELATED AVAILMENT PROCESSES TO THE RESPECTIVE
SCHOLARSHIP BODY OF THE PNP, AFP, BFP AND BJMP IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES TO BE DEVISED
BY THE BOARD,



See. 11. Insert

THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT
DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS, GRANTS IN CASH OR IN
KIND, FROM VARIOUS SOURCES, DOMESTIC OR
FOREIGN. SAID DONATIONS SHALL BE USED
EXCLUSIVELY TO COMPLEMENT THE FUNDING
REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING
AND AUDITING RULES AND REGULATIONS; PROVIDED,
THAT ANY DONATION, CONTRIBUTION OR FINANCIAL
AID WHICH MAY BE MADE TO THE BOARD SHALL BE
EXEMPT FROM TAXES OF ANY KIND AND SHALL
CONSTITUTE ALLOWABLE DEDUCTIONS IN FULL FROM
THE INCOME OF THE DONORS, CONTRIBUTORS OR
GIVERS FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES. FURTHERMORE,
THE BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO INVEST SO MUCH OF
THE FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING
ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. [turned over to the National Police

Commission which shall administer the same for the purpose of
this Act in the case of Integrated National Police members and
firemen, and the Department of National Defense in the case of

military personnel.]"

anew Sec. 12 in RA 6963 to read as follows:

"SEC. 12. IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM, ASIDE FROM THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS
FOR ELIGIBILITY PROVIDED FOR UNDER SEC. 8 OF THIS
ACT, THE BI ICIARIES SHALL UNDERGO AND
COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING:

A) SCI NING PROCESS FOR THE AVAILMENT OF
SCHOLARSHIP GRANT TO BE GIVEN ON A
UNIFORMED FINANCIAL, SCALE IN ALL
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL;


B) SCREENING PROCESS TO QUALIFY BENEFICIARIES
UNDER THE SUCs SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME;

©) MAINTAINING GRADE POLICY FOR CONTINUOUS
AVAILMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP GRANT;

D) SCHOLARSHIP DURATION RULE BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:

TERTIARY LEVEL - UP TO 4 TO 5 YEARS
DEPENDING ON THE COURSE

SECONDARY LEVEL - UP TO 4 YEARS

PRIMARY LEVEL - UP TO 7 YEARS

E) SUCH OTHER STANDARDS, RULES, MECHANICS AND
REQUIREMENTS AS MAY BE SET BY THE BOARD.

Sec. 12. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as follows:

¢, 1[2]3, Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prejudice and
MILITARY, FIRE OR

diminish whatever benefits a POLIC
JAIL PERSONNEL [member of the military establishment or the
Integrated National Police] is entitled to receive under existing

laws."

See. 13. Insert a new Sec. 14 in RA 6963 to read as follows:

"SEC. 14, THE UNIFORMED-PERSONNEL SCHOLARSHIP
BOARD CREATED UNDER THIS ACT SHALL PREPARE
AND ISSUE THE NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT."

Sec. 14, Repealing Clause. - All other laws, orders and proclamations, rules and regulations or
parts thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act or its purposes are hereby

amended or modified accordingly.


See. 15. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remaining provision not affected

thereby shall be in full force and effect.

See. 15. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its

publication in two (2) newspapers circulation. Beneficiaries who reach the age of majority and
remains unmarried while enjoying the benefits of this Act but have not completed their
secondary education shall continue to be entitled to the benefits until they complete secondary

school.

Approved,