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

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

INDEY

HOUSE BILL No._5451

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres Gomer,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to honor and give due recognition to the men in
uniform, both military and police personnel, who have distinguished
themselves by conspicuous gallantry at the risk of their lives above and
beyond the call of duty. Institutionalizing the Con; ional Medal of
Honor, this measure would authorize the President to bestow, in the name
of Congress, this medal of distinction to our brave men and women in
uniform.

At present, Filipino military and police personnel who died in the
line of duty, or who have rendered distinctive acts of heroism and
gallantry are awarded the Medal of Valor under Republic Act No. 9049
(March 22, 2001) with corresponding privileges and entitlements. ‘The
country, however, does not yet have the so-called Congressional Medal
of Honor (CMH) as it exists in the United States.

In view, however, of the tragic Mamasapano, Maguindanao
incident last January 25, 2015 wherein forty-four (44) Special Action
Force (SAF) troopers of the Philippine National Police were slain while
simply in the course of serving a warrant of arrest against international
terrorist Marwan and Filipino bomber Basit Usman, it is deemed timely
to revisit the system of awards granted to our gallant military and police
personnel. It is also deemed opportune to recognize the role of Congress,
as the assembly of our peoples’ representatives, in the process of
honoring our fallen troopers.

This bill does not amend or repeal the Medal of Valor award
bestowed by the Executive Branch of our government under RA 9049.
Rather, it establishes the Congressional Medal of Honor with an entirely


separate and distinct set of benefits and privileges which would granted in
addition to all other benefits provided by existing laws.

In view of all the foregoing considerations, the early approval of
this bill is earnestly requested.

ae)
“LUCY TORRES cau

Represemtative
Fourth District of Leyte


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

Sixteenth Con
Second Regular Se:

ion

HOUSE BILL NO. 5451

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres Gomez

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR,
AUTHORIZING HEREBY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
PHILIPPINES TO BESTOW, IN THE N E yf S.
THE MEDAL UPON MILITARY AND POLICE PE
WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELV
CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AT THE RISK OF THEIR LIVES
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

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

SECTION 1. The Congressional Medal of Honor is hereby
established, authorizing the President of the Philippines to bestow, in the
name of Congress, the medal upon military and police personnel who
have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry at the risk of

their lives beyond the call of duty.

°.2. The Congressional Medal of Honor may be conferred:
(a) For action against any enemy of the Republic of the Philippines;

(b) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an

opposing force;


(c) While serving with friendly forces (for example, United

Nations’ forces) in an armed conflict against an opposing armed

force in which the Philippines is not a belligerent party.

Ss 3. Congress, through a concurrent resolution, shall identify

the awardee and submit the same forthwith to the President for the

necessary conferment.

SEC. 4. Each awardee or recipient shall be entitled to the following
benefits:
(a) Have his/her name entered in the Medal of Honor (MOH) Roll:
(b)A special pension rate of P 20,000.00, in addition to all other
benefits under existing laws;

(c)Commissary and exchange privileges, including eligible

dependents;

(d) Eligibility for internment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani;

(e)Fully qualified children of MOH recipients are eligible for
admission to Philippine military/police academies without
regard to nomination and quota requirements;

(f) 10% increase in retirement pay;

(g) To receive a MOH flag;

(h) To wear the MOH on appropriate civilian clothing:


(i) The use of special license plates, at no cost to the recipient; and
(j) If the recipient is wearing the medal, members of the uniformed
services are encouraged to render salutes to the recipient of the
MOH, as a matter of respect and courtesy, regardless of rank
and status.
In case of death of the recipient or awardee, the pecuniary
benefits or entitlements herein enumerated, except those purely personal

to the awardee, shall be enjoyed by his or her dependents.

SEC. 5. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of

this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC.6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation,

Approved,