FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 1404

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The onslaught of terrorist activities and the seeming proliferation of
violent acts perpetrated against the government and other related
establishments place soldiers’ lives in jeopardy.

Admittedly or not, these individuals are at high risk, now more than
ever. In fact, in the Southern part of the country, a number of recent incidents
involving alleged abduction and worse, slaughter of soldiers, while performing
duties, have been recorded both in official reports and major newspapers.

While the government currently undertakes efforts to protect the lives
of its employees, the proposed measure aims to provide assistance to
immediate families of soldiers, who were Killed while performing their solemn
task of protecting the people and defending our country.

Through this bill, these immediate families shall not be displaced in the
event of any untoward incident that may happen to their loved ones working in
government.

Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ba

RUFUS B.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No.. 1404

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF A SOLDIER
KILLED WHILE PERFORMING DUTIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Victim’s
Family Assistance Act of 2010.”

SEC 2. Victim Family Assistance. - The immediate family of a soldier
killed while performing duties shall receive the following amounts and forms of
assistance:

(1) FUNERAL ASSISTANCE- A payment of up to P150,000.00 to the
surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin, as determined in
accordance with appropriate laws, to assist with funeral expenses of the
victim.

(2) DEATH BENEFIT- A payment of 150,000.00 to the surviving
spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin, as determined in accordance
with appropriate laws.

(3) LIVING ASSISTANCE- Beginning one year after the date of death
of the victim, a payment of-~

(a) P2,000.00 per month to the surviving spouse, until the earlier
of the spouse's death or remarriage; and

(b) P500.00 per month to each dependent child, until reaching
the age of 18 years

(4) DEPENDENT UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE-
(a) IN GENERAL- For each dependent child enrolled or

accepted for enrollment in a part-time or full-time program of
undergraduate instruction at any state college and university, an


annual amount not to exceed the amount of P5,000.00 or half the total
annual cost of attendance at such institution.

(b) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE- A dependent child may
receive assistance under this paragraph for not more than a total of 5
years.

(c) GOOD STANDING REQUIRED- The dependent child must
maintain good standing at the institution in order to receive assistance
under this paragraph.

(4) EFFECT OF PARENTAL DEATH OR REMARRIAGE- The
death or remarriage of the surviving spouse does not affect a
dependent child's eligibility for assistance under this paragraph.

SEC 3. Assistance supplements, not supplants other benefits - No
assistance provided under this Act may supplant any benefit or other
compensation paid or payable to the surviving spouse, dependent child, or
other next of kin of the victim by the victim's employer, school, school district,
or local or State government, or by any insurance coverage of the victim.

SEC 4. Funding requirements - An initial amount necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act shall be drawn from the budget of the
Office of the President. Thereafter, beginning the implementation of the next
annual budget, the same shall be incorporated in the annual appropriations
allocated for the Government Service Insurance System and Commission on
Higher Education to implement the provisions of Section 2, pars. 1, 2, 3, and
Section 2, par. 4 respectively.

SEC §. Separability Clause. - |f any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.