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

Eighteen Congress
First Regular Session

House BILL No, 5348

Introduced by Representative JONATHAN KEITH T. FLORES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prosecutors of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) play a very important role in our criminal
justice system. The prosecutor is the primary representative of the State in all matters related to the
resolution of crimes. Prosecutors decide whether to prosecute charges of crimes, misdemeanors and
violations of penal laws and ordinances and when so decided, pursue these in the courts and therein
discharge all duties incident to the institution of criminal actions.

NPS prosecutors investigate and prosecute criminal and felons of all kinds: members of drug
syndicates, terrorists, rebels, murderers, kidnappers, robbers, rapists, pedophiles, extortionists, and the
like. They investigate and prosecute all nature of violations: petty crimes and heinous crimes, ordinary
crimes and organized crimes, crimes violating national security, crimes violating personal liberty.

The government provides survivorship benefits to the Officials and employees of the Office of
the Ombudsman (RA 110591), the members of the Judiciary (RA 9946) and other government officials.
Itis high time NPS prosecutors also be granted survivorship benefits. This would be a recognition of the
sacrifice they have made and continue to make, risking personal safety and that of their families. When
they leave their families, the State should be there to take care of those they leave behind

The grant of survivorship benefits to NPS prosecutors shall not entail additional costs to the State
as the same shall simply be a continuation of the payment of their pension to the surviving spouse and/or
qualified dependent children or parents.

Section 8, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall, from time to time,
review to increase the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of both the government and the private
sectors.

Thus, approval of the bill is earnestly sought



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ,
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative JONATHAN KEITH T. FLORES

§348
House Bill No.

An Act
Granting Survivorship Benefits to the Surviving Legitimate Spouse and
Dependent Children of a Deceased Retired Member of the National
Prosecution Service (NPS), Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other
Purposes

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

Section 1. Survivorship Benefits — In case of the death of a retired member of the
National Prosecution Service (NPS) or a member thereof who is eligible to retire
optionally at the time of death, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children
of said deceased member shall be entitled to receive all the retirement benefits that the
deceased was receiving or entitled to receive. Members of the NPS shall include the
prosecutors in the office of the Secretary of Justice, the Regional Prosecution Offices
and Offices of the Provincial and City Prosecutors. A “dependent” means a legitimate or
illegitimate or legally adopted child who is chiefly dependent on the said deceased
member of the NPS if said dependent is not more than twenty-one (21) years of age,
unmarried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent, regardless of age, is
incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect. The said surviving
legitimate spouse shall continue to receive such retirement benefits during his/her
lifetime until he/she remarries: Provided, the surviving spouse and dependent children
shall each equally share the retirement benefits. Provided, further, in case the deceased
member has no surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children, the parents of said
decedent shall receive such retirement benefits.

Section 2. Appropriations - Funds for the initial implementation of this act shall
be taken out from the current appropriations for the retirement of members of the NPS;
thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation hereof shall
be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 3. Retroactivity - The benefits mentioned in Section 1 hereof shall be
granted to aforementioned survivors of members of the National Prosecution Service
including those who die one (1) year prior to the effectivity of this Act.

Section 4. Effectivity — this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.