Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

Explanatory Note:

Republic Act 5059, also known as “An Act Granting Life Pension and Franking
Privilege to Former Presidents of the Philippines” was enacted in 1967, and
under this law, all former presidents are entitled to a tax-free life pension of
PhP 40,000.00 annually. Currently, this pension now amounts to PhP 96,000.00
which is also equivalent to PhP 8,000.00 per month.

Republic Act 2087, also known as “An Act Granting Life Pension and Franking
Privilege to Widows of Former Presidents of the Philippines” which was enacted
in 1958, mandates that the widow/widower of a former president is entitled to
an annual pension of PhP 24,000.00 which is equivalent to PhP 2,000.00 per
month.

Presently, the coverage of both aforementioned measures is no longer enough
to sufficiently compensate former high officials after their respective posts for
they continue to undertake numerous responsibilities upon retirement. Former
Presidents and Vice Presidents are expected to perform post-presidential, and
post-vice presidential duties which involve attending to speaking engagements
and other social obligations which require their presence and expertise.

This measure seeks to provide assistance to former Presidents and Vice
Presidents in the undertaking of various informal and ceremonial public duties
and social obligations. Through this measure, they will be granted retirement
benefits and privileges in respect to the service rendered to the nation.
Furthermore, this is also serves as recognition of the continued stature of these
public officials as public figures.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is eai sought.

JOHN MARNIN “YU SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8526

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT
GRANTING BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO FORMER PRESIDENTS VICE
PRESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES OR THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSES,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5059, REPEALING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2087, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Former Presidents and Vice
Presidents’ Benefits Act of 2018.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
maintain the dignity of the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President
and to honor former Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Republic by granting them
certain benefits and privileges that will allow them to perform the duties and functions
often required of a former President or Vice President.

SEC. 3. Eligibility. - All former Presidents and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to the
benefits and privileges provided under this Act: Provided, That he/she was not
removed from office through impeachment; he/she has not been convicted by final
judgment of any crime involving corruption or moral turpitude; and he/she has not
accepted any appointive employment and/or has not ran for any elective position in the
government after his term of office as President or Vice President.

SEC. 4, Benefits. - Each former President and Vice President eligible under this Act
shall be entitled to the following benefits and privileges for the remainder of his/her
life:

(a) Tax-free retirement pension equivalent to the salary of an incumbent
President and incumbent Vice President for the former President and Vice
President, respectively;


(b) Adequate personal security and protection detail of at least three (3)
personnel to be provided by the Presidential Security Group and to be
augmented by the Philippine National Police (PNP), as the need arises. The
former President and Vice President shall have the right to choose the head of
his/her own security detail;

(c) All mail matters of the former President and Vice President addressed for
delivery within the Philippines shall be received, transmitted and delivered in the
mails of the Philippines free of postage if the envelope or wrapper of such mail
matter bears on the left hand corner the name of said former President or Vice
President; and

(d) Fifty percent (50%) discount on all public transportation and foreign travel
for him and an aide or accompanying person.

SEC. 5. Benefits Extended to the Immediate Family. - The immediate family of
the former President and Vice President shall be entitled to the following benefits:

(a) Personal security and protection of at least three (3) personnel to be
provided by the

Presidential Security Group to be augmented by the Philippine National Police
(PNP) or the children until they reach the age of 21, and for the surviving spouse
for the remainder of his/her life or until he/she re-marries;

(b) In case of the former President's death, the surviving spouse shall be entitled
to a tax-free retirement pension equivalent to the salary of an incumbent
President: Provided, that if such widow/widower of the former President re-
marries, he/she shall lose the benefits and privileges provided under this Act;

(c) In case of the former Vice President's death, the widow/widower shall be
entitled to a tax-free retirement pension equivalent to the salary of an
incumbent Vice President: Provided, That if such widow/widower of the former
Vice President remarries, he/she shall lose the benefits and privileges provided
under this Act; and

(d) All mail matters of such widow/widower, addressed for delivery within the
Philippines, shall be received, transmitted and delivered in the mails of the
Philippines free of postage if the envelope or wrapper of such mail matter bears
on the left upper comer his/her name.

‘SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act shall be included by the Department of Budget and Management in the annual
General Appropriations Act (GAA).


SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision, section or part of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not affect, invalidate or
impair any other provisions, sections or parts hereof but shall be merely confined to
the provision, section or part thereof that is directly involved in the issue upon which
judgment has been rendered.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 2087 is hereby repealed accordingly.
Further, all laws, decrees, orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or other
issuances and parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, including but
not limited to Republic Act No. 5059, are likewise amended, modified or repealed
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the country or in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,