Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.7428 _

Introduced by TUCP Party-List Representative
RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) was chartered under
Republic Act No. 2640 as a public corporation under the control and
supervision of the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).

‘Acknowledging that the second paragraph of Section 2 of RA 2640,
prescribes that all action or decision of the Federation or Supreme Council
shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, the spirit
of this provision at creation has already been overtaken by events. Where
before members associations were constantly at odds with one another, the
Federation has since then unified into a harmonious group and all efforts are
now towards providing more benefits to its members.

Unlike other organizations designated by law as public corporations — such as
the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and the
Knights of Rizal — the VFP operates without autonomy. The law provides that
any action or decision of the Federation is subject to the approval of the
Secretary of the Department of National Defense.

This Bill seeks to relieve the Secretary of the National Defense of the
responsibility of managing the Federation of voluntary members so that the
Secretary can concentrate on his primary governmental function of ensuring
the defense of the country against external and internal threats to national
security and the efficient operation of the government agencies assigned or
attached to the Department. Passage of the Bill will empower the VFP to act
as an independent people's organization. This will further ensure that the VFP


can undertake what it deems as needed policy research, advocacy and other
activities without fear or favor, and answerable only to the public it server. It
will encourage an organization which is truly run by, directed by and
organized solely and purely for the Veterans sector.

The passage of this Bill will finally clarify the working relationship between the
Department of National Defense and Veterans Federation of the Philippines

This Bill seeks to modify certain provisions of the original law to conform to
the current situation and prevailing conditions and enable the Federation to
metamorphose autonomously to better governance practices.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

\YMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA
TUCP Party-List


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._7428

Introduced by TUCP Party-List Representative
RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2640
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO CREATE A_ PUBLIC
CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN AS THE VETERANS FEDERATION OF
THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”.

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

Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 2640 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 1. The following persons, to wit; Emilio
Aguinaldo of Associacion de los Veteranos de la Revolucion;
Margarito Torralba of the AFP Retired Veterans Association
(AFPREVA); Lorenzo B. Cabrera of the Confederation of Filipino
Veterans (CONVETS); Teodoro V. Kalaw of the Defenders of
Bataan and Corregidor; Fausto S. Alberto of the ECLGA Veterans
Association; Enrique C. Rimando of the FAIT Veterans Legion;
Francisco L. Gonzales of the Filipino Disabled Veterans
Association; Basilia M. Baja of the Gold Star Mothers and United
War Widows and Orphans Association of the Philippines; Simeon
C. Medalla of the Hunters ROTC Association; Antonio F. Garcia of
the Magsaysay Veterans Legion; Dionisio S. Ojeda of the
PEFTOK Veterans Association; Primitivo Lovina of the Philippine


National Guard Veterans Legion; Jose V. Andrada of the
Philippine Naval Veterans Legion; Jaime Piopongco of the
Philippine Veterans Legion; Sofia L. Prudenciado of the Philippine
Association of War Widows, Parents and Orphans; Eugenio B.
Recto of the United Disabled Veterans Association of the
Philippines; Gaudencio Antonino of USAFIP-NL and their
associates and successors are hereby created a body Corporate,
[under the control and supervision of the Secretary of
National Defense] under the name, style and title of “Veterans
10 Federation of the Philippines’, hereinafter referred to as the
11 Federation. The principal office of the Federation shall be in the
12 City of Manila, Philippines.”

WOVauUAWNH

14 — Section 2. Section 2 of Republic Act. No. 2640 is hereby amended to read as
15 follows:

16 “Section 2. The said Federation shall have perpetual
17 succession, with power to sue and be sued; to hold such real and
18 personal property as shall be necessary for its purposes, and to
19 receive real and personal property by gift, devise or bequest; to
20 invest its funds for the exclusive benefit of the veterans of the
21 Philippines; to extend, within its capabilities all necessary
22 assistance, and to operate such enterprises as may further the
23 material and moral well-being of veterans; to adopt a seal; and to
24 alter or destroy the same at pleasure; to have offices and
25 conduct its business and affairs in the City of Manila and/or
26 provinces, cities, municipalities and barrios of the Philippines and
27 to amend said laws, regulations and rules; to publish a magazine
28 and/or other publications; and generally to do all such acts and
29 things as may be necessary to carry into effect the provision of
30 this Act and to promote the purposes of said Federation.

31 [Any action or decision of the Federation of the
32 Supreme Council shall be subject to the approval of the
33 Secretary of National Defense.]

34

35 Section 3. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 2640 is hereby amended to read
36 as follows:

37

38 “Section 11. The Federation is expressly exempted from
39 payment of any and all taxes. ALL POSITIONS IN THE
40 CORPORATION, WHETHER TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE,
41 PROFESSIONAL, OR MANAGERIAL ARE EXEMPT FROM THE

42 PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, SALARY


STANDARDIZATION LAW AND OTHER PERTINENT RULES
AND REGULATIONS. THE HIRING AND RECRUITMENT OF
EMPLOYEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE POLICIES OF
THE FEDERATION SET BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

Section 4. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 2640 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 12. On or before the last day of the month
following the end of each fiscal year, the Federation shall make
and transmit to the President of the Philippines [or to the
Secretary of National Defense], a report of its proceedings for the
past year, including a full, complete and itemized report of receipts
and expenditures of whatever kind.

Section 5. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof same shall remain valid
and effective.

Section 6. Repealing Clause - Alll laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,