OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Art. XVI, Sec. 7 of the Constitution expressly provides that "The State shall provide 
immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and 
veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans ..." 
Both the Philippines and the United States of America owe our brave Filipino World 
War II Veterans a debt of gratitude for it is, indeed, their ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives 
that served to protect and defend our country's liberty and freedom. 
Currently, Sec. 10 of Republic Act No. 6948, entitled "An Act Standardizing and 
Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and Their Dependents," as amended, forfeits 
the pension given by the Philippine Government to Filipino World War II Veterans should a 
similar pension be given by the United States Government. 
This should not be, considering that, as aforesaid, we owe the Filipino World War II 
veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude such that a monthly pension is the least we could 
do to show our appreciation and improve their quality of life, especially now that they are in 
their advanced age, weak, sickly and some dying. It would be a great disservice to the 
Filipino World War I I  Veterans if the Philippines withdraws the pensions and benefits it 
grants to them when something similar is given to them by the United States Government. 
Furthermore, the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) of the United States 
House of Representatives approved the bill proposed by the Honorable California 
Congressman Robert Filner to grant pension benefits to Filipino World War II Veterans and 
their widowed spouses. While this landmark legislative measure remains to be approved by 
the United States Senate, its passage is almost assured before the year 2007 ends, 
provided that the benefits received by the veterans and their heirs from the Philippine 
government shall not be withdrawn. 
Thus, this bill proposes to amend Sec. 10 of Republic Act No. 6948, as amended, to 
allow Filipino World War I1 Veterans to continue receiving pensions and benefits given by 
the Philippine Government even when similar pensions and benefits are given by the United 
States Government. Furthermore, the old-age pension of P500 monthly from the Philippine 
Government will also be increased to P5,OOO monthly in this bill. 


The Philippine Government must continue to provide the pensions and benefits that 
our veterans justly deserve and which partially represent the sense of gratitude and honor 
that we have for them. The grant by the United States government of similar pensions and 
benefits should not diminish this in any manner. For the foregoing reasons, the passage of 
this bill is urgently sought. 
/ 
j Senator % 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
OF THE REPUBLIC) 
1 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
v
u
 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT 
ALLOWING FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO CONTINUE RECEIVING 
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT PENSIONS AND BENEFITS EVEN WHEN SIMILAR 
PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, 
AMENDING SECTION 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6948, AS AMENDED, FOR THIS 
PURPOSE 
Be if enacted by fhe Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Filipino World War I1 
Veterans Pensions and Benefits Act of 2007." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to recognize and reward 
the courage and heroism of Filipino World War II Veterans by granting them pensions and 
benefits even when similar pensions and benefits are already provided by the United Stales 
Government. 
Sec. 3. Amendment of Section IO of Republic Act No. 6948, as Amended. - 
Section 10 of Republic Act No. 6948, entitled "An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the 
Benefits for Military Veterans and Their Dependents," as amended, is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"Sec. 10. Eligibility. - A veteran AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2 (A) OF 
THIS ACT who is at least sixty-five (65) years old shall be paid an old-age 
pension of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,OOO.OO) monthly, unless he is 
actually receiving a similar pension for the same consideration from other 
PHILIPPINE government funds [or from the United States Government]." 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 


Sec. 5. Appropriation. - The funding to carry out this Act shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved,