I. 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
I 
,JI#j 20 
i2 :; 
1: 
i~ 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The passage of Republic Act Number 6975, otherwise known as "An Act 
Establishing the Philippine National Police (PNP) Under a Reorganized 
Department of the Interior and Local Government and for Other Purposes," has 
introduced significant changes in the organization of the country's police force. 
Prior to the passage of the said law, control and supervision over the 
country's police force, firemen and jail guards fell under the shoulders of the 
AFP. 
Under R.A. No. 6975, the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) is given the power of supervision and control over the 
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management Penology 
(BJMP), while the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) exercises 
administrative control and supervision over the PNP. Meanwhile, the power to 
supervise the affairs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains with 
the Department of National Defense (DND). 
In light of the meaningful reforms brought about by the implementation of 
R.A. No. 6975, it has become imperative for the Congress of the Philippines to 
likewise introduce corresponding amendments to existing laws affecting the 
country's police organization. One of these laws is R.A. No. 6963, otherwise 
known as "An Act Granting Special Financial Assistance and Benefits to the 
Family of Beneficiary of any police or Military Personnel or Firemen Killed or 
Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of His Duty or by Reason of 
his Office or Position, and for Other Purposes" which seeks to grant financial 
assistance to members of the military and police as well as firemen killed or 
permanently incapacitated in the line of duty. 
Under R.A. No. 6963, the AFP and BFP share in the allocation of funds 
from the license fees of firearms collected by the PC-INP Firearms and 
Explosives Office (FEO) to support the educational program of their dependents. 
This arrangement was feasible at the time because the police was still under the 
AFP. But when R.A. No. 6975 was enacted, it resulted in the creation of a PNP 
separate from the AFP and BFP. It becomes logical therefore that the proceeds of 
the fees collected by the PNP through the FEO should redound solely to its 
benefits. Besides, the strength of the PNP is almost equal to that of the AFP and 
therefore, the amount generated out of the proceeds of the license fees will just 
be enough to support the needs of the PNP. Additionally, the AFP and the BFP 
have their own funding sources since they too have their own revenue generating 
activities to support their programs. 
This proposed measure intends to amend the provisions of R.A. No. 6963 to 
reflect the development brought about by the passage of R.A. No. 6975. The 
important features of this proposed measure are the following: 


a. the proceeds of the firearms license fees being collected by the PNP 
Firearms and Explosives Office, which is the source of educational funds 
under R.A. No. 6963 shall be allocated solely for the use of the qualified 
dependents of the PNP; 
b. The educational benefits shall also extend to qualified dependents of non- 
uniformed personnel of the PNP; 
c. The PNP shall manage the amount collected as educational funds for the 
dependents of PNP; and 
d. 'The Chief, PNP shall be authorized to utilize the educational funds for 
other purposes in the PNP. 
It is high time that we provide the much-needed boost to our police 
personnel by showing our concern amidst the challenging role they play in our 
present society. One way of showing our concern is by giving support to the 
educational benefits of qualified dependents of police personnel. Certainly, this 
will help alleviate the economic condition of our personnel. While we are quick 
to condemn the scalawags in uniform, we must also be fast to reward the 
deserving. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is 
earnestly sought. 
(Jenator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON 
"AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT No. 6963, ENTITLED "AN ACT GRANTING 
SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS TO THE FAMILY OR 
BENEFICIARY 
OF ANY POLICE OR MILITARY PERSONNEL OR 
FIREMAN KILLED OR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED WHILE IN 
THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY OR BY REASON OF HIS OFFICE OR 
POSITION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives o f t h e  Philippines 
in Congress Assembled: 
Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Sec. 1. The family or beneficiary of any PERSONNEL OF 
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), ARMED FORCES 
OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION 
(BFP) AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY 
(BJMP) [police or military personnel, including any fireman 
assisting in a police or military action], who is killed or becomes 
permanently incapacitated while in the line of duty or by reason of 
his office or position, provided he/she has not committed any crime 
or human rights violation by final judgement on such occasion, 
shall be entitled to the special financial assistance provided for in 
this Act in addition to whatever compensation, donation, insurance, 
gift, pension, grant, or any form of benefit which said deceased or 
permanently incapacitated person or hidher family may receive or 
be entitled to." 
Sec. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 


"Sec. 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. 
a. 
"PERSONNEL" - AS USED IN THIS ACT SHALL REFER TO 
THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE PNP, AFP, BFP, OR 
BJMP; 
b. 
the term "family" OR "BENEFICIARY" [as used in this Act] 
shall refer to the surviving legal spouse and hidher legitimate 
children, or parents, or brothers and sister, or aunts and uncles, 
in that respective order: Provided That, if the PNP, AFP, BFP, 
OR BJMP [police or military] personnel [or fireman] is 
ESPOUSING a MUSLIM [Muslim] FAITH, the pertinent 
provisions of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (Shari' a) shall 
apply; and 
c. 
DEATH OR INJURY IN THE LINE OF DUTY - AS USED IN 
REFERENCE TO THE DEATH OR INJURY SUFFERED BY 
ANY MEMBER OF THE PNP, AFP, BFP, OR BJMP, THE 
PHRASE "IN THE LINE OF DUTY" SHALL BE CONSTRUED 
TO MEAN THAT THE DEATH OR INJURY WAS CAUSED 
WHILE 
IN 
THE 
PERFORMANCE 
OF 
ANY 
POLICE, 
MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL DUTY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
OR OCCASIONED BY A FORTUITOUS EVENT, FORCE 
MAJEURE, OR ANY OTHER ACT OF A THIRD PARTY 
WITHOUT FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
THE PERSONNEL CONCERNED. PROVIDED, THAT, WHERE 
THE DEATH OR INJURY WAS DUE TO HIS/HER OWN ACT, 
THE LATTER MUST BE LAWFUL AND SUCH DEATH OR 
INJURY MUST NOT BE SELF-INFLICTED OR ABETTED BY 
HIS/HER 
GROSS NEGLIGENCE, 
ALCOHOLISM, 
DRUG 
ADDICTION, OR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY. PROVIDED, 
FURTHER, THAT THE PHRASE "LINE OF DUTY" SHALL 
INCLUDE GOING TO AND COMING FROM HIS/HER OFFICE 
OR WHILE ON LEAVE OR ON ADMINISTRATIVE MISSION. 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, 
THAT 
ANY 
DOUBT 
AS 
TO 
WHETHER OR NOT THE DEATH OR INJURY SUSTAINED 
BY ANY PNP, AFP, BFP, OR BJMP PERSONNEL IS IN THE 
LINE OF DUTY OR BY REASON OF HIS/HER OFFICE OR 
POSITION SHALL BE DECIDED IN HIS/HER FAVOR." 


Sec. 3 .  Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
" S e c .  3. The special financial assistance referred to in Section 
one hereof shall be that which is equivalent to the average six ( 6 )  
months salary, including allowances and bonuses, during the last 
twelve (12) months preceding the death or permanent incapacity of 
the PERSONNEL [officer] which shall not be considered as part of 
the estate of the deceased and which shall be exempt from 
attachment, garnishment or execution and from income and other 
taxes. " 
Sec. 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
" S e c .  4. It shall be the duty of the cashier from whom the 
deceased PERSONNEL OF THE POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR 
JAIL BUREAU [or permanently incapacitated police or military 
personnel or [fireman] used 'to receive hidher salary, within three 
(3) days from receipt of a written certification from the station or 
unit commander of the fact of death and the circumstances thereof, 
to deliver to the beneficiaries such special financial assistance as 
stated in Section Three hereof. In case of permanent disability, a 
certification by the proper medical officer designated by the CHIEF 
OF THE PNP, OR the CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AFP, OR THE 
DIRECTOR OF THE BFP, OR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BJMP, 
[the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the 
Director General of the Integrated National Police] as the case may 
be, is necessary for the payment of the aforesaid special financial 
assistance. After said payment, a report with the formal certificate 
of death or permanent incapacity shall be submitted to the CHIEF 
OF THE PNP, OR the CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AFP, OR THE 
DIRECTOR OF THE BFP, OR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BJMP 
[Secretary of National Defense or the Director General of the 
Integrated National Police]." 
Sec. 5 .  Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
" S e c .  5. In order to assure the payment of the special 
financial assistance referred to in this Act, without any need of any 


appropriation act or ordinance, the payment shall come from the 
expected salary, allowances and bonuses of the deceased or 
permanently incapacitated POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL 
PERSONNEL [police or military personnel or fireman] for the next 
six (6) months aCter hidher death or permanent incapacity: Provided 
That, the position left vacant by the deceased or permanently 
incapacitated POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL 
[police or military personnel or fireman] on account of hidher 
death incapacity shall not be filled during that period of six ( 6 )  
months: Provided, further, That if the public welfare and interest so 
demand, as determined by the CHIEF OF THE PNP, IN THE CASE 
OF POLICE PERSONNEL; OR THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE 
AFP, IN CASE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL; OR THE DIRECTOR 
OF THE BFP, IN THE CASE OF FIRE PERSONNEL; OR THE 
DIRECTOR OF THE BJMP, IN THE CASE OF JAIL PERSONEL, 
[municipal or city mayor or provincial governor, in the case of a 
police personnel or fireman, or the Secretary of National Defense, 
in the case of military personnel] the position left vacant by the 
deceased or permanently incapacitated personnel may be filled 
without waiting for the expiration of the six months period earlier 
mentioned, in which case, the funds out of which the special 
financial assistance already received by the family of the deceased 
or permanently incapacitated personnel shall be replenished out of 
the emergency savings of the CONCERNED BUREAU, UPON THE 
DIRECTION IN WRITING BY THEIR CHIEFS OR DIRECTORS 
[municipality, city or province, or the department, upon the 
direction in writing by the municipal or city mayor or governor of 
the province, department secretary,] to their respective treasurers or 
cashiers. [Provided, finally, That, in the event of such emergency, 
no emergency savings as provided herein exist, the regional 
commander or the provincial commander, as the case may be, may 
draw augmentation personnel from any municipality in the province 
or region to fill up the vacancy until such time that the municipality 
where the vacancy occurred can fill up such vacancy with regular 
personnel.]" 
Sec. 6 .  Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 


"Sec. 6. If any POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL 
PERSONNEL [police or military personnel or fireman] is injured or 
wounded while in the performance of hidher official duties, the 
hospitalization expenses of such [police or military] personnel [or 
fireman] shall be shouldered by the office where he/she belongs, 
chargeable against the salary savings of such office without the 
need of any appropriation act or ordinance." 
Sec. 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Sec. 7. The surviving spouse of the deceased or permanently 
incapacitated POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL 
[police, military, fire or jail personnel] shall be given priority in 
employment in a government agency or office where hidher 
qualifications are fitted: Provided That, if the spouse is already 
employed or not employable or if he/she waives hislher employment 
privilege, then an employable son or daughter shall be granted the 
said privilege." 
Sec. 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Sec. 8. AT MOST, FOUR (4) 
CHILDREN OF THE 
DECEASED OR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED POLICE, 
MILITARY, FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL SHALL BE EXTENDED 
SHOLARSHIP 
UP 
TO 
COLLEGE 
IN 
AN 
EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTION 
AS 
MAY 
BE 
DETERMINED 
BY 
THEIR 
RESPECTIVE BUREAUS, SUBJECT TO THE POLICIES ON THE 
TUITION OF SAID INSTITUTION; PROVIDED THAT, ONLY 
ONE (1) CHILD OF THE PERSONNEL IN ACTIVE DUTY MAY 
BE ENTITLED TO THE SCHOLARSHIP; PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT IF FUNDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE 
SCHOLARSHIP OF ALL QUALIFIED CHILDREN, PRIORITY 
SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF THE DECEASED OR 
PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED PERSONNEL OF THE PNP, 
THE AFP, THE BFP, AND THE BJMP THAN THE CHILDREN OF 
THEIR 
ACTIVE 
UNIFORMED 
PERSONNEL; 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, THAT, IN CASES OF SINGLE AND/OR UNMARRIED 
PERSONNEL, THE SCHOLARSHIP SHALL BENEFIT ONLY ONE 


(1) 
BROTHER 
OR 
SISTER 
WHO 
IS 
UNMARRIED 
AND 
UNEMPLOYED. 
[All surviving children of the deceased or 
permanently incapacitated police or military personnel or fireman 
shall be extended scholarship up to college in a nonexclusive 
institution, subject to the policies on tuition of said institution. The 
scholarship privilege shall be limited to the National Police 
Commission or the Department of National Defense, as the case 
may be, upon presentation to it of the approved enrollment or 
registration form.]" 
Sec. 9. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Sec. 9. THE LICENSE FEES COLLECTED BY THE 
FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE SHALL BE USED SOLELY FOR THE 
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE PNP; PROVIDED, THAT THE 
CHIEF OF THE PNP, MAY UTILIZE PART OR SOME AMOUNT 
OF THE SAID FUNDS FOR OTHER NEEDS OF THE PNP; 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE CHIEF OF THE PNP MAY 
GENERATE ADDITIONAL SOURCE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM COMING FROM OTHER FEES WHICH THEY ARE 
AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT TO FURTHER INCREASE THE 
FUNDS. 
THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE AFP, THE BFP 
AND THE BJMP SHALL BE FUNDED BY SUCH INTEREST 
INCOME AS MAY BE EARNED BY THE AMOUNT OF THEIR 
SAVINGS GENERATED OUT OF THE TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP 
FUNDS SO FAR RECEIVED FROM THE PNP; PROVIDED THAT; 
THE AFP, THE BFP, AND THE BJMP MAY GENERATE 
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF FUNDS THAT WILL SUPPORT 
THEIR 
SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAMS. 
PROVIDED 
FURTHER 
THAT, 
SAID ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF FUNDS 
SHALL 
INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, EXISTING TRUST 
FUNDS ESTABLISHED FOR THEIR BENEFIT; OTHER NON- 
APPROPRIATED FUNDS THEY ARE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED 
TO GENERATE; AND SUCH FEES AND CHARGES THEY MAY 
BE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT. 
[The amounts 
necessary to fund the scholarship assistance mentioned above shall 


be taken from the proceeds of the license fees for firearms collected 
by the Philippine Constabulary: Provided, that the collection from 
the said license fees for one year following the approval of this Act 
shall constitute the initial fund reserve for the purpose of this Act, 
to be replenished or enhanced by collections in the succeeding 
years . ] " 
Sec. 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
roiiows: 
"Sec. 10. The said funds collected from the firearms licensing 
fees shall be MANAGED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE PNP 
THROUGH 
A 
SCHOLARSHIP 
BOARD 
COMPOSED 
OF 
A 
CHAIRMAN AND FOUR (4) MEMBERS WHO SHALL BE 
DESIGNATED BY THE CHIEF OF THE PNP. THE CHIEF OF THE 
PNP IS AUTHORIZED TO INVEST SO MUCH OF THE FUND FOR 
THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR 
THE BENEFIT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; PROVIDED 
THAT, WITH RESPECT TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS OF THE 
AFP, 
THE 
MANNER 
OF 
ITS 
ADMINISTRATION 
AND 
MANAGEMENTS EXISTING PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF 
THIS ACT SHALL PREVAIL; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT, AT 
THE OPTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE BFP AND DIRECTOR 
OF THE BJMP, A SCHOLARSHIP BOARD SIMILAR TO THAT 
PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE CREATED 
FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANAGING AND ADMINISTERING 
THEIR 
RESPECTIVE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
FUNDS; 
PROVIDED 
FINALLY THAT, THE DIRECTORS OF BOTH BUREAUS SHALL 
ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST SO MUCH OF THER 
SCHOLARSHIP 
FUNDS 
FOR 
PURPOSES 
OF 
REVENUE- 
GENERATION." [turned over to the National Police Commission 
which shall administer the same for the purpose of this Act in the 
case of Integrated National Police members and firemen, and the 
Department of National Defense in the case of military personnel. 
See. 11. Section 12. Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
ro 11 OWS : 
"Sec. 12 Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prejudice 
and diminish whatever benefits a POLICE, MILITARY, FIRE OR 


JAIL PERSONNEL [member of the military establishment or the 
Integrated National Police] is entitled to receive under existing 
laws." 
Sec. 12. The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) jointly with the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of 
National defense (DND) shall prepare and issue the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
See. 13. All acts, laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations 
which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, and/or 
modified accordingly. 
See. 14. This Act shall effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its 
publication in two (2) newspapers circulation. 
Approved.