SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SI;NATI; 
Senate Bill No. 13 ? 9 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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'13 
AUG 28 P 2 :25 
This measure is a consolidated/substituted bill drafted by the Committees 
on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, National Defense and Security and Education, 
Arts and Culture during the 14th Congress. 
This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6963, otherwise known as '~n 
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 petformance of his duty or by reason of his office or 
position, and for other purposes" by expanding and maximizing the scholarship 
grants extended to the family members of PNP; AFP; BFP and BJMP personne" 
A maximum of four (4) children of the deceased or permanently 
incapacitated personnel, regardless of the length of service shall receive 
scholarship assistance until the beneficiary completes his/her college education. 
Funding for the scholarship program shall be sourced from the (1) net 
proceeds of the firearms license fees collected by the PNP-Firearms and 
Explosives Office; (2) 15% of the Fire Code fees; (3) maximum of 5% of the State 
Scholarship of the Department of Education; and (4) 10% of the Commission on 
Higher Education Scholarship Fund. 
Further, any deficiency in the financial 
requirements shall be sourced from the annual budget of the Department of 
Interior and 
Local Government. 
An inter-agency Uniformed-Personnel 
Scholarship Board shall be created to manage and administer the scholarship 
program, including the formulation of mechanic$ and requirement$ for the 
availment of scholarship grants. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
. Senator· 
. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
40ffut uf t~O! .~"rr9't.u,. 
First Regular Session 
'13 
AUG 28 P 2 :25 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 13 '( 9 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING AND MAXIMIZING THE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS EXTENDED 
TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), ARMED FORC ES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), 
BUREAU 
OF 
FIRE 
PROTECTION 
(BFP), 
AND 
BUREAU 
OF JAIL 
MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF 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 of the Phiiippines 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 judgment 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 his / 
her family may receive or be entitled to." 
SEC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6983 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
a. 
"PERSONNEL" - THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL PNP, 
AFP, BFP AND BJMP; 
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" 
b. 
"BOARD"-THE INTER-AGENCY SCHOLARSHIP BOARD 
HEREIN 
REFERRED 
TO AS 
THE UNIFORMED-
PERSONNEL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD AS PROVIDED 
UNDER SECTION 10 OF THIS ACT. 
c. 
the term ''family'' or 'BENEFICIARY - [as used in this Act 
shall refer to] 
The surviving legal spouse and his/her 
legitimate children, or. parents, or brothers and sisters, or 
aunts and uncles, in that respective order: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT IF THE PERSONNEL IS A SOLO PARENT, THE 
PERTINENT PROVISION OF RA 8972 OR THE SOLO 
PARENT ACT SHALL APPLY. Provided, FURTHER, that 
if the [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 
d. 
DEATH OF INJURY IN THE LINE OF DUTY -AS USED IN 
REFERENCE TO THE DEATH OR INJURY SUFFERED BY 
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 AND OPERATION, AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
OR BY REASON OF THEIR POSITION. 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 OR 
AUTHORITY. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE PHRASE 
'LINE OF DUTY" SHALL 
INCLUDE 
GOING TO AND 
COMING 
FROM HIS/HER OFFICE OR ON 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: 
"Sec. 3. The special financial assIstance referred to in 
Section one hereof sryall be tllat which is eql,Jivalent to tile 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 
cQn$!dered a$ part Qf the estate Qf thE;! deceased and which $hall 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: 
"Sec. 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 his/her 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 
CHIEF OF THE BFP, OR THE CHIEF 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 CHIEF 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: 
"Sec. 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 after his/her 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 his/her 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 CHIEF 
OF THE BFP, IN 
THE CASE OF FIRE PERSONNEL; OR THE 
CHIEF OF THE BJMP, 
IN 
THE 
CASE 
OF 
JAIL 
PERSONNEL, [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 


" 
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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 Repuplic 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 higher 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 follows: 
"Sec. 
7. 
[The 
surviving 
spouse] 
ONE 
OF 
THE 
BENEFICIARIES 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 his/her qualifications are fitted. 
[:Provided that, if the spouse is already employed or not 
employable or if he/she waives his/her 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. S. A MAXIMUM OF FOUR (4) CHILDREN OF THE 
DECEASED OR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED POLICE, 
MILITARY, 
FIRE OR JAIL PERSONNEL, REGARDLESS OF 
THE 
LENGTH 
OF 
SERVICE, 
SHALL 
BE 
EXTENDED 
SCHOLARSHIP UP TO COLLEGE IN AN 
EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTION AS MAY BE; DETE;RMINED BY THE BOARD, 
SUBJECT TO THE POLICIES ON THE" TUITION OF . SAID 
INSTITUTION; PROVIDED THAT, ONLY ONE (1) CHILD OF 
PERSONNEL IN ACTIVE DUTY WHO SERVED FOR AT LEAST 
TWO (2) YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR 
GRANT 
MAY 
BE 
ENTITLED 
TO 
THE 
SCHOLARSHIP; 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT, IN CASES OF SINGLE AND/OR 
UNMARRIED 
PERSONNEL, 
THE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
SHALL 
BENEFIT ONLY ONE (1) AMONG THE OTHER ENUMERATED 
BENEFICIARIES AS DEFINED IN THIS ACT. PROVIDED, 
FURTHERMORE, THAT THE FUNDS SHALL GIVE PRIORITY TO 
THE SCHOLARSHIP OF ALL QUALIFIED CHILDREN OF THE 
DECEASED 
OR 
PERMANENTLY 
INCAPACITATED 
PERSONNEL; PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP 
SHALL INCLUDE PAYMENT OR EXPENSES FOR TUITION, 
MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER FEES, AS WELL AS COST OF 
BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS .. [All surviving children of the 
deoeased or permanently inoapaoitated police or military personnel 
or fireman shall be extended scholarship up to college in a none 
exclusive institution, subject to the policies on tuition of said 
4 


'. 
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 6963 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SEC. 
9. 
TO 
FINANCE 
AND 
SUPPORT 
THE 
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS HEREIN 
PROVIDED; 
THE 
NET 
PROCEEDS 
OF 
THE 
FIREARMS 
LICENSE 
FEES 
COLLECTED BY THE FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES OFFICE 
OF THE pHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, FIFTEEN PERCENT 
(15%) OF THE FIRE CODE FEES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO 
PD 1185, A MAXIMUM OF FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE STATE 
SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF Sec. 9. Sedion 9 of 
Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read as EDUCATION 
PURSUANT TO RA 6728, AND TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE 
COMMISSION 
ON 
HIGHER 
EDUCATION 
(CHED) 
SCHOLARSHIP FUND PURSUANT TO RA 7722 TO BE SET 
ASIDE 
FOR THE TERTIARY LEVEL SCHOLARSHIP GRANT, 
SHALL BE REMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD. PROVIDED, 
THAT IN 
ORDER TO SUPPLEMENT THE SCHOLARSHIP 
GRANTS IN THE TERTIARY LEVEL, THE CHED THROUGH THE 
STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (SUCs) SHALL, AS FAR 
AS PRACTICABLE, ALLOT AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF 
THEIR TOTAL ENROLEES TO THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE 
PERSONNEL FREE OF CHARGE AND EXEMPTED FROM THE 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATION EXAMS FOR ADMISSION BY THE 
SUCs UPON SATISFYING THE SCREENING PROCESS TO BE 
ADMINISTERED BY THE BOARD. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
ANY DEFICIENCY IN THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED OUT FROM 
THE 
ANNUAL 
GENERAL 
APPROPRIATIONS 
ACT 
BY 
CONGRESS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
THE 
INTERIOR AND 
LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT. PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE PNP, AFP, 
BFP AND BJMP MAY, IF NECESSITATED, 
GENERATE 
ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FUNDS TO FURTHER 
SUPPORT 
THEIR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. [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 follows: 
"SEC. 10. The SCHOLARSHIP funds collected HEREIN 
[from the 
firearms licensing fees] shall be MANAGED AND 
ADMINISTERED 
BY 
AN 
INTER-AGENCY 
SCHOLARSHIP 
BOARD TO BE KNOWN AS THE UNIFORMED-PERSONNEL 
SCHOLARSHIP BOARD. THE BOARD SHALL BE COMPOSED 
5 


" 
'. 
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SECRETARY OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
NATIONAL 
DEFENSE 
AS 
CO-
CHAIRMEN AND 
FOUR (4) MEMBERS TO REPRESENT THE 
PNP, AFP, BFP AND BJMP. THE BOARD SHALL SERVE AS THE 
POLICY MAKING BODY TO BE VESTED WITH THEAUTHORITY 
TO COME-UP WITH THE MECHANICS AND REQUIREMENTS 
FOR 
SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM 
IN 
ATTAINING 
THE 
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT. THE BOARD SHALL 
HOWEVER 
DELEGATE THE 
RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE 
SCREENING, ADMISSION, DISQUALIFICATION AND OTHER 
SCHOLARSHIP-
RELATED AVAILMENT PROCESSES 
TO 
THE RESPECTIVE SCHOLARSHIP BODY OF THE PNP, AFP, 
BFP 
AND BJMP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES 
TO BE DEVISED BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD SHALL HAVE 
THE. AUTHO~ITY TO ACCEPT OONATIONS, CONT~IBUiIONS, 
GRANTS IN CASH OR IN KIND, FROM VARIOUS SOURCES, 
DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN. SAID DONATIONS SHALL BE USED 
EXCLUSIVELY 
TO 
COMPLEMENT 
THE 
FUNDING 
REQUIREMENTS 
OF 
THE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM 
SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING 
AND AUDITINCS 
~ULES ANO 
~ECSULAiIONS; F'f{OVIDcD, 
THAT ANY DONATION, CONTRIBUTION OR FINANCIAL AID 
WHICH 
MAY BE 
MADE TO THE BOARD SHALL BE 
EXEMPT FROM 
TAXES OF ANY 
KIND 
AND 
SHALL 
CONSTITUTE 
ALLOWABLE DEDUCTIONS IN FULL 
FROM 
THE INCOME OF 
THE 
I DONORS, 
CONTRIBUTORS 
OR 
GIVERS FOR 
INCOME 
TAX 
PURPOSES. 
FURTHERMORE, THE BOARD IS 
AUTHORIZED 
TO 
INVEST SO. MUCH OF THE FUND FOR THE PURPOSE 
OF 
GENERATING ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE 
BENEFIT OF 
THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. [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.]" 
SEC. 11. - Insert a new Sec. 12 in RA 6963 to read as follows: 
"Sec. 
12. 
IN 
ORDER 
TO 
QUALIFY 
FOR 
THE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM, 
ASIDE 
FROM 
THE 
BASIC 
REQUIREMENTS FOR 
ELIGIBILITY PROVIDED FOR UNDER 
SEC. 
8 OF THIS ACT, 
THE 
BENEFICIARIES SHALL 
UNDERGO AND COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING: 
A) 
SCREENING 
PROCESS FOR THE AVAILMENT OF 
SCHOLARSHIP GRANT TO BE GIVEN ON A UNIFORMED 
FINANCIAL SCALE IN ALL EDUCATIONAL LEVEL 
B) 
SCREENING PROCESS TO QUALIFY BENEFICIARIES 
UNDER THE SUCs SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME 
C) 
MAINTAININCS CSAADE. POLICY FO~ CONTINUOUS 
AVAILMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP GRANT 
..... _-
.. _ - -


., 
D) 
SCHOLARSHIP DURATION 
RULE BASED ON 
THE 
FOLLOWING: 
TERTIARY LEVEL - UP TO 4 TO 5 YEARS DEPENDING 
ON THE COURSE 
Sr:CONDARY lEVEL - UP TO 4 YEARS 
PRIMARY LEVEL - UP TO 7 YEARS 
E) 
SUCH OTHER STANDARDS, RULES, MECHANICS AND 
REQUIREMENTS AS MAY BE SET BY THE BOARD." 
SEC. 12. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6963 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Sec. [12]. 13. 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. 13 . - Insert a new Sec. 14 in RA 6963 to read as follows: 
"Sec. 14. THE UNIFORMED-PERSONNEL SCHOLARSHIP 
BOARE> CREATEE> UNDER THIS ACT SHALL PREPARE AND 
ISSUE THE NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE 
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT." 
SEC. 14. All succeeding sections are hereby renumbered accordingly. 
SEC. 15. 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. 
SEC. 16. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of 
its publication in two (2) newspapers circulation. Beneficiaries who reach the age 
of majority and remains unmarried while enjoying the benefits of this Act but have 
not completed their secondary education shall continue to be entitled to the 
benefits until they complete secondary school. 
Approved, 
7 
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