Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 158

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT
PROVIDING AN OPTION FOR QUALIFIED MEMBERS IN THE
NONCAREER SERVICE TO PAY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The GSIS is a social insurance program for government employees in
the Philippines, including elected officials. Under the law, elected officials
who are members of the GSIS are required to complete a minimum of fifteen
years of service to be entitled to retirement benefits. However, some elected
officials may not have completed the required minimum years of service due
to various reasons such as failure to be elected again for public office or
inability to be employed in any government position.

This law provides an option for these elected officials to complete the
fifteen year minimum requirement of GSIS by making voluntary
contributions. By completing the required years of contributions, said

member will become eligible for retirement benefits from the GSIS.

Overall, this measure aims to provide a voluntary option for elected

1


officials to complete their required minimum years of contribution to the
GSIS.

It is crucial to point out that this bill was already deliberated upon by
relevant government agencies and civil society groups during the 19th
Congress, was approved by the House of Representatives and was
transmitted and received by the Senate of the Philippines.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval

of this bill is earnestly sought.

SUE a

Representative, 1* District, Bukidnon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

158

HOUSE BILL NO. __

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT
PROVIDING AN OPTION FOR QUALIFIED MEMBERS IN THE
NONCAREER SERVICE TO PAY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997”

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

SECTION 1. Section 13 (b) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8291, otherwise
known as “The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997”, is
hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 13. Retirement Benefits. —
XXX

(b) Unless the service is extended by appropriate
authorities, retirement shall be compulsory for an employee at
sixty-five (65) years of age, with at least fifteen (15) years of
service: Provided, That [if he] A MEMBER WHO has less than
fifteen (15) years of service [, he] may be allowed to continue in


the service in accordance with existing civil 3 service rules and
regulations|.]: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT A MEMBER IN
THE NON-CAREER SERVICE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9,
CHAPTER 2, SUBTITLE A, TITLE I, BOOK V, OF EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987,” MAY AVAIL OF THE
RETIREMENT AND OTHER APPLICABLE BENEFITS UNDER
THIS ACT, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 13-B HEREIN.”

SEC. 2. Section 13-A of RA 8291 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement. - A member who
retires from the service shall be entitled to the retirement
benefits in 15 paragraph (a) of Section hereof: Provided, That
THE MEMBER:

(1) [he] has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;

(2) {he] is at least sixty (60) years of age at the time of
retirement; and

(3) [he] is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from
permanent total disability.”

SEC. 3. A new Section 13-B is hereby inserted to RA 8291, to read as follows

“SEC. 13-B. OPTION FOR MEMBERS IN THE NON-
CAREER SERVICE. - A MEMBER IN THE NON-CAREER
SERVICE WHO HAS NOT CONTRIBUTED AT LEAST FIFTEEN
(15) YEARS OF PREMIUM SHALL BE ALLOWED TO
CONTINUE TO PAY THE FULL PREMIUMS, REPRESENTING
THE PERSONAL AND AGENCY SHARE, UNTIL SUCH
MEMBER SHALL HAVE COMPLETED THE MINIMUM
NUMBER OF YEARS TO QUALIFY FOR RETIREMENT
BENEFIT: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE GSIS SHALL
ALLOW A MEMBER TO PAY THE PREMIUM FOR A LOWER
SALARY GRADE, UNDER REASONABLE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS, TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AND
AFFORDABILITY ON THE PART OF THE MEMBER.”

SEC. 4. Nothing herein shall diminish the retirement and separation

benefits already enjoyed under the existing laws at the time of retirement.


SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the
GSIS shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act or part hereof is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall

remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. All laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended

accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,