TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
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SENATE
37
25 JUL-2 P5:19
iU;.;..
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT 
SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE 
INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
No less than the 1987 Constitution provides, in its declaration of policies, that 
the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity 
and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies 
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of 
living, and an improved quality of life for all.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which was created by 
Commonwealth Act No. 186 as amended by Republic Act No. 8291, is a social 
insurance institution that provides financial benefits and social protection to 
government workers and their beneficiaries.
Among said benefits provided by the GSIS are retirement packages to eligible 
government workers who have rendered the required years of at least 15 years of 
service. However, it is a reality that many individuals who leave government service 
before meeting the minimum years of service for benefits are left with little or no 
protection, effectively excluding them from the retirement safety net.


With this, it is the aim of this proposed measure to allow voluntary membership 
to members who have rendered at least nine (9) years of service in the government, 
and to allow them to continue paying for the remaining contributions needed for 
entitlement to GSIS retirement packages.
Allowing voluntary contributions in GSIS will likewise align its policy with that 
of the Social Security System (SSS), thus ensuring fairness and consistency across 
public and private sectors, especially for those who have moved between the two.
Enacting this proposed measure will allow for more flexible participation in 
social security through broader coverage for Filipinos who have served in government.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
PANFIbO Nr LACSON
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. .^^7
25 JUL-2 P5:19
H! :■
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT 
SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), 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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
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Section 1. A sub-section is herein inserted after Section 3 of Republic Act No.
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8291, otherwise known as " The Government Service Insurance System Act of1997'
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to read as follows:
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"SECTION 3A - VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP - ANY MEMBER
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WHO HAS RENDERED AT LEAST NINE (9) YEARS OF SERVICE IN
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THE GOVERNMENT MAY OPT TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THE
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REMAINING CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED FOR ENTITLEMENT TO
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FULL BENEFITS UNDER THIS ACT; PROVIDED, THAT, THE
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ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE REMAINING MONTHLY
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CONTRIBUTIONS BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
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EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTIRELY BORNE BY THE MEMBER."
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Sec. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:


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"SECTION 4. Effect of Separation from the Service. - A member 
separated from the service shall continue to be entitled to whatever 
benefits he has qualified to in the event of any contingency compensable 
under this ActH WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE RIGHT OF THE 
SAID MEMBER TO OPT FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP TO THE 
GSIS AS PROVIDED IN THE PRECEDING SECTION."
Sec. 3. Section 13 (b) of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"SECTION 13. Retirement Benefits. -
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(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 an 
employee who has less than fifteen (15) years of service, the employee 
may be allowed to continue in the service in accordance with existing 
civil service rules and regulations; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT AN 
EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RENDERED AT LEAST NINE (9) YEARS OF 
GOVERNMENT SERVICE MAY AVAIL OF THE VOLUNTARY 
MEMBERSHIP PROVIDED IN SECTION 3A HEREOF FOR THE 
PURPOSE OF COMPLETING THE CONTRIBUTIONS EQUIVALENT 
TO FIFTEEN (15) YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ENTITLEMENT TO 
FULL BENEFITS UNDER THIS ACT."
Sec. 4. Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"SEC 13-A. Conditions for Entitiement- A member who retires from the 
service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits enumerated in paragraph (a) 
of Section 13 hereof; Provided, that SUCH MEMBER:
(1) [be] has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service, OR HAS
COMPLETED THE CONTRIBUTIONS EQUIVALENT TO


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FIFTEEN (15) YEARS AS A VOLUNTARY MEMBER OF THE
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GSIS PURSUANT TO SECTION 3A OF THIS ACT.
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(2) [t^e-hos] is at least sixty 60) years of age at the time of
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retirement; and,
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(3) [he] is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent
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total disability."
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Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively Implement the provisions
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of this Act.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
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parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
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amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
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general circulation.
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Approved,