THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
THIRD REGULAR SESSION 
1 
R 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The onslaught of terrorist activities and the seeming proliferation of violent acts 
perpetrated against the government and other related establishments place soldiers’ lives 
in jeopardy. 
Admittedly or not, these individuals are at high risk, now more than ever. In fact, 
in the Southern part of the country, a number of recent incidents involving alleged 
abduction and worse, slaughter of soldiers, while performing duties, has been recorded 
both in official reports and major newspapers. 
While the government currently undertakes effort to protect the lives of its 
employees, the proposed measure aims to provide assistance to immediate families of 
soldiers, who were killed while performing their solemn task of protecting the people and 
defending our country. 
Through this bill, these immediate families shall not be displaced in the event of 
any untoward incident that may happen to their loved ones working in government. 
Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
e 
LUISA “LOP P. JERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
604 J ~ N  3 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
THIRD REGULAR SESSION 
S E N A T E  
~ 
~~ 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF A SOLDIER 
KILLED WHILE PERFORMING DUTIES AND POR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the “Victims’ Family 
Assistance Act of 2004.” 
SECTION 2. Victim Family Assistance. - The immediate family of a soldier 
killed while performing duties shall receive the following amounts and forms of 
FUNERAL ASSISTANCE- A payment of up to P150,OOO.OO to the 
surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin, as determined in 
accordance with appropriate laws, to assist with any hneral expenses of 
the victim. 
DEATH BENEFIT- A payment of P150,OOO.OO to the surviving spouse, 
dependent child, or other next of kin, as determined in accordance with 
appropriate laws. 
LIVING ASSISTANCE- Beginning one year after the date of death of the 
victim, a payment of-- 


(A) 
P2,OOO.OO per month to the surviving spouse, until the earlier of 
the spouse's death or remarriage; and 
(B) 
P500.00 per month to each dependent child, until reaching the age 
of 18 years. 
(4) 
DEPENDENT UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE- 
(A) 
IN GENERAL,- For each dependent child enrolled or accepted for 
enrollment in a part-time or hll-time program of undergraduate 
instruction at any state college and university, an annual amount 
not to exceed the lesser of P5,OOO.OO or half the total annual cost 
of attendance at such institution. 
(B) 
DURATION OF ASSISTANCE- A dependent child may receive 
assistance under this paragraph for not more than a total of 5 years. 
(C) 
GOOD STANDING REQUIRED- The dependent child must 
maintain good standing at the institution in order to receive 
assistance under this paragraph. 
(D) 
EFFECT OF PARENTAL DEATH OR REMARRIAGE- The 
death or remarriage of the surviving spouse does not affect a 
dependent child's eligibility for assistance under this paragraph. 
SECTION 3. Assistance supplements, not supplants other benefits - No assistance 
provided under this Act may supplant any benefit or other compensation paid or payable 


to the surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin of the victim by the victim's 
employer, school, school district, or local or State government, or by any insurance 
coverage of the victim. 
SECTION 4. Funding requirements - An initial amount necessary to implement 
the provisions of this Act shall be drawn fiom the budget of the Office of the President. 
Thereafter, beginning the implementation of the next annual budget, the same shall be 
incorporated in the annual appropriations allocated for the Government Service Insurance 
System and Commission on Higher Education to implement the provisions of Section 2, 
pars. 1, 2, 3, and Section 2, par. 4 respectively. 
SECTION 5. Separability clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6 Repealing clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity clause.. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,