Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7309 is the law creating the Board of Claims under the 
Department of Justice (DOJ) granting compensation for victims of unjust 
imprisonment or detention and victims of violent crimes. 
One of the more disturbing problems in the area of justice and human rights is 
the implementation of the constitutional provision against the deprivation of life, 
liberty and property without due process of law. Persons have been accused and 
imprisoned for crimes they did not commit, only to be subsequently acquitted. 
Government and society have become notably indifferent to victims of crimes and 
criminals. A judicial way of filing a claim for compensation may be too long. 
Congress opted for an administrative procedure of filing the claims by creating 
the Board of Claims. 
Who may apply for compensation? 
1. A person who was unjustly accused convicted and
imprisoned and subsequently released by virtue of
a judgment of acquittal;
A person who was unjustly detained and released without 
being charged; 
2. A person who is a victim of arbitrary detention by
the authorities as defined in the Revised Penal Code
under a final judgment of the court; or
3. A person who is a victim of a violent crime which
includes rape and offenses committed with malice
which resulted in death or serious physical and/or
psychological injuries, permanent incapacity or
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disability, insanity, abortion, serious trauma, or 
committed with torture, cruelty or barbarity. 
The claim should be filed with the Board by the person entitled to compensation 
under this Act within six (6) months after being released from imprisonment or 
detention or from the date he suffered damage or injury; otherwise he is deemed 
to have waived his claim. 
A claimant may file a claim with the board by filling up an application form 
provided for the purpose with the Secretariat of the Board of Claims, Department 
of Justice, Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila. Thereafter, he will be interviewed 
and he will be duly notified of the action taken by the Board. 
1. For the victims of unjust imprisonment, the compensation shall be
based on the number of months of imprisonment and every fraction
thereof shall be considered one month, but in no case shall such
compensation exceed ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) per
month.
2. In all other cases the maximum for which the Board may approved
a claim shall not exceed TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) or the
amount necessary to reimburse the claimant the expenses incurred
for hospitalization, medical treatment, loss of wage, loss of support
or other expenses directly related to the injury, whichever is lower
to be determined by the Board.
R. A. No. 7309 was published on 13 April 1992 in the Philippine Star and 
Philippine Daily Inquirer, hence, the effectivity day of R.A. No. 7309 is 14 April 
1992. 
The provisions of the Act shall be applied prospectively. All incidents or bases for 
filing an application under Sec. 3 of R.A. 7309 must have happened on or after 
14 April 1992 and within the period provided for in No. 4, to be covered by the 
law. 
Section 8 provides that: "Any aggrieved claimant may appeal, within fifteen (15) 
days from receipt of the resolution of the Board, to the Secretary of Justice whose 
decision shall be final and executory." 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Board of Claims 
(BOC), to improve the lives of the victims of violent crimes and those who have 
been unjustly accused and imprisoned. 


 Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE BOARD OF 
CLAIMS (BOC), INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS 
ADMINISTRATION, TO ALLEVIATE THE LIVES OF THE VICTIMS 
OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY 
ACCUSED AND IMPRISONED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to exercise administrative control and operational supervision 
over and for the victims of unjust imprisonment or detention and victims of 
violent crimes, to improve the lives of the victims of violent crimes and those who 
have been unjustly accused and imprisoned.  
The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality Management 
System towards equitable development for improved quality of life for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
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SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the Board of Claims (BOC) shall be chargeable against funds 
for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Board of Claims 
(BOC) shall be included in the budget proposals under the Department of 
Justice (DOJ). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the 
existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act and relevant compensation and position classification 
laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
A BOARD OF CLAIMS (BOC) MODERNIZATION 
FUND – There is hereby created the Board of Claims (BOC) Modernization Fund 
to be used exclusively for the (BOC) Modernization Program. 
The Board of Claims (BOC) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the 
Secretary of the DOJ in accordance with existing government budgeting, 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOJ shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the Board of 
Claims (BOC) Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of 
the President and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Justice of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives. 


SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Board of Claims (BOC) shall continue to 
develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep 
pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS 
AND 
FUNCTIONS. – 
The 
Board 
of 
Claims (BOC) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers and 
functions; but not limited to: 
a) to receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications 
for claims under this Act; 
b) to conduct an independent administrative hearing and 
resolve applications for claims, grant or deny the same; 
c) to deputize appropriate government agencies in order to 
effectively implement its functions; and 
d) to promulgate rules and regulations in order to carry out 
the objectives of this Act. 
 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The Board of Claims 
(BOC) shall maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to 
increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to increase 
personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates annually or as 
the need arises. 


SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,