· ., 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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(~Ih;r of tll.,:;;rrrtt'r~ 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
SEP 10 All :02 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 159 4 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY 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 q.yrr~ntly 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. 
"1; .. ,' 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


, ' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
SEP 10 All :02 
, 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 159 4 
({l';(' !'~l Y EO H Y: --r--
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF A SOLDIER 
KILLED WHILE PERFORMING DUTIES AND FOR 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 2013". 
SEC 2. Victim Famlly'Assistance. - The immediate family of a soldier 
killed while performing duties shall receive the following amounts and forms of 
assistance: 
(1) 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 funeral expenses of the 
victim. 
(2) 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. 
(3) 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 full-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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 4. Funding Requirements - An initial amount necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act shall be drawn from 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. 
" . ,. ,. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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 accordil1gly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
"". 
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