Law Summary
SECTION 1: Amendments to Republic Act No. 65
Legal Principle/Provision
This section amends Sections Six and Ten of Republic Act No. 65, which pertains to the establishment of the Philippine Veterans Board and the provisions concerning pensions for certain beneficiaries.
Key Definitions Introduced
- Philippine Veterans Board: A new entity created within the Department of National Defense responsible for executing the Act's objectives.
- Deserving Guerrilla Organizations: Groups recognized for their contributions during wartime.
- Political Prisoners: Individuals imprisoned and killed by the Japanese Armed Forces during the war.
Important Requirements or Procedures Outlined
- The Board is tasked with:
- Compiling a permanent list of specific categories of individuals including:
- Officers and enlisted men of the Philippine Army from the start of the war.
- Members of recognized guerrilla organizations.
- Political prisoners and their dependents.
- Parents of deceased soldiers.
- Veterans of past Philippine revolutions.
- Evaluating the merits and qualifications of applicants for rights or privileges under the Act, following its adopted rules.
- Compiling a permanent list of specific categories of individuals including:
Relevant Timeframes, Deadlines, or Expiration Details
- Individuals presumed to have died in the line of duty will be recognized if they have not been heard from by their nearest kin within one year after September 2, 1945.
- Individuals buried in military cemeteries are presumed to be members of the Philippine Army or deserving guerrilla organizations.
Penalties, Liabilities, or Consequences Mentioned
- No specific penalties were outlined in this section.
• Philippine Veterans Board established within the Department of National Defense. • Board to compile a permanent list of eligible individuals and dependents. • Presumption of death for certain individuals after one year of unaccountability, starting from September 2, 1945. • Individuals buried in military cemeteries presumed to be veterans.
SECTION 2: Provisions for Pensions
Legal Principle/Provision
This section outlines the eligibility criteria and amounts for pensions provided to the widows, minor children, or indigent parents of certain deceased individuals.
Key Definitions Introduced
- Indigent Parents: Parents who are financially challenged and eligible for support under this provision.
Important Requirements or Procedures Outlined
- Eligible beneficiaries include:
- Widows and minor children of individuals who died during the war or subsequently from duty-related causes.
- Parents of political prisoners who died in custody or due to wartime actions.
Relevant Timeframes, Deadlines, or Expiration Details
- Pensions are provided until the widow remarries or dies, and until the minor child marries, dies, or reaches the age of eighteen.
Penalties, Liabilities, or Consequences Mentioned
- Beneficiaries receiving a similar pension from other government funds are not entitled to this pension.
• Monthly pension of fifty pesos for widows and ten pesos for each minor child under eighteen. • Pensions cease upon widow's remarriage or death and child’s marriage, death, or turning eighteen. • Exclusion of beneficiaries receiving similar pensions from other government sources.
Key Takeaways
- Establishment of the Philippine Veterans Board: Responsible for administering veteran-related benefits and compiling a list of eligible individuals.
- Pension Provisions: Financial support for specific dependents of deceased military personnel and political prisoners, with defined amounts and conditions for eligibility.
- Presumption of Death: Clear criteria for recognizing the status of deceased individuals based on timeframes related to their last known contact.
- Exclusions: Beneficiaries receiving other government pensions are not eligible for the pensions outlined in this Act.