Title
Gratuities and pensions for disabled or deceased AFP personnel
Law
Republic Act No. 610
Decision Date
May 4, 1951
The Armed Forces Death Gratuity and Disability Pension Act of 1951 provides benefits to the surviving family members of officers and enlisted men who die or become disabled in the line of duty and active service, including a gratuity of three thousand pesos and disability pensions based on the degree of disability.
armed forces
death gratuity
disability pension
A

Definitions

  • "Officer" includes commissioned officers, probationary second lieutenants, cadets of military academies and aviation/naval cadets
  • "Enlisted man" includes regular enlisted personnel, reservists, and trainees accepted under the National Defense Act
  • "Active service" covers active duty, reserve duty, training periods as cadet or trainee
  • "Child" includes all children entitled to support under civil law
  • "Father" and "mother" include adoptive parents or those standing in loco parentis for at least one year prior to service
  • "Widow" includes the surviving spouse not legally separated from deceased
  • "Reasonable maintenance" comprises sufficient housing, food, clothing, and medical care

Death Gratuity (Section 3 & 4)

  • Upon death resulting directly from service-related wounds, injuries, sickness, or disease, survivors receive a lump sum gratuity of ₱3,000
  • Widow receives half; remaining half divided equally among unemancipated children
  • If no widow or children, gratuity is equally divided between surviving parents
  • Rights determined at time of death; if beneficiary dies before final settlement, share passes to intestate heirs

Disability Pension (Section 5)

  • Pension granted if disability is a direct result of service-related wounds, injuries, sickness, or disease
  • Disability rating determines pension amount, ranging from ₱30 (25% disability) to ₱100 (total disability)
  • Additional increments for specific anatomical losses:
    • ₱30 per month extra for loss/use of one hand/foot or blindness in one eye
    • ₱40 per month extra for loss/use of both hands, both feet, or one hand and one foot

Determination and Administration (Section 6)

  • Eligibility, disability rating, and service connection verified prior to honorable discharge
  • President prescribes implementing rules and regulations
  • Philippine Veterans Board responsible for administering appropriated funds

Presumptions and Conditions (Section 7)

  • Service members in active service ≥90 days presumed in sound condition except noted defects
  • Service-incurred wounds, injuries, or sickness presumed in line of duty unless proven otherwise
  • Pension rights terminated upon government employment; reinstated upon separation
  • Benefits apply retroactively to personnel in active service as of July 1, 1950

Appropriations (Section 8)

  • ₱400,000 appropriated from National Treasury for payment of gratuities and pensions

Relationship with Other Laws and Repeals (Section 9)

  • Benefits under this Act are in addition to any retirement pay
  • Persons who received death/disability benefits under Republic Act No. 573 are not entitled to benefits under this Act
  • Repeals Commonwealth Act No. 400 and section 91-A of the National Defense Act
  • No payments under other laws with similar benefits to AFP and Constabulary officers and enlisted men after this Act

Effectivity (Section 10)

  • The Act takes effect retroactively from January 1, 1951
  • Approved on May 4, 1951

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.

About Privacy Terms