Law Summary
Determination of Legal Heirs and Shares
- The Legal and Investigation Division is responsible for determining the legal heirs of the deceased veteran or widow.
- It also decides the proportionate pension shares of each heir according to the Civil Code of the Philippines.
- Pension entitlement is measured up to and including the date of death of the veteran or widow.
Prescribed Claim Forms and Supporting Documents
- Claims must be filed using the prescribed forms (PVAO Form No. 90-03-A OV for veterans and 90-03-A OW for widows), which are part of the supplemental guidelines.
- Claimants must submit these forms together with supporting documents indicated therein.
- Claims submitted in other forms substantially similar to the prescribed ones are acceptable, provided that all required supporting documents are submitted.
Definition of "Widow" to Include "Widower"
- The term "widow" in these guidelines also includes "widower," conforming to the definition of surviving spouse under Section 2-(j) of Republic Act No. 6948 and Section 2-1 of Department of National Defense Order No. A-049, c.s.
Requirements for Claims by Legal Heirs of Deceased Veterans
- Request must state:
- Name and age of the deceased veteran.
- Circumstances of death regarding the pension claim (whether prior to claim approval or without applying).
- Names of surviving compulsory heirs including spouse and children, or notation if none.
- Enclose supporting documents such as:
- Proof of honorable discharge or retirement of the veteran.
- Birth certificate or proof of age of the veteran.
- Death certificate of the veteran.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificates of all children.
Requirements for Claims by Legal Heirs of Deceased Veterans' Widows
- Request must state:
- Name and age of the deceased widow.
- Circumstances of death regarding the pension claim.
- Declaration that the deceased was an unremarried widow of the veteran.
- Names of surviving children or notation if none.
- Enclose supporting documents such as:
- Proof of honorable discharge or retirement of the veteran.
- Birth certificate or proof of age of the veteran.
- Death certificate of the veteran.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate or proof of age and death certificate of the widow.
- Birth certificates of all children.
Administrative Approval
- Claims are submitted to the Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Department of National Defense.
- The Administrator processes the requests based on submitted forms and verified documents.
This framework ensures proper adjudication and distribution of old-age pension benefits due to estates of deceased veterans and their spouses in compliance with existing laws and administrative orders.