(FILE) President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure granting survivorship benefits to the surviving kin of deceased retired prosecutors of the National Prosecution Service (NPS).
Under the Republic Act No. 11643, the legitimate spouse and dependent children of the deceased retired prosecutor are eligible to avail of the survivorship benefits.
Members of the NPS include all prosecutors in the Office of the Secretary of Justice, the Regional Offices, and the offices of the Provincial and City Prosecutors.
The new law describes a “dependent” as a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child “who is chiefly dependent” on the deceased NPS member and not more than 21 years old, unmarried, and not employed.
A dependent could also avail of the benefits regardless of age as long as he or she is incapable of self-support because of any mental or physical defect or condition.
Meanwhile, the new law provides that surviving legitimate spouses shall continue to receive retirement benefits during their lifetime until they remarry.
The funds to be used for the benefits are to be sourced and included in the annual national budget, the law read.
Covered by the new law are surviving spouses and dependent children of an NPS member who died one year prior to the effectiveness of the law.
The new law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.