AN ACT GRANTING MONTHLY GRATUITY AND PRIVILEGES TO AN AWARDEE OF THE MEDAL OF VALOR

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9049

Policy and Purpose (Section 1):
- Declares the State's policy to honor military heroes and strengthen patriotic spirit by providing adequate social services and financial rewards to Medal of Valor awardees for their supreme self-sacrifice, heroism, and gallantry.

Monthly Gratuity (Section 2):
- Medal of Valor awardees are entitled to a lifetime monthly gratuity of ₱20,000.
- The gratuity is separate from any salary or pension received from the government.
- In case of the awardee's death, the gratuity will accrue to the surviving spouse until remarriage and to children until age 18 or marriage.
- The gratuity is tax-exempt and not included in gross income computation.
- The President is authorized to adjust the gratuity rate based on economic and social factors, such as inflation, but not within 3 years of the law's effectivity and no more than once every 5 years thereafter.

Privileges (Section 3):
- Precedence in employment in government agencies or government-owned or controlled corporations, provided the awardee or dependent meets job qualifications.
- Priority in approval of housing applications under government housing programs.
- Priority in acquiring public lands under the Public Land Act and preferential right in leasing pasture lands and exploiting natural resources.
- Privilege of obtaining loans up to ₱500,000 from government financial institutions without collateral or pledge.
- 20% discount on transportation services, hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, medicine purchases, and admission fees to theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other similar establishments. Private establishments may claim the cost as tax credits.
- Free medical and dental services in hospitals and clinics anywhere in the country. Private hospitals and clinics may claim the cost as tax credits.

Educational Benefits (Section 4):
- Exemption from tuition and matriculation fees in public or private schools, universities, colleges, and other educational institutions for pre-school, baccalaureate, or post-graduate courses, including courses leading to degrees such as Doctor of Medicine (MD), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Military Benefits (Section 5):
- Medal of Valor awardees and their sons or daughters shall be given a quota or priority for admission as cadets in the Philippine Military Academy, direct commission, call to active duty (CAD), or enlistment in the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), if qualified.

Penalties (Section 6):
- Denying privileges and benefits to awardees, widows/widowers, or dependents is punishable by imprisonment of 3 to 6 years and a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱300,000.
- If the offender is a public officer, they shall also suffer perpetual absolute disqualification from public office and lose retirement or gratuity benefits, with restitution of amounts received after the offense.
- Corporations, associations, partnerships, or other juridical persons are also liable, with penalties imposed on responsible officers or personnel.
- Convicted persons are not entitled to the benefits of the Probation Law.

Funding (Section 7):
- The initial implementation shall be charged against the current savings of the AFP.
- If savings are insufficient, the grant of additional benefits shall be applied uniformly to all awardees/beneficiaries.
- Necessary funds shall be included in the annual budget of the AFP.

Implementation (Section 8):
- The Secretaries of National Defense, Education, Culture and Sports, Health, Transportation and Communications, and Finance, and other appropriate agencies, shall issue necessary rules and regulations.
- Current recipients shall also be granted the additional privileges provided in this Act.