AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY AND OF RECOGNIZED OR DESERVING GUERRILLA ORGANIZATIONS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 65

Provisions for Officers, Enlisted Men, and Veterans:
- Right to resume pre-war government positions after being mustered out, unless disqualified (Section 1)
- Free admission to schools, colleges, universities, or institutes without tuition or fees, up to 20% of enrollment (Section 2)
- Allowed to take promotional examinations to graduate or advance to appropriate grade level (Section 5)

Philippine Veterans Board:
- Created in the Department of National Defense (Section 6)
- Compile list of eligible personnel and veterans (Section 6)
- Evaluate applications for rights and privileges under the Act (Section 6)
- Award medals, diplomas, or insignias for distinguished service (Section 7)
- Composed of a Chairman and four members, appointed by the President (Section 7)

Preferences and Benefits:
- Preference in government appointments and promotions for 3 years (Section 8)
- Preference in purchasing public lands, homesteads, concessions, franchises, and exploiting national resources (Section 8)
- Preference in purchasing enemy and war surplus properties (Section 8)
- Life pension of 50 pesos per month for permanently incapacitated veterans (Section 9)
- Pension of 50 pesos per month for widows, 10 pesos per minor child until age 18 (Section 10)
- Reservation of agricultural lands for settlement by eligible personnel and veterans (Section 11)
- Advance funds for transportation, housing, farm equipment, and supplies (Section 12)
- Government surety for loans up to 2,000 pesos for housing or business (Section 13)
- Free admission to government hospitals and health institutions (Section 14)

Implementation and Funding:
- Applications to be filed with the Veterans Board (Section 15)
- Funds from relief and rehabilitation sources to be set aside for the Act's purposes (Section 16)
- Initial appropriation of 20 million pesos from available funds in the National Treasury (Section 17)
- Release of funds subject to certification by Secretary of Finance and Auditor General (Section 18)
- Penalties for false statements or prohibited acts (Section 19)
- President authorized to suspend provisions if similar GI Bill of Rights is approved by U.S. Congress (Section 20)