AN ACT TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO VETERANS IN APPOINTMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 1363

Preference for Veterans in Government Appointments
- The government policy is to give preference to veterans in appointments to positions in the government, semi-governmental corporations, and government-controlled corporations, when other considerations are approximately equal. (Section 1)
- Appointing officers must give preference to veterans when extending appointments. (Section 2)
- Appointing officers who knowingly violate the provisions shall be punished by a fine of one month's pay for the first violation, and dismissal from the service for the second violation. (Section 2)
- The Act does not apply to positions that are confidential in nature, policy-determining, or highly technical. (Section 3)

Definition of "Veteran"
- The term "veteran" refers to: (Section 4)
    1. Veterans of the Philippine Revolution, as certified by the Board of Pensions for Revolutionary Veterans.
    2. Veterans of World War II, as certified by the Philippine Veterans Board.
    3. Honorably discharged soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have served for at least five years.

Qualifications for Preference
- To obtain preference under the Act, a veteran must have approximately the same qualifications as other applicants. (Section 5)
- A veteran shall not have priority over civil service eligibles unless the veteran has the same or higher civil service eligibility. (Section 5)

Implementation
- The President of the Philippines shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of the Act within thirty days of its effectivity. (Section 6)

Amendment to Republic Act No. 65
- Section 11 of Republic Act No. 65 is amended to allow the NARRA (National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration) to reserve agricultural lands for the exclusive settlement of veterans and other specified persons who desire to own their own farms and apply within twenty-five years from the approval of the Act. (Section 7)

Effectivity
- The Act shall take effect upon its approval. (Section 8)