NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ______

Introduced by Representatives
Hon. Florida “Rida” P. Robes1, Hon. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez2, Hon. Divina
Grace C. Yu3, Hon. Jose Francisco B. Benitez4, Hon. Richard I. Gomez5, Hon.
Rufus B. Rodriguez6, Hon. Maria Jamina Katherine B. Agarao7, Hon.
Rosana “Ria” V. Vergara8, Hon. Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu9, Hon. Glona G.
Labadlabad10, Hon. Zaldy S. Villa11, Hon. Greg G. Gasataya12, Hon. Marlyn
L. Primicias-Agabas13, Hon. Leody “Odie” F. Tarriela14, Hon. Loreto S.
Amante15, Hon. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica16, Hon. Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes
G. Matibag17, Hon. Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga 18, Hon. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma19,
Hon. Edwin L. Gardiola20, and Hon. Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.21

AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO
FORMER PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1
Lone District of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
2
Second District of Laguna
3
First District, Zamboanga del Sur
4
Third District, Negros Occidental
5
Fourth District, Leyte
6
Second District, Cagayan de Oro City
7
Fourth District, Laguna
8
Third District, Nueva Ecija
9
Second District, Zamboanga del Sur
10
Second District, Zamboanga del Norte
11
Lone District of Siquijor
12
Lone District of Bacolod
13
Sixth District, Pangasinan
14
Lone District of Occidental Mindoro
15
Third District, Laguna
16
Fourth District, Bulacan
17
First District, Laguna
18
Second District, Davao de Oro
19
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya
20
CWS Partylist
21
MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN Partylist
 Former Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Philippines rendered a valuable part of
their lives in the service of the Filipino. They have uniquely contributed to shaping the
present and future of our country. During their terms, they have protected the rights,
prosperity, and patrimony of our people. To a certain extent, they still serve as a
representation of the country.
As former highest-ranking elected officials of the country, former presidents and vice
presidents are expected to contribute wisdom on nation building, as well as insights on
addressing national and international issues which may require their expertise and experience.

Notwithstanding the end of their term, they are also expected to perform obligations
of citizenship and post-presidential duties such as meeting with foreign and local dignitaries
and attending public events and other social engagements. These duties often necessitate
them to engage the services of personal staff and maintain private offices.

As they immerse themselves performing post-presidential duties and social

engagements in relation to their former offices, they expose themselves to security and other
risks, and incur expenses to maintain private offices. Thus, to uphold the dignity, prestige,
and honor of Office of the President and Vice Presidents, and show reverence and gratitude
former presidents and vice presidents of the Republic, this proposed measure seeks to grant
them certain benefits and privileges that will allow them to perform the duties and functions
with ease, confidence, and dispatch. This measure also aims to grant them and their
immediate family security protection to thwart any attempt to harm them even after leaving
public office.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Hon. Florida “Rida” P. Robes Hon. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez

Lone District of the City of San Jose del Second District of Laguna
Monte, Bulacan

Hon. Divina Grace C. Yu Hon. Jose Francisco B. Benitez

First District, Zamboanga del Sur Third District, Negros Occidental

Hon. Richard I. Gomez Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez

Fourth District, Leyte Second District, Cagayan de Oro City
Hon. Maria Jamina Katherine B. Agarao Hon. Rosana “Ria” V. Vergara
Fourth District, Laguna Third District, Nueva Ecija

Hon. Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu Hon. Glona G. Labadlabad

Second District, Zamboanga del Sur Second District, Zamboanga del Sur

Hon. Zaldy S. Villa Hon. Greg G. Gasataya

Lone District of Siquijor Lone District of Bacolod

Hon. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas Hon. Leody “Odie” F. Tarriela

Sixth District, Pangasinan Sixth District, Pangasinan

Hon. Loreto S. Amante Hon. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica

Third District, Laguna Fourth District, Bulacan

Hon. Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag Hon. Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga
First District, Laguna Second District, Davao de Oro

Hon. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma Hon. Edwin L. Gardiola

Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya CWS Partylist

Hon. Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr

MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN Partylist
 NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ______

Introduced by Representatives
Hon. Florida “Rida” P. Robes, 22 Hon. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez23, Hon.
Divina Grace C. Yu24, Hon. Jose Francisco B. Benitez25, Hon. Richard I.
Gomez26, Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez27, Hon. Maria Jamina Katherine B.
Agarao28, Hon. Rosana “Ria” V. Vergara 29, Hon. Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu 30,
Hon. Glona G. Labadlabad31, Hon. Zaldy S. Villa 32, Hon. Greg G. Gasataya33,
Hon. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas34, Hon. Leody “Odie” F. Tarriela35, Hon.
Loreto S. Amante36, Hon. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica 37, Hon. Ma. Rene Ann
Lourdes G. Matibag38, Hon. Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga 39, Hon. Luisa Lloren
Cuaresma40, Hon. Edwin L. Gardiolla 41, and Hon. Anthony Rolando T.
Golez, Jr.42

22
Lone District of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
23
Second District of Laguna
24
First District, Zamboanga del Sur
25
Third District, Negros Occidental
26
Fourth District, Leyte
27
Second District, Cagayan de Oro City
28
Fourth District, Laguna
29
Third District, Nueva Ecija
30
Second District, Zamboanga del Sur
31
Second District, Zamboanga del Norte
32
Lone District of Siquijor
33
Lone District of Bacolod
34
Sixth District, Pangasinan
35
Lone District of Occidental Mindoro
36
Third District, Laguna
37
Fourth District, Bulacan
38
First District, Laguna
39
Second District, Davao de Oro
40
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya
41
CWS Partylist
42
MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN Partylist
 AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO FORMER
PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative in Congress assembled:

 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Former Presidents and Vice
Presidents Benefit Act of 2023.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objective. – It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to maintain the dignity of the Office of the President and Vice President, and to honor
former Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Republic by granting them certain benefits and
privileges that will allow them to perform the duties and functions often required of a former
President.

SEC. 3. Eligibility. – All former Presidents and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to
the benefits and privileges provided under this Act.

SEC. 4. Benefits. – Former Presidents and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to the
following, for the remainder of his/her life:

(a) Personal security and protection detail of at least three (3) personnel to be
provided by the Presidential Security Group, and to be augmented by the
Philippine National Police (PNP) as the need arises. Former Presidents and Vice
Presidents shall have the right to choose the head of his/her own security detail;

(b) Personal security and protection of at least two (2) personnel to be provided by
the Presidential Security Group, and to be augmented by the PNP as the need
arises, for the immediate families of former Presidents or Vice Presidents for so
long as the said President or Vice President is living;

(c) Adequate staff provided by the Office of the President, as the case may be, to
each former President or Vice President. Such personnel shall be selected by the
former President; and

(d) Suitable office space appropriately furnished and equipped, provided by the
Office of the President, as the case may be, at such place within the Philippines
as the former President or Vice President shall specify.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this

Act shall be included by the Department of Budget and Management in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and their
implementing rules, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in one (1) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,