Duterte grants survivorship benefits to family members of deceased gov't prosecutors

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law granting survivorship benefits to the legitimate spouse and dependent children of deceased retired members of the National Prosecution Service (NPS). 

Under Republic Act 11643, which was signed by the President last January 11 but only released on January 13, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of the deceased government prosecutor will be entitled to all the retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to receive, provided that the deceased state prosecutor is eligible to retire optionally at the time of death. 

Members of the NPS will include all prosecutors in the Office of the Secretary of Justice, the Regional Prosecution Offices, and the offices of the Provincial and City Prosecutors.

The law, on the other hand, defines dependent as a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child who is chiefly dependent on the said deceased member of the NPS. He or she should be aged 21 and below, is unmarried and not gainfully employed, or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support because of any mental or physical defect or condition.

The surviving legitimate spouse, meanwhile, will continue to receive said retirement benefits during his or her lifetime until such spouse remarries, provided that the surviving spouse and dependent children will equally share the retirement benefits. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News