EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 198, April 21, 2003

CREATING THE MILITARY SERVICE BOARD, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, R.A. 8440, "An act providing for the Confirmation of WWII Military Services" by a Military Service Board (MSB), which qualifies applicant for veteran status, ceased to exist on January 26, 2001 after three (3) years of existence;

WHEREAS, the MSB claimants have continually followed-up the status of their claims and incessantly filed complaints to legislators and other high-ranking government officials for the MSB inaction/slow processing on their applications;

WHEREAS, it will be in keeping with justice and equity for the rightful claimants, for government to continue with the processing of the claims for confirmation of their WWII Military Services;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987 as well as P.D. 1416 as amended by P.D. 1772, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the government.

NOW, THEREFORE I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation of the Board. — A new Military Service Board is hereby created to be supervised by Philippine Veterans' Affairs Office (PVAO) and under the general supervision of the Secretary, Department of National Defense, to process the existing claim-applications on file and pending for Confirmation of military services in the Philippines during the period beginning December 8, 1941 and ending July 3, 1946 and to determine the validity and qualifying the applicants for the military veteran status.

Section 2. Composition of the Board. — The Board shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) members to be nominated by the Administrator, PVAO to the Secretary of National Defense, who shall appoint them as chairman and members of the board.

Section 3. Period of Existence of the Board. — The Board shall cease to exist one (1) year after the date of the effectivity of this order.

Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Administrator, PVAO shall issue rules and regulations subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense to ensure the effective implementation of this Order within thirty (30) days after approval of this order.

Section 5. Funding. — Funding for the operations of the Board shall be provided by PVAO and the DND from their existing budget. If necessary, this shall be augmented by the President's Contingency Fund.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. — All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 21 Apr. 2003

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary