Period of Filing Claims; Waiver.
SEC. 16. Period of Filing Claims; Waiver. - Claims for compensation shall be filed with the Board within one (1) year after it has been duly organized, and in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated to implement this Act: Provided, That failure to file an application within the said period shall be deemed a waiver of the right to file the same: Provided, further, That the Board shall publish in two (2) newspapers of general circulation the period of commencement and termination of applications by property owners.
Appeal.
SEC. 17. Appeal. - Any aggrieved claimant or oppositor may file an appeal within fifteen (15) calendar days from receipt of the decision of the Board; otherwise, the Board's decision shall become final and executory.
Penalties, Applicability of the Revised Penal Code.
SEC. 18. Penalties, Applicability of the Revised Penal Code. - Any claimant who is found by the Board, after due hearing, to have filed a fraudulent claim shall be referred to the appropriate office for prosecution. In addition to any penalty imposed by the competent court, the person who committed or caused the commission of the fraud shall be disqualified from public office and employment, and shall be prohibited from being voted upon in any national or local election, even after the service of the sentence unless granted absolute pardon.
Any member of the Board and its Secretariat, public officer, employee of an agency or any private individual mandated to implement this Act, who shall misuse, embezzle or misappropriate the funds for monetary compensation under this Act or who shall commit fraud in the processing of documents and applications of claimants, or shall conspire with any individual to commit the same, shall also be prosecuted.
