of R.A. 4864 is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 21. Death and Disability Benefits.
Section 21
Section 21 of R.A. 4864 is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 21. Death and Disability Benefits.—Notwithstanding any provision of existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary, when a member of a local police force or agency, or that of the National Police Commission is injured while in the performance of duty or contracts sickness or disease arising out of the performance of duty, absence during any period of such disability thereby occasioned, shall be on full pay, and he shall be entitled to payment of medicines, medical attendance, hospital fees, necessary transportation and subsistence. Absence in the cases enumerated above shall not be charged against vacation or sick leaves. He shall, in addition, be entitled to a lump sum gratuity of one hundred to two thousand pesos, depending upon the merits of the case. "In addition to premiums due the Government Service Insurance System for members of the local police agency and the employees of the National Police Commission, the proper governmental entity shall pay the premiums due for whatever group insurance policy which may be in force. "If a member of the police force or employee of the National Police Commission is killed or dies from injuries suffered or sickness contracted or aggravated in line of 'duty, the surviving spouse or if there be none, dependents, or the surviving parents or brothers and sisters, shall be entitled in addition to the foregoing benefits to one year's salary which shall in no case be less than six thousand pesos and burial expenses equivalent to three months' salary, which shall in no case be less than one thousand pesos. "If such member of the force or employee of the National Police Commission is permanently disabled as a result of injuries suffered or sickness contracted or aggravated in line of duty, the city or municipal mayor or the Chairman of the National Police Commission, as the case may be, shall cause the compulsory retirement of such member or employee upon certification by the city or municipal health officer, or by any government physician in the case of employees of the Commission, that the extent of the disability or sickness renders such member unfit or unable to further perform the duties of peace officer or employee of the Commission, in which case he shall be entitled to a gratuity equivalent to one year's salary which shall be in no case be less than six thousand pesos in addition to the foregoing benefits, and to a lifetime pension equivalent to eighty percent of his highest salary. "In the event the disabled party believes that he is not totally disabled, he may appeal to the National Police Commission whose decision shall be final. "All disbursements herein contemplated shall be authorized by the Commission upon recommendation of the Hearing Officer of the province or city concerned; provided, that disbursements for employees of the National Police Commission shall be authorized by the Commission. "All compensation herein granted shall not be subject to attachment, levy, execution or any tax whatsoever, nor affect benefits received or to be received from the Government Service Insurance System. Claims under this Act shall not prescribe." Paragraph 3 of Presidential Decree No. 12 dated 3 October 1972 is hereby amended to read as follows: "3. In lieu of the Board of Investigators provided for under Republic Act No. 4864 (Police Act of 1966), the Chairman of the National Police Commission shall appoint at least one-Hearing Officer for each province and city for the purpose of investigating administrative charges and benefits claims involving any member of the city or municipal police agency. The hearing Officer of the National Police Commission shall perform the same duties as the Boards of Investigators in accordance with the Police Act of 1966, Presidential Decrees No. 12, 12-A, 12-B, and implementing Executive Orders, rules and regulations. Said hearing officers shall submit monthly reports on the cases referred to them for investigation indicating the status and/or disposition thereof, to the Chairman of the National Police Commission, who shall see to it that cases filed with and/or referred to the Hearing Officers shall be acted upon and disposed of without undue delay. "There shall also be appointed at least one supervising Hearing Officer for each region throughout the Philippines for the purpose of exercising immediate supervision and coordinating the functions of provincial and city Hearing Officers within the region, provided there shall at least be one supervising Hearing Officer for Greater Manila area. "The Hearing Officers and supervising Hearing Officers of the Commission shall have the power to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum and to administer oaths in connection with the investigation of police administrative cases and claims for benefits. "No person shall be appointed as Hearing Officer unless he has been a member of the Philippine Bar for at least three (3) years: Provided, however, That he shall not during the continuance in office, engage in the practice of his profession. "Upon the appointment of a Hearing Officer in a province or city, the Board of Investigators therein shall be dissolved and all cases pending before it shall be assumed by such hearing officer. "Pending the appointment of the Hearing Officers for each province and city under this Decree, the Board of Investigators created under Section 15 of Republic Act No. 4864 and Presidential Decree No. 12 shall continue to function."