Phillipines

The Philippines has a victim compensation program to provide financial compensation for victims of violent or personal crime and unjust imprisonment or detention.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police. Yes.

Filing period. Within 6 months from when the victim suffered damage or injury or within 6 months after the victim was released from imprisonment or detention.

Foreign citizen eligibility. Citizens of foreign countries are eligible to apply for compensation.

Claimants

Procedures

A claimant can obtain an application from the Board of Claims through the Secretariat of the Board of Claims, Department of Justice, Republic of the Philippines. Victims should submit copies of all medical records from treating hospitals and physicians with the application. The Board of Claims is required to render a decision within 30 days.

Benefits and Award Limits

The maximum award to victims of crime or the dependents of homicide victims is PHP10,000. The maximum award to victims of unjust imprisonment or detention is PHP60,000.

Compensable costs

Emergency awards. The program does not offer emergency compensation awards; however, the Board takes into account the urgent needs of applicants from depressed areas by processing their claim more quickly than the allotted 30-day review.

Funding sources. The program is funded by the government of the Philippines.

Contact Information

Department of Justice, Padra Faura Street, Rm. 125, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000
Telephone: 632 523-8481, local 328 219-281, 632 525-0952 (dl)
Fax: 632 525-0952 or 526-2751
Internet: www.doj.gov.ph

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English, Tagalog

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