NextGen Day

MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed a new law limiting the tenure of the chief of staff and other senior military officials in important positions in the Philippines’ Armed Forces to three years.

The AFP chief of staff, vice chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, major service commanders (Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy), unified command commanders, and inspector general all have a fixed three-year tour of duty, “unless sooner terminated by the President,” according to Republic Act 11709.

The President can extend the tour of service “in times of war or other national emergency designated by Congress,” according to the law.

The new law also gives the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) a four-year tenure “unless sooner dismissed by higher authority.”

Except for the position of chief of staff, the PMA superintendent will be ineligible for any other AFP job and will be forced to retire after the stipulated tour of service or when relieved from office.

A general or flag officer over the age of 58 will not be selected as PMA superintendent.

For persons in the ranks of second lieutenant/ensign (0-1) to colonel/captain, the law specifies the age limit at 56 or 30 years of acceptable active duty, whichever comes first (0-6).

Those in the grades of brigadier general/commodore (0-7) to lieutenant general/vice-admiral are also set to 59 or the maximum tenure-in-grade as stipulated in this act, whichever comes first (0-9).

A former or resigned military officer cannot be appointed as Secretary of National Defense within one year of his or her retirement or resignation, according to RA 11709.

The bill is expected to boost professionalization in the AFP by strengthening the merit system, giving new leadership more time to execute reforms, and institutionalizing strong policies that will benefit the organization.

It also intends to promote the most qualified officers to higher ranks, eliminate revolving door accommodation promotions, and revise and strengthen the regulations on retirement and commissioning in order to successfully develop a new culture of excellence in leadership and responsibility in the AFP.

Stability through law

Duterte’s ratification of the necessary three-year fixed terms for important military officers was also hailed by the AFP.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala said, “The AFP is sure that the newly-signed law will restore stability to the military organization as we continue to fulfill our responsibility as protectors of the people and the state.”

He also expressed gratitude to the administration, as well as the Senate and House of Representatives, for securing the continuation of the AFP’s programs and operations.

“This will make the AFP more efficient and effective, and it will help us achieve our objective of a more credible Armed Forces that is a source of national pride,” Zagala added.

‘A game-changer,’ says the author.

The new law, according to Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, will improve leadership stability and give a focused effort in modernizing the armed forces.

“I thank President (Rodrigo) Duterte for finally closing the revolving door that has long put the Philippine Armed Forces on a perpetual short-term reset and made it prone to politicization owing to constant jostling for appointments, especially at the upper ranks,” Biazon said in a statement.

The measure has been waiting for more than two decades, according to Biazon, but it could have been voted into law in the 16th Congress if President Benigno Aquino III had not rejected it.

“I am grateful that it has finally become a Republic Act after being filed and refiled since my first term in 2001. This law, in my opinion, is a game-changer for the AFP “he remarked.

On December 6, 2021, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 10521, and the Senate adopted it as an amendment to Senate Bill No. 2376 on January 17, 2022.

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