NextGen Day

MANILA – Only the best officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can assume the highest military postings now that Republic Act 11709 has become law, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday.

“The main goal of this rule is to give general officers enough time to accomplish their responsibilities, i.e. three years time-in-grade. They are retired if they are not promoted to the next higher grade. This ensures that only the most capable officers progress up the leadership ladder. This also puts a stop to the AFP’s revolving door leadership system, which was created by a 1979 retirement statute “In a statement, he stated.

The law was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on April 13 and is titled “An Act Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by Prescribing Fixed Terms For Key Officers Thereof, Increasing the Mandatory Retirement Age of Generals/Flag Officers, Providing for a More Effective Attrition System, And Promoting Funds Therefrom.”

“We would want to express our gratitude to members of Congress, particularly Senators Dick Gordon, Ping Lacson, and Boboy Tupaz, for championing and promoting this legislation throughout the legislative process,” Lorenzana stated.

The AFP chief-of-staff, vice chief-of-staff, deputy chief-of-staff, chiefs of the major services (Army, Navy, and Air Force), unified command commanders, and inspector general will serve for three years “unless sooner terminated by the President,” according to the new law.

In times of war or other national emergencies proclaimed by Congress, the President may prolong the tour of duty of the AFP chief-of-staff.

The statute also gives the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy a four-year tenure, “unless sooner removed by higher authority.”

Meanwhile, the law requires military personnel in the ranks of second lieutenant/ensign (O-1) to colonel/captain to retire at the age of 56 or 30 years of acceptable active duty, whichever comes first (O-6).

The retirement age will be 59 or the maximum tenure-in-grade, whichever comes first, for individuals in the grades of brigadier general/commodore (O-7) to lieutenant general/vice-admiral (O-9).

Optional retirement is available to officers and enlisted troops after 20 years of satisfactory active duty.

The law also states that officers and enlisted personnel will be retired one rank higher than their previous rank, with retirement benefits based on the permanent grade last held, though this will not apply to those still on active duty prior to the law’s implementation; and that the retirees will join the Reserve Force.

The number of general officers is likewise limited to 0.01 percent of the AFP’s total strength, reducing the number of general officers from 196 to 153, which we believe is the appropriate number of generals to manage the AFP efficiently and properly.

“Finally, we appreciate President Duterte for signing RA (Republic Act) 11709 into law, which codifies his vision and plans for a better and professional AFP that he implemented during his term — higher pay, more troops, more brand new equipment, and improved health care,” Lorenzana added.

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