TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL 15 All :26
S. No
SENATE
617
RLCci'.cOe-:
n
1/
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS' 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In its Declaration of Principles and State Policies, the 1987 Constitution 
mandated the Government to serve and protect the people. Corollary to this, the 
Government may call upon the people to defend the State and. In the fulfillment 
thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render 
personal, military, or civil service.
The Constitution likewise recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation­
building and seeks to protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social 
well-being. The State has the duty to inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, 
and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. In fact, no less than Vice 
President Sara Duterte said, "What we need right now is a new generation [of youths], 
who are disciplined and have love for the country, Filipino youths who will help the 
government in forging and fortifying peace and progress in our country."
By virtue of these policies. Republic Act No. 7077 otherwise known as the 
"Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservists Act" mandated military training for 
students enrolled in colleges, universities and similar institutions of learning and 
decreed the establishment of Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) units for the


purpose of producing enlisted and officer reservists. Unfortunately, the subsequent 
passing of the Republic Act No. 9163 otherwise known as the "National Service 
Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001" made ROTC optional and voluntary. As a result, 
enrollment of students in said ROTC program steadily declined.
This bill seeks to reinstate the ROTC program as a mandatory requirement in 
the curriculum of all undergraduate degree or diploma programs in public and private 
tertiary-level education institutions in the country. The restoration of the ROTC 
program will arm our youth with the competence and readiness required in serving 
our country to ensure the security of the State and our people.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
ROBZNHDOD PADILLA
/ Senator ,


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tf'f. i.'i’ O'. I •'
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL 15 All :26
SENATE
S. No. 617
rgceiv:dsv
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS' 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps (ROTC) Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to serve and protect 
the people and to inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism and respect for human 
rights; and to encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
Thus, the government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the 
fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to 
render personal military or civil service; shall recognize the vital role of the youth in 
nation-building; and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual and social well-being.
Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to produce 
the needed workforce in times of war, calamities and disasters, and in support of the 
law enforcement strategy of the government against crimes and maintenance of peace 
and order by creating a pool of trained reservists.


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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
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be defined as follows:
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a. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reservist refers to a graduate of
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the Basic ROTC Program or Advance ROTC Program as established under
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this Act and as defined under Republic Act No. 7077 otherwise known
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as the "Citizen Armed Forces or Armed Forces of the 
Philippines
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Reservist Act";
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b. Higher Education Institution (HEI) refers to a lawfully established
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learning Institution offering Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-
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recognized or permitted higher education programs including the
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University of the Philippines System and other universities and colleges
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with institutional autonomy; and
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c. Technical-Vocational Institution (TVI) refers to a Technical Education
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and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-recognized or accredited
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learning institution that offers technical-vocational training.
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Sec. 4. Mandatory Basic ROTC in Higher Education Institutions and Technicai-
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Vocational Institutions. -
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a. The mandatory Basic ROTC Program in HEIs and TVIs for all students
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enrolled in not less than two (2)-year undergraduate degree, diploma,
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or certificate programs in HEIs and TVIs is hereby institutionalized;
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b. The mandatory Basic ROTC shall be undertaken by all undergraduate
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students for four (4) semesters: Provided, That, subject to the
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capabilities of the school and the AFP, in lieu of the four (4) semesters,
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a training-immersion program in the AFP training base may be designed,
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formulated and adopted by the Department of National Defense (DND),
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CHED, and TESDA, to complete the requirement of this Act;
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c. Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC in
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accordance with this Act shall not be qualified for graduation;
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d. Any educational institution that fails to institute and implement the Basic
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ROTC pursuant to this Act shall be subject to disciplinary and
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administrative sanctions as the CHED or the TESDA may impose.


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Sec. 5. Basic ROTC Program Curriculum. - The DND, CHED and TESDA, in
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consultation with other relevant government agencies and private stakeholders
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including associations of schools, shall design and formulate the Program of
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Instruction (POI) on the Basic ROTC and be guided with the following purposes and
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objectives:
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a. To provide basic military and police training for students in order to
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motivate, train, organize, and utilize for national defense preparedness
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or civil military operations, and law enforcement;
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b. To enhance the students' consciousness in the ethics of service,
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patriotism and nationalism, respect for human rights, appreciation of the
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role of national heroes in the historical development of the country,
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strengthen ethical and spiritual values, and develop personal discipline
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and leadership;
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c. To reinforce in students the values of civic mindedness, volunteerism
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and genuine service to others in order to be active participants and
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volunteers for the development and improvement of 
ecology and
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environmental protection, human and civil rights awareness and law
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enforcement; and
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d. To provide the students with practical and applicable knowledge and
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skills that are necessary, essential and ideal for survival, and providing
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service in times of emergencies and disasters including disaster response
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operations, skills for search, rescue and relief operations, and early
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recovery activities.
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Sec. 6. Specialized Programs for Students under Special Circumstances. -There
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shall be no exemptions from the Basic ROTC Program. However, the DND, CHED and
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TESDA, shall prescribe a specialized program to address the special needs and
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circumstances of students under the following circumstances:
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a. Those who are classified and officially registered as persons with
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disabilities;
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b. Those whose religious beliefs prohibit the use of firearms in rendering
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service to the country; and


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c. Those who have been convicted by final judgment of crimes involving
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moral turpitude.
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The specialized program shall include modules as the Basic ROTC Program
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except for physical military training: Provided, That foreign citizens enrolled in
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baccalaureate degree courses or technical vocational courses where the Basic ROTC
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is required shall likewise undergo a specialized program that would deepen their
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understanding and appreciation of the Philippines, its people, society, culture and
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government, and harness their potential as bridges to improve their respective
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countries with the Philippines: Provided, Further, That foreign students who will
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complete the course shall not be included in the AFP Reserve Force.
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Sec. 7. Benefits for Undergoing Basic ROTC Program. - ROTC cadets are
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entitled to the following benefits:
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a. Subject to existing laws and rules on the use and design of military
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uniform and insignias and provisions of this Act, students undergoing
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Basic ROTC Program shali be provided with free one (1) set of uniform
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including combat boots; and
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b. Free hospitalization including medicines and necessary medical tests and
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treatments in any government hospital in case of accident or injury
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during the training.
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Sec. 8. Advance Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program. - The
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voluntary Advance ROTC is hereby re-institutionalized. The DND, in coordination with
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the CFIED and, where appropriate, the TESDA, shall prescribe the POI for Advance
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ROTC.
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Students who will undergo the Advance ROTC Program must complete the
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Basic ROTC Program prior to admission into the Advance ROTC Program: Provided,
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That acceptance for Advance ROTC shall be subject to the requirements of Section 40
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of R.A. No. 7077.
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Students may undergo the Advance ROTC Program for no more than two (2)
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academic years.
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Sec. 9. Incentives for Undergoing the Advance ROTC Program. - Advance ROTC
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cadets are entitled to the following incentives:


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a. For students not covered by the provisions of R.A. No. 10931, otherwise
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known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act", full
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tuition subsidy of their annual tuition for the period of their advance
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ROTC;
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b. Free hospitalization including medicines and necessary medical tests and
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treatments in any government hospital in case of accident or injury
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during their training;
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c. Subject to other requirements prescribed by rules and regulations of the
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DND and other concerned government agencies, graduates of the
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Advance ROTC shall be eligible, upon completion of the Advance ROTC
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and earning a baccalaureate degree, for commission as officers in the
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Reserve Force of the AFP;
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d. Priority in recruitment in uniformed services agencies; and
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e. Automatic grant of first level civil service eligibility for Advance ROTC
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graduates.
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Sec. 10. Composition of the Reserve Force. - All students who completed the
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Basic ROTC Program shall be enlisted as members of the Reserve Force with ranks
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and assignments pursuant to Section 45 of R.A. No. 7077, as amended. However,
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those who completed the Advance ROTC Program shall be conferred with ranks and
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assignments pursuant to Section 46 of R.A. No. 7077, as amended.
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Sec. 11. Organization, Operation and Maintenance of ROTC Units. - There shall
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be at least one ROTC unit in every HEI and TVI: Provided, That HEIs and TVIs may
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be clustered for the efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act taking into
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consideration the ideal number of students per ROTC unit. For this purpose, the DND,
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CHED and TESDA, shall jointly formulate the manner by which the educational
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institutions shall be clustered in implementing the Basic ROTC and the Advance ROTC
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Program.
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The DND, CHED and TESDA shall prescribe the organization and operational
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manual of ROTC units in HEIs. They shall also designate an office solely dedicated to
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the supervision and administration of Basic and Advance ROTC programs.
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Sec. 12. Schooi-Based Ready Reserve Units (SBRRUs). - School-Based Ready
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Reserve Units may be organized by the DND, through the AFP, in HEI campuses and


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TVIs offering baccalaureate degree programs. The DND, through the AFP, shall
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promulgate the rules and regulations for the establishment, management and
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operation of SBRRUs. HEIs shall provide office space, access to facilities and personnel
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to assist the DND and AFP in managing SBRRUs.
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Sec. 13. Training Instructors' Capacity Development and Enhancement
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Program. - There is hereby established a training program for training instructors, to
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ensure that they meet the highest physical and moral standards to teach and carry
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out the Basic ROTC Program. The Instructors' Program shall be jointly developed and
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administered by the DND in coordination with the CHED, TESDA, and in consultation
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with stakeholders concerned. A comprehensive training manual shall be developed for
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the conduct of these trainings, incorporating among other things, gender-appropriate
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awareness, familiarity with relevant domestic laws and international obligations
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necessary and appropriate to guarantee the integrity and the highest standard of
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morality for the implementers of the Basic ROTC Program.
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Personnel implementing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under
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R.A. No. 9163 otherwise known as the "National Service Training Program Act of 2001"
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shall have priority for employment as personnel to assist in the management of the
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Basic and Advance ROTC Programs in HEIs and TVIs. They may also be granted
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authority, subject to rules to be issued by the DND, CHED and TESDA, to be ROTC
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Program lecturers, instructors and implementers.
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Sec. 14. Guidelines to Safeguard Students of the Basic and Advance ROTC
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Programs. - In order to properly and effectively implement the Basic and Advance
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ROTC Programs, the following policies shall be adopted to prevent the occurrence of
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hazing, corruption and other forms of abuses:
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a. The Basic and Advance ROTC Programs prohibit hazing as defined under
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R.A. No. 8049, otherwise known as "An Act Regulating Hazing and Other
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Forms of Initiation Rites in Fraternities, Sororities, And Other
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Organizations and Providing Penalties Therefor" as amended by R.A. No.
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11053, otherwise known as the "Anti-Hazing Act of 2018'' and as such,
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adopt the penalties for any act committed under the provisions of the
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said law;


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b. In case of school officials or employees of public or government
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educational institutions, who shall accept any gift from any student, or
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from any parent or guardian of the student, or who shall commit other
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practices contemplated under R.A. No. 3019, otherwise known as the
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"Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" and the Revised Penal Code on
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Bribery and Corruption, the maximum penalty shall be imposed:
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Provided, That the same penalty shall be imposed upon any private
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individual who shall conspire with public school officials and employees
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in violating the above-cited laws; and
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c. The penalties provided under the Revised Penal Code on Bribery and
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Corruption shall be imposed upon school officials or employees of HEIs
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and TVIs who shall accept directly or indirectly, any gift, in cash or in
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kind, from any student, or from any parent or guardian of the student
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in relation to or pertinent with the conduct of the Basic and Advance
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ROTC Programs.
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Sec. 15. Establishment of ROTC Grievance Board - There is hereby established
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an ROTC Grievance Board in every ROTC unit that shall receive complaints or motu
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proprio conduct investigations on any complaint or allegation of abuse, violence or
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corruption in any educational institution implementing this Act which shall be
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composed of five (5) members:
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a. School President or his/her representative where the ROTC unit is
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located, as Chairperson of the Board;
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b. A representative from the CHED Regional Office to be designated by the
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CHED Chairperson;
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c. A representative from the TESDA Regional Office to be designated by
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the TESDA Director General;
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d. Commandant from the AFP to be designated by the Secretary of the
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National Defense; and
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e. A representative from the provincial or city local government unit where
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the ROTC unit is located.
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The Grievance Board shall function as an independent investigative body, which
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shall formulate the recommendation to the proper disciplinary authority that has


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jurisdiction over the respondent, depending on whether the said respondent belongs
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to the military for which purpose, the Articles of War shall be employed. In case of
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school officials or employees of HEIs and TVIs, the provisions of R.A. No. 6713,
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otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials
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and Employees" and other relevant laws on the matter shall be applied. This is without
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prejudice to administrative cases that may be filed pursuant to the Civil Service rules
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for public officers and employees Involved in the complaint.
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Sec. 16. Powers and Duties of the Grievance Board. - Every Grievance Board
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shall be proactive in its duty to:
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a. establish a system and prescribe a process that promotes and
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encourages the reporting of any incident of hazing, violence, abuse and
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corruption in every ROTC unit;
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b. motu proprioor upon a complaint filed by any person, investigate, any
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act of hazing, violence, abuse and corruption in the ROTC unit;
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c. issue an order to preclude those involved in the incident complained of
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or being investigated from exerting undue influence over the
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complainant and impede the normal course of the investigation;
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d. recommend the appropriate action for any offense committed in the
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ROTC unit to the proper disciplinary authority which has jurisdiction over
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the respondent within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of the complaint or
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after initiation of the motu proprio investigation;
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e. monitor all complaints filed with the Board or with the concerned HEIs
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and TVIs and maintain an updated record of the status of each case;
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f. provide the parties of the complaint its findings and recommendations
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within thirty (30) days upon receipt thereof;
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g. promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out its objectives,
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functions and disciplinary procedures; and perform such other functions
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as may be provided by law.
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Sec. 17. Nationai Grievance and Monitoring Committee. - There is hereby
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established a National Grievance and Monitoring Committee (NGMC) composed of the
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Secretary of National Defense or his or her permanent authorized representative who
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will act as the Chairperson, the Chairperson of CHED or any permanent authorized


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representative, the Director General of TESDA or any permanent authorized
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representative, the Secretary of Justice or any permanent authorized representative,
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and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government or any permanent authorized
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representative.
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The NGMC shall ensure that the provisions and intent of this Act are properly
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implemented and adhered to, and that there shall be no abuse of any kind in both the
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conduct of training.
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In addition, the NGMC shall review the findings or recommendations of any of
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the Grievance Boards upon filing of the aggrieved party within fifteen (15) days after
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receipt of such findings or recommendations. It shall provide the parties with its
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decision within fifteen (15) days from the time of receipt of the petition.
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Sec. 18. Free Uniform Voucher. - In order to effectively implement the provision
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on free uniform and combat boots for students enrolled in Basic ROTC Program, the
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CHED and TESDA, in consultation with HEIs and TVIs, shall provide for a mechanism
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to implement a voucher system that will entitle students to purchase through
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accredited supplier one set of uniform and combat boots.
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The Department of Trade and Industry, in coordination with the DND and
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CHED, shall promulgate rules and regulations on the accreditation of uniform and
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combat boots suppliers.
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Sec. 19. School Fees. - Covered HEIs and TVIs may collect a reasonable
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training fee of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic unit
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or subject. Such funds shall be used only for the implementation of the Basic ROTC
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Program. The CHED, TESDA and DND shall determine the reasonable distribution of
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the fees among the HEI, TVI and DND to cover the cost of training and related
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expenses. Public HEIs and TVIs covered by R.A. No. 10931, otherwise known as the
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"Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act", shall not collect any fee for the
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Basic ROTC. The training costs shall be included in the annual appropriations of such
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HEIs or TVIs. In cases of students not eligible to avail of the benefits under R.A.
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No. 10931, public colleges, universities and similar learning institutions may collect a
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training fee of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic unit.
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HEIs and TVIs not covered by R.A. No. 10931 may collect a training fee of not more
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than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic unit. Such funds shall be used


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only for the implementation of the Basic ROTC Program and maintenance of the ROTC 
Units and SBRRUs, if any.
Sec. 20. Pilot Implementation of the Mandatory Basic ROTC Program. - Upon 
approval of this act, the DND, in coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall undertake 
a two (2) year pilot program in select public HEIs with existing ROTC units as well as 
private HEIs who may want to participate in the said pilot implementation of the 
mandatory program. The DND, in coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall ensure 
that there shall be ROTC units in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao included in the pilot 
implementation.
Sec. 21. Mandatory Review of the Implementation of this Act. - The DND, in 
coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall conduct a review of the implementation of 
this Act at the end of the two (2) year pilot program and every two (2) years 
thereafter. The DND shall submit a report to Congress on the result of the mandatory 
review.
Sec. 22. Pena! Provisions. - Any act of abuse, corruption, hazing, torture, data 
privacy rights violation, or violation of human rights committed in direct or indirect 
relation to the implementation of this Act which are punished criminally or 
administratively by existing laws, rules or regulations, shall be prosecuted in 
accordance with such laws, rules or regulations. The maximum penalty imposable 
under existing laws shall be imposed.
Sec. 23. Prosecution Not a Bar to Civil Action. - Criminal or administrative 
prosecution shall not be a bar to any civil action for damages or any appropriate relief 
a victim may file for any act of abuse, corruption, hazing, torture, data privacy rights 
violation, or violation of human rights committed in direct or indirect relation to the 
implementation of this Act.
Sec. 24. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of the 
DND, CHED and TESDA. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act: Provided, 
That, funding for the uniform shall be included in the appropriations of CHED and 
TESDA.
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Sec. 25. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a
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Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to oversee, monitor, and evaluate
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the Implementation of this Act. The JCOC shall be composed of five (5) members each
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from the Senate and the House of Representatives with the Chairpersons of the
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Committees on Higher Educations of both houses as Co-Chairpersons. The
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Chairpersons of the Committees on National Defense and Security shall likewise be
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designated as members of the JCOC. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of
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the House of Representatives shall designate the other three (3) members of the
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JCOC, one (1) of which shall be from the minority, from the Senate and the House,
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respectively.
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Sec. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the DND, CHED, and TESDA, in consultation with
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relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations implementing
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its provisions. The IRR Issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days
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after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Sec. 27. Enrollment under R.A. No. 9163. - Students who are currently enrolled
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and will be enrolled until the full implementation of this Act, based on the curriculum
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implemented by virtue of R.A. No. 9163, otherwise known as the NSTP Act of 2001,
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shall be allowed to finish the curriculum and be deemed to have satisfied the
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requirement for graduation after completion thereof.
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Sec. 28. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 29. Repealing Clause. - R.A. No. 9163, otherwise known as the NSTP Act
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of 2001, is hereby repealed. Provisions of R.A. No. 7077, otherwise known as the
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Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, which are inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act are hereby amended accordingly. All other laws, orders, rules
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regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
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relevant provisions of this Act are likewise hereby repealed, amended or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 30. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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