EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLI C OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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v\>' F'/j .
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(J)fntrno( ti)f 
n .il’j’
SENATE
S.B.No. 
1 9 1
19 
JUL-2 P2:06
RECEryED iTr r
INTROBUCEI) BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN GRADES l i  AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVy^TE 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS TEE “CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR ARMED 
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT,” AS AMENDED BY 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL SERVICE 
TRAINING PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
.Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The prime duty of the 
Government is to serve and protect the people. 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 
it pursues to promote their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. The 
State is decreed to inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their 
involvement in public and civic affairs. 
°
Pursuant to these policies, this bill seeks to provide for the restoration of mandatory 
military training for all students enrolled in Grade 11 and Grade 12 by reinstating Sections 38 
and 39 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Force or 
Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.” It is designed to motivate, train, organize and 
mobilize our youth for national defense preparedness.
To equip our youth with necessary knowledge and skills in securing and defending 
the country in times of national emergency, this bill seeks to institutionalize, develop, train, 
organize, and administrate basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in Grades ! 1 and 
12 in public and private educational institutions, further amending Republic Act No. 7077 or 
the Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act,” as amended by 
Repubhc Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program,” and 
appropriate funds for the purpose.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
EMMA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPE^ES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B.Ho. 191
of tlif 
' I’tn rji
'19 
JUL-2 P2«6
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL,^)
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN GRADES 11 AND 17 IN PUBLIC AND 
PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 7077, O i HERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CITIZEN ARIvEED FORCE 
OR ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”, /  S 
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Senior High School Reserve 
Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Act”.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy.—\i is the policy of the State to serve and protect the 
people. The government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in fulfillment 
thereof, all citizens may be 
required, under conditions provided by law, to render 
personal, military or civil service. The State recognizes the role of the youth in nation­
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual 
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, 
and encouiage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to produce the 
needed manpower and to expand its human resources in times of war, calamities and 
disasters, national or local emergencies, and in support to the Government’s law 
enforcement strategy against crimes by creating a pool of trained reservists.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act:


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a. Reserve Force -  refers to the organization of trained reservists 
under the command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who may 
be railed for duty in the event of war, invasion or rebellion; to assist 
in rr.lief and rescue during disaster or ealamities; to assist in 
socioeconomic development; and to assist iu tire operation and 
maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the 
furtherance of overall mission;
b. Basic 
Reserve 
Officers’ 
Training 
Corps (ROTC) 
-  
refers 
to 
a mandatory two (2) year basic leadership and military training 
program for students enrolled in Grades 11 and Grades 12 in all senior 
high schools in public and private educational institutions;
c. Advance ROTC -  refers to the optional and enhanced ROTC course that 
is offered in universities, colleges, vocational schools and other 
tertiary institutions;
d. Clustered ROTC Unit — refers 
to 
two 
or more educational 
institutions tliat are strategically grouped together for the puipose of 
holding ROTC classes in one location;
e. Grievance Committee -  refers to an independent body that is 
tasked to investigate any complaint or allegation of abuse, violence or 
corruption in any clustered ROTC unit or any educational institution 
implementing the ROTC Program;
f. National Grievance Committee -  refers to the appellate body that has 
jurisdiction 
to 
hear 
appeals 
on 
the 
findings and 
recommendations of any local grievance committee;
g. Public Educational Institutions -  refer to educational institutions that 
are established and administered by the government;
h. Private Educational Institutions -  refer to educational institutions 
maintained and administered by private individuals or groups;
i. Registration -  the act of recording the name and/or other relevant 
information of the 
students 
who 
have 
completed the 
ROTC 
Program in Grades 11 
and 12 on the official list of ROTC 
graduates. Provided, that the registration that is referred to under this 
Act shall not be construed as enlistment in the AFP Reserve or Regular 
Force.


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Section 4. Scope. -  The conduct of basic military and leadership training under the 
ROTC shall apply to all students in Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public 
and private educational institutions.
Section 5. Establishment of the ROTC Program in all Public and Private Educational 
Institutions. -
a. There is hereby established a mandatoiy two (2) yeai- Basic RO'J'C program 
for students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 which shall form pail of the basic 
curricula for the Senior High School Education in any public and private 
educational institutions in pursuance to the provisions of the National 
Defense Act, Revised Administrative Code of 1987, and the 1987 Constitution, 
with the objective of producing well-trained and prepared reservists for 
military and civic service. 
The ROTC training is aimed to instill 
patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual virtues, respect for human 
rights and adherence to the Constitution.
b. The 
Basic 
ROTC, 
instituted 
as 
part 
of 
the 
curricula 
shall 
be 
administered in accordance with the following modules:
B.l. Enhancing the students consciousness in the ethics of service, 
patriotism and nationalism, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of 
national heroes in the historical development of the country, strengthen ethical 
and spiritual values, develop personal discipline and leadership and to encourage 
creative thinking for scientific and teclinological development;
B.2. Basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize, 
and utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations: Provided, that 
no student below the age of eighteen (18) years shall take a direct part in hostilities;
B.3. Civic training for students in order to be active partieipants and 
volunteers 
for 
the 
development 
and 
improvement 
of health, education, 
ecology and environmental protection, human and civil rights awareness and law 
enforcement.
B.4. Preparedness during actual disaster response operations on needs 
assessment, improved skills for search, rescue and relief operations, and 
early recovery activities. Integration of capacity-building activities revolving 
around risk-related situations in order for students to be proactive in lessening 
the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate 
change. These capacity building activities will help build understanding and skills 
with the end in view of applying disaster risk reduction and management 
principles, concepts, and concrete action steps towards building their resilience;


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c. Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC in accordance 
with this Act shall not be qualified for graduation. 
In addition tliereto, tlie 
non-talcing of ROTC by any student shall be a ground for Compulsory 
Military Training in pursuance to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7077. Any 
educational institution that fails to institute and implement the Basic 
ROTC 
program 
in 
pursuance 
to 
this 
Act 
shall 
be 
subject 
to disciplinary 
and administrative sanctions as the Department of Education (DepEd) 
may 
impose.
d. Guided by the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof, the DND and the 
DepEd, in consultation with other relevant government agencies and private 
stakeholders as the Secretary of National Defense may determine, shall 
design and formulate the Program of Instruction (POI) on the Basic ROTC 
program in Grades 11 and 12.
Section 6. Schools as Zones of Peace. -  Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11188 entitled “Special 
Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict”, ever)' educational 
institution 
implementing the ROTC under this Act shall comply with the declaration and guidelines 
that are provided for under the said law to maintain the neutrality of the schools as 
zones of peace.
Section 7. Students Exempted from this Act. -  The following may be exempted from the 
coverage of this Act:
a. Those who are physically or psychologically unfit, as certified by Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Surgeon General or his authorized medical 
officer, in pursuance to the recommendation of the educational institutions 
where the concerned student is enrolled;
b. Those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training;
c. Those who were chosen by their school to serve as varsity players in sports 
competitions;
d. Those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by 
the DND, upon recommendation by any educational institution
Section 8. Advance ROTC. -  The basic ROTC established in Section 4, paragraph 1 of 
RA 9163, also known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 
2001”, as a component of the NSTP which forms part of the curricula for students of 
any baccalaureate degree course shall be modified or reclassified as the Advance ROTC 
pursuant to Section 39 of RA 7077, or the “Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces 
of the Philippines Reservist Act.”


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The Advance ROTC in the tertiary level shall continue as an optional and 
voluntary component of the NSTP. Students who volunteer for the Advance ROTC 
program in universities, colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary institutions 
shall remain to be governed by RA9163 insofar as they are consistent with this Act.
The provisions of Section 42 and 43 of Republic Act No. 7077 in terms of training, 
unifomis and supplies, and the scholarship incentive shall remain effective and applicable for 
those accepted in the Advance ROTC course. It shall be mandatory for all public and private 
universities, colleges, and similar learning institutions to offer and provide a training school 
for the Advance ROTC program which shall have a duration in accordance with the curriculum 
prescribed by the DND and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The Department of National Defense, in coordination \vith the CHED, shall 
prescribe the curriculum for Advance ROTC and the program of instruction in 
pursuance to the applicable provisions of Republic Act No.7077.
Section 9. Organization, Operation and Maintenance of ROTC Units. -  Tlie organization, 
operation and maintenance for the establishment of the Basic ROTC shall be in 
accordance with Sections 41 and 42 of Republic Act No. 7077 which shall remain effective 
and operative unless inconsistent with this Act. 
The Secretary of National Defense, in 
consultation witli the DepEd, shall prescribe the organization and operational manual of 
ROTC units in public 
and 
private 
educational 
institutions 
for 
Grades 
11 
and 
12: Provided, that such educational institutions shall be required to provide an adequate 
office for the ROTC administrative staff assigned thereat.
The 
AFP 
shall 
create 
an 
office 
dedicated 
to 
the supervision 
and
administration of the ROTC program within the Reserve Commands of the AFP in 
coordination with the DepEd.
Section 10. Registration in the Resen>e Force. -  Pursuant to Sec. 14 of Republic Act No. 
7077, a student who has completed the Basic ROTC program in senior high school 
shall be registered in the Reserve Force only upon reaching the age of eighteen (18).
Section 11. Guidelines to safeguard students of the Basic ROTC Program -  In order for the 
proper and effective implementation of the Basic ROTC Program, the following policies 
shall be adopted to prevent the occurrence of hazing, corruption and other forms of 
abuses:
a. The Basic ROTC Program prohibits hazing as defined under R.A. 8049, as 
amended by 
R.A. 
11053, and as such, adopts the penalties for any act committed 
under the provisions of the said law;


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b. Cognizant of the provisions under R.A. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children
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Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, any physical, sexual or
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psychological abuse, emotional maltreatment, or any act by deed which tends to
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degrade or demean the dignity of a child/student is prohibited;
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c. Consistent with DepEd Order No. 40, Series of 2012 on Child Protection
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Policy, the Basic ROTC Program proscribes physical, humiliating or degrading
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punishments or penalties by a teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any
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other child who has been given or has assumed authority or responsibility
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for punishment or discipline for an alleged or actual offense for the purpose of
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discipline, training or control except for mild to moderate physical exercises
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such as push-ups, sit-ups and 
running witliin the medically
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recommended limit for the concerned age group;
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d. In case of the School Officials or employees of public or government educational
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institutions, who shall accept any gift from any student, 
or 
from 
any
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parenEguardian 
of 
the 
student, 
or 
who 
shall 
commit other 
practices
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contemplated 
under R.A. 
3019 
on “Graft and Corrupt Practices Acf’ and
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the Revised Penal Code on Bribery 
and Coiruption the 
maximum penalty shall
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be imposed;
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e. The penalties provided under the Revised 
Penal Code 
for the Crimes of
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Bribery and Coiruption shall be imposed upon school officials or employees
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of private educational institutions who shall accept directly or indirectly, any
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gift, in cash or in kind, from any student, or from any parenEguardian of the
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student in relation to or pertinent with the conduct of the Basic ROTC training
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program.
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Section 12. Establishment of Grievance Committees.-
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a. A 
Grievance 
Committee 
shall 
be 
formed 
from 
a 
cluster 
of
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educational institutions that shall receive complaints and/or motu propio
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conduct investigations on any complaint or allegation of abuse, 
violence
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or corruption in any educational institution implementing the Basic ROTC
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Program;
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b. Every Grievance Committee shall be composed of three members to be chosen by
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die Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Education: one (1) District
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Commandant from the DND, one (1) District Schools Supervisor from the DepEd,
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and one (1) Legal Officer from the DepEd;
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c. The DepEd and the DND shall formulate the manner by which the educational
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institutions implementing the Basic 
ROTC shall be clustered for the efficient
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resolution of grievances;
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d. The Grievance Committee 
shall function as an independent investigative
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body, which shall formulate the recommendation to the proper disciplinary
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authority that has jurisdiction over the respondent, depending on whether


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he/she belongs to the military for which purpose, the Articles of War shall
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be employed. Whereas, for school officials and/or employees of public
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and private educational institutions, tire provisions of R.A. 6713 or the Code
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of Conduct of Public Officers and Employees and other relevant laws on the
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matter shall be applied. This is without prejudice to administrative cases that
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may be filed pursuant to the Civil Service rules for public officers and employees
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involved in tlie complaint.
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e. Nothing herein shall prevent einy person from filing directly with the regular
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courts any incident of violation of Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act
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o f2018.
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Section 13. Powers and Duties of the Grievance Committee. -  In view of 
the 
laws
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providing protection for children, every Grievance Committee shall be pro-active in its
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duty to:
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1. Encourage the reporting of any incident of hazing, violence, abuse and corruption in
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every clustered ROTC unit;
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2. Motu propio or upon a complaint filed by any person, investigate, any act of
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hazing, violence, abuse and corruption in the clustered ROTC unit;
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3. Issue preventive suspension orders against officers of the ROTC or any school
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employee involved 
in the 
training within three (3) days: (a) upon receipt
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of the complaint, 
or (b) after initiation of the motu proprio investigation,
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to preclude him from exerting undue influence over 
the 
complainant 
and
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impede the normal 
course of the investigation;
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4. Recommend the appropriate action for any offense committed in the clustered
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ROTC unit to the proper disciplinary authority which has jurisdiction over the
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respondent within fifteen (15) days (a) upon receipt of the complaint, or
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(b) after initiation 
of the motu proprio investigation;
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5. Monitor all complaints filed with the Committee and maintain an updated
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record of the status of each case;
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6. Provide the parties of the complaint its findings and reconmiendations within
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thirty (30) days upon receipt thereof;
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7. Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out its objectives, functions
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and disciplinary procedures;
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8. Performs such other functions as may be provided by law.
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Section 14. 
National 
Grievance 
Committee. 
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There 
is 
hereby established 
a
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National Grievance Committee (NGC) composed of the Secretary of National Defense
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or his permanent authorized representative, the Secretary of Education or his permanent
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authorized 
representative, 
and the Secretary of Justice or his permanent authorized
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representative.


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The 
NGC 
shall 
receive 
appeals 
on 
petitions 
for 
review 
from 
the
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findings/recominendation of any of the Grievance Committees. It shall provide the parties
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of its decision within fifteen (15) days, counted from the time of receipt of the petition.
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Any resolution of the NGC shall be fmal.
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Section 15. Incentives for Undergoing the ROTC Program. -
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a. Subject 
to 
other 
lequirements 
that 
may 
be 
prescribed 
by 
rules 
and
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regulations, graduates 
of 
the 
Advance 
ROTC shall be eligible 
for
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commissionship/lateral entry and enlistment in the AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP),
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Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management 
(BJMP), and Bureau of
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Fire Protection (BFP) unless a waiver is issued by the Department Secretaries of the
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aforementioned militaiy and civilian armed forces;
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b. Students undergoing the Basic ROTC and those accepted in the ROTC 
Advance
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Course shall be provided with free hospitalization in any government hospital
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in case of Mandatory insurance for students undergoing ROTC shall be provided
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by the school where the students are enrolled;
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c. Students undergoing the Advance ROTC shall be given access and privileges with any
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AFP Commissary. Tlie Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall issue the
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necessary regulations for the implementation of this privilege.
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Section 16. Classification of ROTC Students. ■ Grades 11 and 12 students who
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are enrolled in tlie ROTC program shall be recognized as civilians in law.
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Section 17. 
ROTC 
Instructors’ 
Capacity 
Development 
and Enhancement
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Program. -  There is 
hereby created and established a training program for ROTC
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instructors, to ensure that they meet the highest physical and moral standards to teach
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and carry out the ROTC program. The Instructors’ Program shall be developed and
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administered under the guidance and tutelage of the DND and the DepEd. A comprehensive
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training manual shall be developed for the conduct of these 
trainings, 
incorporating
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among other things, gender-appropriate and child-sensitive awareness, familiarity with
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relevant laws on the ROTC, Special Protection of Children, other domestic laws
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and 
international obligations necessary and appropriate to guaranty the integrity
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and the highest standard of moral scruple for the implementers’ of the ROTC
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Program.
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Section 
18. 
Budget 
Appropriation. 
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The funding 
requirement necessary to
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implement the establishment, maintenance and operations of the Basic ROTC Program
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shall be included in 
the budget of the implementing agencies/departments, which
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is the DND and the DepEd, in the annual General Appropriations Act in the year following
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its enactment.


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Section 19. Implementing Rules. -  Tlie DND and DepEd shall have the joint responsibility
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for the adoption of the implementing rules of this Act within sixty (60) days from the
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approval of this Act.
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Section 
20. Transitory Provisions. -  In order to manage the initial implementation
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of the ROTC Program in senior high school, the DND, and the DepEd shall within
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six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, design, institute and implement a Pilot
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Program.
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The DND and the DepEd shall jointly submit an annual review and evaluation report to
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Congress on the implementation of the Pilot Program. Upon review and approval by
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Congress, the framework utilized under the Pilot ROTC shall become the standard for the
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full national impleni'^ntation of the Basic ROTC Program.
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Section. 21. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. -  A Joint Congressional
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Oversight Committee is hereby created to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation
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of this Act.
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The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate
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and from the House of Representatives, including the Chairman of the Committee
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on Education, Arts and Culture of both Houses. The membership of the Committee of
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every House shall have at least two (2) opposition or minority members.
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Section. 22. Mandatory Evaluation and Review -  The DND and the DepED 
shall
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jointly conduct an annual review and submit a report to Congress on the status
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of the implementation of the Basic ROTC Program one year after its full implementation.
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Section. 23. Penal Provisions. -  Offenses committed by persons involved in or in relation
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to the implementation of this Act shall be subject to penalties in accordance
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with the applicable laws, rules and regulations. Grades 11 and 12 students undergoing
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the Basic ROTC Program must not be subjected to military law.
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Section. 24. 
Offenses 
Punishable 
Under Existing Laws. 
-  For acts already
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penalized under existing laws such as corruption, graft, hazing, sexual harassment,
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and other abuses committed by persons authorized to administer the Basic ROTC
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and deployment of the Corps, the maximum penalty imposable under existing laws
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shall be imposed.
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Section 25. 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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Section. 26. Amendatory Clause. -  Section 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 and Section
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4 of Republic Act 9163, are hereby deemed amended and modified accordingly.


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Section. 
27. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, executive orders, presidential
2 
decrees, rules and regulations ineonsislent with any provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Section. 28. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,
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