FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
s. BILL NO. 
758 
Introduced by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes l[V 
E
-
 
The positions of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP) as well as those of the Major Services Commanders of the AFP, 
namely: 
(a) Commanding General of the Philippine Army; (b) 
Flag 
Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN); and (c) Commanding 
General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are very critical and sensitive 
positions, involving as they do the leadership of the armed services 
entrusted with the security and defense of the country. 
The problem is that because of the fact that the appointing authority is 
usually limited in his choice to only the most senior officers of the AFP, 
the appointees normally serve for only very short periods of time, 
usually for just one (1) year or even less before going into retirement. 
There is no doubt that this state of things is adversely affecting the 
AFP and the nation, with the Chief of Staff of the AFP and Chiefs OF the 
Major Services only staying long enough to warm-up their chairs but 
not long enough to able to develop, put into place and implement 
meaningful medium and long term plans and programs for their 
commands. 
Moreover, the appointees to the subject positions are 
prone to being "politized" with the positions being dangled before 
potential appointees under such dubious practices like the "revolving 
door policy" which was previously practiced by the current 
administration. 
This bill proposes to provide for a fixed term of three (3) years for the 
Chief of Staff of the AFP as well as his Major Services Commanders. 
The idea is to give them a fixed term or tenure to provide for 
continuity and stability in the leadership of the AFP and shield the AFP 
from the perils of partisan politics. 
The immediate passage of this Bill is, therefore, respectfully sought. 
ANtONIO F. TRILLANES I V  


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
s. BILL NO. 758 
Introduced by Senator Antonio F. Trillhes EW 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING FIXED TERMS FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND 
MAJOR SERVICE COMMANDERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE 
PHILIPPENES AND FOR OTH€R PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Dedaration of Po/ic& - It is hereby declared the 
policy of the State to give due recognition to the significance of the 
positions of the Chief of Staff and the Major Service Commanders of 
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). 
SEC. 2. Terms of Office. - The Chief of Staff and the Major 
Services Commanders, particularly: (a) the Commanding General of 
the Philippine Army; 
(b) 
the Flag Officer I n  Command of the 
Philippine Navy; and (c) the Commanding General of the Philippine Air 
Force (PAF) shall each have a fixed term of office of three (3) years. 
The terms shall commence on the date of appointment by the 
President. 
When compulsory retirement age is reached before the end of 
term for any of the above-said positions, the appointee shall be 
allowed to complete his term but shall be deemed compulsorily retired 
upon completion of the same. 
SEC. 3. 2
- No extension of term or reappointment shall be allowed, except for 
the position of Chief of Staff of the AFP, whose appointment may be 
extended in cases of war or national emergencies as declared by 
Congress. 
Likewise, an officer who has been appointed and who has 
already served as one of the Major Service Commanders for over one 
(1) year may no longer be appointed as Chief of Staff of the AFP. 


SEC. 4. R
-
.
 
- The Department of National 
Defense shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 5. Reoeaha Clause. - Section 4 of R. A No. 8186, with 
respect to the maximum tenure in the position of Major Service 
Commanders, is hereby amended accordingly. 
Any 
other 
issuances, 
laws, 
decrees, 
orders, 
rules 
and 
regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 5. €ffectiwitK. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,