SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) Nano Oitice of the Secretary
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session ) "ig wap 13. AlO 22
SENATE
s.8.No._1741 RECEIVED E &

Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay

ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Marine Corps ("PMC") was organized on November 7, 1950
under the orders of former President Elpidio Quirino and former Secretary of
National Defense Ramon Magsaysay through the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(“AFP”) General Orders nr. 319 s. 1950. The PMC was first organized to respond
to the security threat of the emerging Hukbalahap insurgency in Central Luzon
up to Marawi, Mindanao.

Despite experiencing institutional challenges, including but not limited to
fiscal and organizational restrictions, due the absence of its own Charter, the
PMC has lived up to its mandate in providing amphibious and rapid deployment
units and seamless transition of military power between sea and land domains.

Over the years, the men and women of the PMC have gallantly served and
responded to the call of duty. In the 1960s, the PMC spearheaded the strategic
maneuvers against the Hukbalahap. In the 1980s, they upheld stability of the
country during the EDSA People Power. In the 2000s, the PMC were the one of
the main forces in the fall of Camp Abu Bakr as well as combating terrorist in
Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. In the 2010s, the valiant men and women of the



PMC also provided assistance to many Filipino people affected by natural
disasters.

The numerous engagements of the PMC in protecting and fighting for our
country with honor and pride have given their lives for the motherland since the
1950s. In respect of their service, it is adjuratory that the establishment ofa
Charter that would institutionalize the PMC to alleviate them of institutional
challenges.

The archipelagic geography of the Philippines calls for the need for an
expanded, rapidly deployable amphibious maneuver force mandated to conduct
seaborne, sustained on-shore, multinational cooperation and engagement for the
Protection of the country and its people along with response to the country’s
need in times of natural disaster.

This bill seeks to establish the PMC as an autonomous and distinct branch
of service that is complementary to the Army, Air Force, and Navy under the
AFP. This bill also seeks to institutionalize the PMC as an amphibious armed
uniform service and a maneuver force in readiness of the AFP that among others
include seaborne, land, combat, and support services,

In view foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDESAANCY S. BINAY
Senator



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) NeeshOtice of tye Secectary

OF THE PHILIPPINES

Second Regular Session ) ‘8 mig 13. AO 22
SENATE

S.B.NO._ 1741 ecely0 fe

Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 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 Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Marine
Corps Act’.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with Section 3, Article II of
the Constitution that mandates the supremacy of civilian authority over the
military, and Section 4, Article XVI of the same that provides “the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (“AFP”) shall be composed of a citizen armed force that shall
undergo military training and serve, as may be provided by law”, it is hereby
declared the policy of the State to maintain, organize, and enhance the AFP for
the continuing development of national defense to maintain peace and order.

Sec. 3. Establishment. - The Philippine Marine Corps, (“PMC”), is hereby
established as an armed uniformed service, amphibious in character; distinct,
autonomous, but complementary to the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, as an
independent branch of service of the AFP.



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The PMC shall include ground combat, combat support, combat service support,
aviation component, and such other units as may be necessary for the pursuit of

its mandate.

Sec. 4.
and functions:

(a

(o

)

(c)

(G)

(e)

g

Powers and Functions. - The PMC shall have the following powers

To conduct combined arms operations in the littoral battle space
and beyond under the AFP;

To coordinate with the other branches of service in developing
various phases of amphibious operations, which pertain to the
tactics, techniques, and procedures with the necessary equipment
employed by landing forces and that of a joint maneuver force;
To organize, train, equip, maintain, develop, deploy, and
supervise the PMC Reserve Force (“PMCRF”) for the purpose of
assisting the PMC in carrying out its functions;

To formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies,
Procedures, strategies, tactics, and techniques for operations
peculiar to the Marines;

To develop its capabilities for seaborne maneuvers; sustain
maneuver ashore; and multinational cooperation and engagement
that is amphibious in character, multi-role in nature, a seaborne
arms force with on-shore defense capability Possessing combined
arms with supporting air components ensuring its capability and
effectiveness as a major combatant in the protection of the
islands of the Philippine Archipelago;

To establish bases and facilities for the realization of its
Operational potential;

To utilize Information Technology, and technological innovations
to advance the pursuit of its mandate;

2



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(h) To deploy such forces necessary for strategic defense under the
Joint Defense Force and for employment of operational
commands;

(i) To deploy forces for disaster response, relief, and rehabilitation
efforts of the AFP;

(i) To deploy forces in support to the law enforcement agencies in
the performance of their duties and responsibilities in
implementing the laws of the land;

(k) To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the
attainment of the objectives of this Act; and

(I) To determine its requirements which shall be addressed by a
fiscal allocation and modernization efforts of the Department of
National Defense ("DND”).

Sec. 5. Philippine Marine Corps Bases and Facilities, ~ To carry out the
Powers and functions of the PMC and the enhancement of its Capabilities, three
(3) PMC Headquarters, shall be established - one (1) in Luzon, one (1) in
Visayas, and (1) in Mindanao. The PMC Headquarters in Mindanao shall serve as
the National Headquarters of the PMC. All of the PMC Headquarters shall be in
strategic locations where it can sustain its deployed forces given both spectrums
of war condition. A Marine Division may be established to effectively respond to
the needs of the operational commands based on its distinct characteristics and
operating concept, as may deem necessary.

Sec. 6. PMC Commandant. - The Commandant shall head the PMC, and
shall carry the rank of Lieutenant General. The Commandant shall be directly
appointed by the President from among its Marine Corps General, upon the
recommendation of the AFP Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary of the DND.



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Sec. 7. Creation of the Marine Reserve Component. - The PMC shall
maintain, supervise, develop and train the PMC Reservists as a reserve force
under the direct control and supervision of the PMC Commandant and shall assist
the PMC in the conduct of efforts on force development as a whole.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commandant of the
PMC shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act, as
well as the provisions of acts, decrees, and orders, related to the implementation
of the PMC functions, to be approved by the President and the Commander-in-
Chief, with the conformity of the Secretary of DND, and recommendation by the
Chief-of-Staff of the AFP.

Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The PMC Commandant shall immediately prepare
the necessary guidelines to cover the establishment of the PMC as a service
branch of the AFP, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the
Current year’s appropriations of the PMC and, thereafter, in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.

Sec. 10. Transitory Provisions. - The incumbent two-star Officer, Major
General, shall be the Acting PMC Commandant, Pending the appointment by the
President. Likewise, the existing organizational structure of the PMC shall be
followed until new rules and regulations have been Promulgated, and approved
by the President.

Further, this Act shall not diminish, reduce, or remove the existing benefits and
privileges of PMC personnel under existing laws, rules and regulations.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional or invalid; such parts not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.



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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuance’s or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,