FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
20 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
The positions of Chief of Staff of the Anned Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as well as those of 
the Major Services Commanders of the AFP, namely: (a) Commanding General of the Philippine 
Anny; (b) Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN); and (c) Commanding General 
of the Philippine Air Force (P AF) are very critical and sensitive positions, involving as they do 
the leadership of the anned 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 nonnally serve for only very 
short periods of time, usually for just one (I) 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 wann-up 
their chairs but not long enough to able to develop, put into place and implement meaningful 
medium and long tenn plans and programs for their commands. Moreover, the appointees to the 
subject positions are prone to being "politicized" 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 tenn 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 ofthis Bill is, therefore, respectfully sought. 
1\+--1K 11--
ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Hi 
JUl -1 119 :31 
SENATE 
S.No. 
20 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING FIXED TERMS FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND MAJOR SERVICE 
COMMANDERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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give due recognition to the significance of the positions of the Chief of Staff and the Major 
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Service Commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). 
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SEC. 2. Terms of Office. - The Chief of Staff and the Major Services Commanders, 
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particularly: (a) the Commanding General of the Philippine Army; (b) the Flag Officer In 
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Command of the Philippine Navy; and (c) the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force 
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(P AF) shall each have a fixed term of office of three (3) years. The terms shall commence on the 
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date of appointment by the President. 
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When compulsory retirement age is reached before the end of term for any of the above-
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said positions, the appointee shall be allowed to complete his term but shall be deemed 
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compulsorily retired upon completion of the same. 
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SEC. 3. No Term Extension, Reappointment, or Promotion - No extension of term or 
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reappointment shall be allowed, except for the position of Chief of Staff of the AFP, whose 
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appointment may be extended in cases of war or national emergencies as declared by Congress. 
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Likewise, an officer who has been appointed and who has already served as one of the 
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Major Service Commanders for over one (I) year may no longer be appointed as Chief of Staff 
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of the AFP. 
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SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of National Defense shall formulate 
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the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shaH take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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