, 
c FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'11 
MAY lOP 2 :45 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2809 
INTRODUCED BY Senator EDGARDO J. AN~~~:f \' >.I) Ii Y:_f-
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The improvement of the regular officer delivery system in the Philippine Air Force 
(PAF) is a long-felt need in the military establishment. 
The P AF Flying School (P AFFS), which is at present, can no longer cope with the 
required number and proper training of officer pilots for the P AF because of inadequate 
facilities and logistical support. Additionally, since a college degree is and academic 
requirement for entrance into the P AFFS, we are somehow assured that students are more 
matured and equipped to face the demands required to be an Air Force officer. 
The creation of the Philippine Air Force Academy (PAFA) is a response to this 
problem in line with the constitutional mandate of guaranteeing equal access of 
opportunity for public service. 
Given the inherent political instability of a developing country such as the 
Philippines, we should see to it that an unwanted relationship among officers often called 
"regular officer homogeneity" is not created. Concerned sectors believe that this officer 
homogeneity" may endanger a potentially explosive political situation where an Armed 
Forces is controlled in all its branches, and at all levels, by regular officer school. Thc 
creation of the P AF Academy will help preclude this situation. 
Existence of strong checks and balances in government is the essence to preserve 
democracy. And this practice of checks and balances should also be developed in the 
National Security Agencies and the Armed Services, since these are agencies are among 
the protectors of the people and the state. 
State therefore must promote the multiple sourcing of regular officers of the AFP 
from Filipino citizens of diverse culture and institutions. Thus, there shall be established 
in the Philippine Air Force an educational institution to be known as the Philippine Air 
Force Academy (PAFA) hereinafter referred to as the Academy, for instruction and 
preparation for military service of the Philippine Air Force Cadets, to be known as 
Aviation Cadets. The instruction is a 15-month program in the Academy based on entry 
of students from different colleges and universities nationwide. Air Force specific subjects 
as designed by the P AF shall be taught in the Academy together with the officer and other 
aviation fields of training. Graduates shall be commissioned as regular officers of the 
AFP. 
There is also a need to professionalize the other Air Force career areas like aircraft 
maintenance, avionics and air logistics to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness 
of the PAF. 
These highly specialized career fields cannot adequately addressed by a 
traditional military academy like the Philippine Military Academy. 
A candidate who has completed a 4-year baccalaureate degree brings with him into 
the Academy the wealth of experience necessary to broaden his perspectives in academics 


as well as his outlook among all cul1ur~s. The youog men and women who are bright and 
come iI'om the minority groups can lIkewise establish their career in the PAF. [,heir 
experiences and academic disciplines in social sciences obtained ii'om the colleges and 
universities will hasten their maturity and will give them wider and betier perspectives on 
what kind of a career they would like to pursue and how to serve country and people. The 
military training and discipline added to their highly technical expertise in aviation and 
related fields obtained and instilled in the Academy, performance of their mission and 
exercise orJeadership will be more balanced and matured. 
The present assets of the PAF Officers Candidate School (OCS) such as barracks, 
dormitories, o11ice buildings, classrooms, technical equipment and other facilities 
necessary for training already exist at the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), 
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City. These assets can be transferred to the Academy. The 
present budget of the PAF is enough to start, sustain and operate the Academy. If 
there will be expenses incurred it will just be on renovation of existing buildmgs and 
construction of additional mandatory facilities, equipment upgrades, salaries and 
accommodation of civilian professors and civilian employees. Majority of the instructors 
will be officers in the PAF. Future expansions and upgrading of the Academy will be 
budgeted by Congress. Also, having a 15-month program in the Academy will bc cheaper 
than a 4-year program. The Academy experiences of the Aviation Cadets plus thc military 
discipline instilled in them will make them good leaders in the AFP and the country as 
well. From these graduates will be graduates and other aviation field officers who will 
man the modernized Philippine Air Force. And even after retirement or separation II'om 
the military service the training and education earned in the Academy will be usable 
throughout life. 
The PAl' Academy as conceptualized is geared towards making available an 
adequate and dedicated corps of professional Air Force officers with proper education, 
training and orientation to lead and manage the complex technologies inherent in the field 
of aviation. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'11 
MAY 10 P2 :45 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2809 
It 1U'1'~lU+ 
INTRODUCED BY Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
._----------------------_._----_.- _._--
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE ACADEMY (PAFA) AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House oj Representatives of the Philippines zn Congress 
assembled: 
1 
Section 1. 
Short Title - There shall be established in the Philippine Air force 
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an educational institution to be known as the Philippine Air Force Academy (PAl' A), 
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hereinafter referred to as the Acadcmy, for the instruction and preparation for mIlitary 
4 
service of Philippine Air force Aviation Cadets. 
This Act shall be known as the 
S 
"Philippille Ail' Force Academy Act oj2011." 
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SEC. 2. 
Admillistratioll. -
The Academy as herein established shall be 
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organized and administered by the Commanding General, Philippine Air Force (PAF), 
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under the general supervision and control of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the 
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Philippines. 
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SEC. 3. 
Academic Board. - The Academic Board of the Academy shall be 
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composed of the Superintendent, the Dean of the Corps of Professors, the Commandant of 
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Cadets and the Heads of the Departments to be constituted as follows: 
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(a) The Superintendent and the Commandant of Cadets and Officers Candidate of 
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the Academy shall be detailed to those positions by the President from the 
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officers of the Philippine Air Force; and 
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(b) The Dean of the Corps of Professors shall be appointed from the permanent 
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professors who have served as heads of departments of instructions at the 
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Academy. 
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SEC. 4. 
Declaration oj State Policy. - It is hereby declared that the State 
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shall promote multiple sourcing of regnlar officers of the AFP from diverse military 
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training institutions of all the Branch of Services of the AFP. This State policy conforms 
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to the policy of developing checks and balances in a democratic country like ours not only 
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in the government bureaucracy but also in the defense and national security agencies. 
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SEC. S. 
Applicability. - The provisions of this Act sha1l apply to the AfP 
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insofar as to the establishment of the Philippine Air Force Academy; admission of cadets 
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and offIcers candidate, who shall be known and called as Aviation Cadets and 
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Probationary Officers, respectively; organization and administration of the Academy, 
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appointment to the regular force as officers in the AFP from those who successfully 
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complete the academic and officer training in the Academy; the composition of the Corps 
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of Aviation Cadets and Officers Candidate; and composition of the AcademIC Board and 
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Faculty members. 
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SEC. 6. 
Department Title and Faculty.- The Chief of Staff of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines may prescribe the titles of each of the departments of instruction 
and professor shall not affect the status, rank or eligibility for promotion or retirement of, 
or otherwise prejudice, a professor of the Academy. 
SEC. 7. 
Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined: 
a. 
Active Commissioned Service - A period of the active service rendered by an 
individual as a commissioned officer. 
b. 
Aviation Cadet - a cadet in the Philippine Air Force Academy who is being 
trained as an officer of the AFP as well as for baccalaureate degree specializing 
in the aviation fields. 
c. 
Officer Candidate - a baccalaureate degree graduate qualified for commission 
under the provisions of law and is undergoing military training prior to the 
same. 
d. 
Commission - a status conferred to an individual by the President of the 
Republic of the Philippines to serve as regular or reserve officer in the AFP. 
e. 
CACPAF - Corps of Aviation Cadets Philippine Air Force, the student body 
comprising the undergraduate military training cadets of the PAFA. 
f. 
COCPAF - Corps of Officers Candidate Philippine Air Force, the student body 
comprising the officers candidate training of the P AF A. 
g. 
First Captaifl - the designation of the highest-ranking Aviation Cadet and 
Officer Candidate who will act as leader of the Corps of Aviation Cadets and 
Corps of Officers Candidate of the Philippine Air Force, respectively. 
h. 
CHED - Commission on Higher Education ofthe Department of Education. 
i. 
PAFA - Philippine Air Force Academy. 
J. 
Regular Officer - a commissioned officer in the regular forces of the AFP 
appointed as such by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. 
k. 
Reserve Officer - a commissioned officer in the Reserve Force of the AFP. 
I. 
Hazing -
For the purpose of this Act, "hazing" means any unauthorized 
assumption of authority by a cadet whereby another cadet suffers or is exposed 
to any form of injury, indignity, humiliation, hardship or oppression or the 
deprivation or abridgement of rights. 
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SEC. 8. Philippine Air Force Academy (PAFA) - There shall be established in the 
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Philippine Air Force an educational institution to be known as the Philippine Air Force 
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Academy (PAFA), hereinafter referred to as the Academy. 
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(a) Fifteen-month Transitory Program - For the first five (5) years of the 
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implementation of this Act, there shall be a fifteen-month intensive military officer training 
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program for aviation cadets. Cadets under this program should be a graduate of at least a 
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four-year baccalaureate degree, and possess such other requirements that the Academy 
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may impose. 
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(b) Four-year Baccalaureate Degree on Aero Engineering - On the sixth (6th) 
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year of this Act, the Academy shall accept its first batch of candidates for the four-year 
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Baccalaureate Degree on Aero Engineering. Aviation cadets should at least be high school 
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graduates, and possess such other requirements that the Academy may impose. 
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The present P AF Officer Candidate SchoollP AF Regular Officer Procurement 
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Program (PAFROPP) facilities shall be absorbed by the Academy including equipment, 
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facilities, school grounds and applicable members of the faculty and administrative 
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personnel, as the case maybe. 
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SEC. 9. 
Corps of Aviation Cadets Philippine Air Force. (CACPAF) - One 
student body of the Academy shall be known as the Corps of Aviation Cadets Philippine 
Air Force (CACPAF). The President shall be authorized to appoint annually, subject to 
such physical and mental examinations as may be prescribed, the number of aviation 
cadets necessary to maintain the Corps of Aviation Cadets at a strength of one hundred 
twenty (120) and not to exceed two hundred fifty (250) at anyone time. 
The strcngth of the Corps of Aviation Cadets Philippine Air Force shall be 
maintained by the annual appointment of Aviation Cadets composed of, as follows: 
a) 
Not more than twenty percent (20%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the children of members 
of the Armed Forces who: 
i) 
Were killed in action or died of wounds or injuries received or 
diseases contracted in or pre-existing injury or disease aggravated by 
active service; or 
ii) 
Were awarded the Medal of Valor for an act performed while 
serving in the Armed Forces. 
For the purpose of this act, a determination by the Line of Duty 
Board of the major services that a death is service-connected is binding 
upon the Secretary of the National Defense. 
b) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the enlisted members of 
the Armed Forces; 
c) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the reserve component of 
the Armed Forces; 
d) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the cultural communities 
as may be selected by the President; and 
e) 
The remaining number from the Philippines at large, selected based on 
order of merit, as established by competitive examination. 
SEC. 10. 
Corps of Officers Candidate. -
Another student body of the 
Academy shall be known as the Corps of Officers Candidate Philippine Air Force 
(COCPAF). 
The President shall be authorized to appoint annually, subject to such 
physical and mental examinations as may be prescribed, the number of officers candidate 
necessary to maintain the Corps of Officers Candidate at a strength of sixty (60) and not to 
exceed one hundred twenty (120) at anyone time. 
The strength of the Corps of Officers Candidate Philippine Air Force shall be 
maintained by the annual appointment of Officers Candidate composed of, as follows: 
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a) 
Not more than twenty percent (20%) selected based on order of merit, as 
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established by competitive examination, from the children of members of the 
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Armed Forces who: 
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i) 
Were killed in action or died of wounds or injuries received or 
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diseases contracted in or pre-existing injury or disease aggravated by 
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active service; or 
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ii) 
Were awarded the Medal of Valor for an act performed while 
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serving in the Armed Forces. 
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For the purpose of this act, a determination by the Line of Duty 
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Board of the major services that a death is service-connected is binding 
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upon the Secretary of the National Defense. 


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b) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit. as 
established by competitive examination, from the qualified enlisted 
members of the Armed Forces; 
c) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the reserve component of 
the Armed Forces; 
d) 
Not more than ten percent (10%) selected based on order of merit, as 
established by competitive examination, from the qualified cultural 
communities as may be selected by the President; and 
e) 
The remaining number from the Philippines at large, selected based on 
order of merit, as established by competitive examination. 
SEC. II. 
Eligibility for Admission. - To be eligible for admission, a candidate 
must be: 
I) Single and must never have been married: 
2) Natural-born citizen of the Philippines: 
3) At least seventeen (17) years of age but not more than twenty-two (22) on 
the first day of April of the year of admission of Aviation Cadets; 
4) At least Eighteen (18) years of age but not more than twenty-three (23) 
years of age on the 2"d day of January of the year of admission of Officers 
Candidate; 
5) For Aviation Cadets, have completed high school and passed the National 
Collegiate Admission Examination; 
6) For Officers Candidate, have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree 
obtained from any government-recognized and accredited educational 
institution; 
7) Have passed the competitive national examination given for the purpose; 
8) Have passed the physical examination and psychological tests to be given 
by competent authorities of the Philippine Air Force; 
The Academy shall provide for educational and physical facilities for the 
recruitment and training of women as members of the Corps of Aviation Cadets. 
Women shall be admitted and shall comprise not more than fifteen percent (15%) 
of the strength of both the Corps of Aviation Cadets and Corps of Officers Candidate at 
any time. 
All Aviation Cadets and Officers Candidate shall be appointed by the President. An 
appointment is conditional until the cadet is admitted. 
Cadets or students from other Philippine military institutions maybe admitted to the 
Academy depending on the prescribed quota set fOlib by the P AF provided that these 
cadets or students must have completed any four year baccalaureate degree course. These 
cadets or students, however, will no longer take the competitive nationwide examinations 
except that they must pass the physical and psychological examinations provided for. Upon 
entry into the Academy these cadets or students shall be absorbed and appointed as 
Aviation Cadets. Commissionship in the AFP for these cadets or stndents shall be subject 
to the requirements for commission of graduates of the Academy. 
If it is to be determined that, upon the admission of a new class to the Academy, the 
number of aviation cadets at the Academy will be below the authorized number, the Chief 
of Staff may nominate, as may be qualified, alternates and are recommended and found 
qualified by the Faculty as are necessary to meet the needs of the Air Force, but not more 
than the authorized strength of the Corps of Aviation Cadets. 
SEC. 12. 
Academic Courses. - a) There will be no academic breaks except on 
legal and national holidays. Nothing prevents the Academy from inviting instructors, 
professors and other experts from the aviation industry and from other schools. The 


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Academy shall be manned and equipped with the necessary faculty, expertise, equipment 
and facilities from existing national agencies, and shall be authorized to have agreements 
with schools, colleges, and universities to augment its capabilities and to hire civilian 
professors to man professorial chairs. All these personnel shall be subject to DND, AFP 
and Academy rules and regulations, whichever may be applicable. 
b) The Superintendent of the Academy shall recommend to the Chief of Staff, 
AFP, individuals who shall be designated or commissioned as members of the Corps of 
Professors. Applicable laws, rules and regulations governing the appOintment and 
commission in the Corps of Professors shall apply. 
SEC. 13. 
Organization Of the Corps Of Aviation Cadet. The Corps of 
Aviation Cadets of the Philippine Air Force as well as the Corps of Officers Candidate 
shall be organized along the lines of the P AF organizations. Both Corps shall each have a 
First Captain appointed by the Superintendent of the Academy from among the most 
qualified Aviation Cadets and Officers Candidate, respectively. 
Both Corps shall be 
bound by the honor code of conduct which shall be used to govern the behavior of each 
and every individual in addition to the established AFP rules and regulations. 
SEC. 14. 
Pay and Allowances. - The pay and allowances of the Aviation 
Cadets and Officers Candidate shall be fixed by the President. 
SEC. 15. 
Undertaking. - Each Aviation Cadet or Officer Candidate shall sign 
an agreement that, unless sooner separated by duly authorized authorities, he shall: 
1) 
Complete the course of instruction at the Academy; 
2) 
Accept an appointment and serve as a commissioned officer of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines for at least eigbt (8) years immediately after 
graduation from the Academy. Entry into the Academy shall be on the 1st 
day of April for Aviation Cadets and the 2nd day of January every year. 
Graduates from both training Corps shall be on last week of March every 
year and shall be considered one class, subject to an order of merit set by 
the IRR of this Act. 
SEC. 16. 
Aviation Cadet and Officer Candidate Retirement. -Any Aviation 
Cadet or Officer Candidate, who shall, after entrance to the Academy and before 
completion of prescribed courses of training, be found physically or mentally unfit for 
military assignment by reason of injury or disease incidental to the service, shall be retired 
with the rank of second lieutenant of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 
SEC. 17. 
Commission. - Upon satisfactory completion of the course of 
instruction at the Academy, the Aviation Cadets and Officers Candidate shall be 
commissioned as second lieutenants and incorporated among each other in the Regular 
Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the relative rank in the order of final 
general standing set by the IRR of this Act. 
SEC. 18. 
Prohibition against Hazing. - Subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of National Defense, the Superintendent of the Academy shall issue rules and 
regulations preventing hazing and prescribe dismissal, suspension and other adequate 
punishment for violation thereof. 
If an Aviation Cadet or Officer Candidate is charged with violating any rule or 
regulation issued pursuant to this Section, the penalty of which is dismissal from the 
Academy, a request in writing for a trial by a general court martial may be submitted. 
An Aviation Cadet or Officer Candidate dismissed from the Academy for hazing 
shall not be reappointed as an Aviation Cadet nor Officer Candidate and shall be ineligible 


, 
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for appointment as a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines until 
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after two (2) years from the graduation of his class. 
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SEC. 19. 
Transfer of Assets and Liabilities. - The existing PAF Officer 
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Candidate School/Regular Officer Procurement Program facilities including the members 
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of faculty and personnel, records, equipment, assets and liabilities are hereby transferred to 
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and integrated with the Philippine Air Force Academy. Similar assets necessary for 
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training pilots now existing elsewhere in the AFP shall be transferred to the Air and 
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Education Training Command. 
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SEC.20. 
Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The Secretary of National 
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Defense shall, within three (3) months after the approval of this Act, prescribe the 
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implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary for the effective implementation of the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 21. Funding - The initial appropnatlOns for the establishment of (he 
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Academy shall be charged to the appropriation of the Academy, coursed through the 
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Department of National Defense (DND). Two hundred forty-six million pesos 
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(Php246,000,000.00) shall be allotted to establish the four-year baccalaureate degree in the 
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Academy, which shall be released in five phases: one hundred sixty-seven million pesos 
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(Php 167,000,000.00) for the first (l st) year; forty-one million pesos (Php41 ,000,000.00) for 
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the second (2nd) year; twenty-one million pesos (Php21,000,000.00) for the third (3 fd) year; 
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eight million, five hundred thousand pesos (Php8,500,000.00)for the fourth (4th) year; and 
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eight million, five hundred thousand pesos (Php8,500,000.00) for the fifth (5th) year. 
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These shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
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Thereafter, the amount necessary for the improvement, operation and maintenance 
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of the Academy shall be included in the GAA. 
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SEC. 22. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid, all 
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the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid. 
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SEC. 23. 
TrallsitOlY Provision. -
All present First and Second Class 
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Aerocadets of the Philippine Military Academy, upon graduation, shall be accepted to the 
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Philippine Air Force. Thereafter, all the PAF officer requirements shall be provided by the 
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PAFA and the Air Force ROTC through the Air Force Reserve Command. 
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SEC. 24. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
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the completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
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Approved,