• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
i 0 3jL -6 P I! :~.z 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
After more than two (2) decades, the National Defense College of the 
Philippines (NDCP) continues to provide for continuing and intensive studies 
relative to national defense and security to qualified military leaders and civilian 
executives. 
To strengthen its mandate and mission, this bill seeks to transform the NDCP 
to university status to be known as· "National Defense University of the Philippines" 
orNDUP. 
The NDUP shall have as its objectives the development of the skill and 
competence, as well as the enhancement of proper attitude and values of its 
students, to be able to formulate and implement national security policies and 
conduct strategic and international studies in support of said policies. For this 
purpose, masters and doctorate degrees in national security administration shall 
be offered to qualify military officials and civilian executives. 
, 
An organizational set-up with the corresponding personnel, qualifications and 
remuneration shall likewise be established in support of the new mandate. 
Moreover, the NDUP shall be under the general supervision of the secretary of 
National Defense who shall be responsible for the organization of the university 
and appointment of heads units and other officials. 
In this regard, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 443 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
NATIONAL 
DEFENSE 
UNIVERSITY 
OF 
THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Policy. - it shall be the policy of the State to provide advanced 
education in national security administration to outstanding men and women in 
the military as well as key officers in government agencies and the private sector. 
SEC. 2. Establishment of NDUP. - In furtherance of the policy enunciated 
under section 1, there shall be established in the Philippines an educational, 
training and research institution to be known as the "National Defense University 
of the Philippines" or NDUP. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - as an institution of higher learning, National Defense 
University of the Philippines shall aim to promote, to the highest degree possible, 
the traditional functions of teaching, research and extension. The NDUP shall 
have as its objectives and development of the skills and competence as well as 
the enhancement of proper attitude and values of its students so that they can 
help formulate and implement national security policies. It shall also conduct 
strategic and international studies and support of, or as basis for national security 
policies. 
SEC. 4. Functions. -
In order to achieve the objective defined in the 
preceding section, the NDUP shall: 
A. Conduct academic program consisting of graduate courses at both 
masters and 
. 
doctorate levels of stUdies and other special 
courses in the field of national security administration; 
B. Under take research and stUdies program that will enhance the quality 
and effectiveness of nliltional security formulation and management; 
C. Provide an' extension, program consisting of short courses, seminar 
workshop, policy conferences and fora on national security issues 
which may be held various location in the country 'to supplement its 
academic and research studies program; 
D. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the republic of the 
Philippines. 


SEC. 5. Organizational. -" The NDUP, as an academic institution of the 
Department of National Defense, shall initially to be composed of the National 
Defense University of the Philippines, Center for National Security Studies and a 
Center of Extension Services. Other units may be established by the secretary of 
the National Defense upon the recommendation of the President of NDUP in 
response to particular needs of the defense established. 
SEC. 6. The President. - Under the general direction and supervision of 
the Secretary of National Defense, the NDUP shall be headed by a president who 
shall have full power and authority to administer, manage and control its affairs. 
The president of the NDUP shall be a holder for doctorate degree and preferably 
with a meters' in National Security Administration shall be appointed by the 
President of the Philippines upon the recommendation by the Secretary of 
National Defense. This committee may be formulate its rule for selection and 
based therefrom, shall select and recommended at least three (3) candidates from 
which the Secretary of National Defense may choose to recommend for 
appointment by the President of the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. The Executive Vice President and other Vice President. - The 
President of NDUP shall be assisted by an Executive Vice President, Vice 
President of Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration Services, Vice 
President for Research and special Studies and a Vice President for Extension 
Activities. 
A. Function. The Executive Vice President who shall be responsible for 
planning and development shall act for the President in his absence and 
shall perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the 
President. The vice President for Academic Affairs shall be responsible 
for the development, implementation, supervision and evaluation of the 
academic program. The Vice President for Administrative Service shall 
be responsible for the over-all administration support to all activities of 
the University. The Vice President for Research and Special Studies 
shall direct the conduct of research work and special stUdies while the 
Vice President Extension Services shall be responsible for the outreach 
program and extension activities of the NDUP. 
B. Qualifications. The Executive Vice President and all the Vice Presidents 
shall be holders of a doctorate degree and preferably also holders of 
National Security Administration or equivalent degree. They shall be 
apPOinted by the Secretary of National Defense. 
SEC. 8. The Dean of the Colleges and the Directors of Centers. - The 
Colleges of the National Defense University of the Philippines shall be headed by 
a Dean while the Center for National Security Studies and Center for Extension 
services shall each be under a director. They shall be holders of a doctorate 
degree and preferably also with a master's degree in National Security 
Administration. 
SEC. 9. Term of Office. - The President, Executive Vice President, all Vice 
President, the Dean of the Colleges and Directors of the Center shall serve for a 
term of six (6) years without prejudice to one re-appointment for the same period. 
SEC. 10. Registrar. - The NDUP shall have a Registrar who shall be 
appOinted by the Secretary of National Defense upon recommendation of the 
University President. The Registrar shall keep all Transcripts of Records and 
related records of students as well as the minutes of academic board meetings. 


SEC. 11. Course Offering. '- The University shall offer graduate degree at 
both master and doctorate of study in National Security Administration and 
Development and shall undertake applied research and strategic and international 
studies. The Center for Extension Services shall undertake an extension and 
outreach program for promotion bf national security consciousness. The NDUP 
shall conduct such other courses or perform such studies as it may deem 
necessary to carry out its mandate or as directed by the Secretary of National 
Defense or the President of the Philippines. 
SEC. 12. Conferment of Academic and Degrees. - The NDUP shall confer 
graduate degrees upon successful candidates for graduation and may award 
graduate and may honorary degree upon persons who have made outstanding 
contribution to or have distinguished themselves in the field of national security. 
SEC. 13. Direction and Supervision of NDUP. - The NDUP shall be under 
the. general direction and supervision of the Secretary of National Defense who 
shall organize the university and appoint the heads of units other official with the 
ranks comparable with those of other graduate colleges or universities. The NDUP 
shall have such personnel as may be necessary to enable the institution to 
effectively carry out its mandate. 
SEC. 14. The Academic Board.-
a) Composition. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall have 
an academic board composed of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs 
Chairman, the Dean of the NDUP, the Director of the Center for National 
Strategic studies, the director of the Center for Extension Services, the 
heads of the academic disciplines of the college, the institutes and the 
centers as members. The Board may be expanded, at the discretion of the 
President, to include such staff and faculty members as may be determined 
by him provided the additional members shall not exceed twenty (20). 
Resources persons may be requested to attend academic board meetings 
to provide information or expertise necessary in making appropriate 
recommendation or decisions. 
b) Function. The Academic Boprd shall assist the President in the discharge of 
the following functions: 
(1) To supervise the academic affairs of the University; 
(2) To take responsibility fo,r discipline of students; 
(3) To recommend the' courses of study which shall include, but not 
necessarily limited to, all facets and elements of national security, strategic 
and international studies; 
(4) To recommend the ,establishment of professional chairs in the 
University; and 
(5) To recommend the adoption of admission requirements and the 
conferment of degrees to candidates for graduation for the approval of the 
President. 
SEC. 15. The Board of Visitors. -
A. Compositions. The NDUP shall have a Board of Visitors composed of not 
more than nine (9) members who are distinguished alumni of NDUP, captains of 
industry, members of the academe or government officials whose functional and 
professional expertise span the mission and specific curricula of the University and 
who shall be appointed by the Secretary of National Defense for a term of three (3) 
years. No member of the Board s~all serve a total of more than nine (9) years. 


B. Meetings. The Board shall meet at least once every year to assist the 
NDUP in the review of the curricular offering, make written observations and 
submit recommendations relative to the accomplishment of the mission of the 
University. 
C. Honoraria and expenses. The members of the Board shall not receive 
any salary but shall, however, be entitled to honoraria and reimbursement for 
actual and necessary expenses incurred in attendance to meetings as may be 
determined by the Secretary of National Defense. 
SEC. 16. Remuneration. - The salary, privileges and other benefits of the 
President, the Vice President, the Dean of the College and the Directors of the two 
Centers shall be comparable to that being received by the president, academic 
heads, faculty, and staff of premier educational institutions in the country; 
Provided, That in addition to the regular salaries, merit increases and across-the-
board salary adjustments and other forms of emoluments and benefits may be 
given. 
SEC. 17. Exemption from Compensation and Position Classification 
and Civil Service Commission Rules. - The President, the Executive Vice 
President, the Vice Presidents, the College Dean, the Institute Director, and the 
members of the faculty shall be exempt from the rules and regulations of the office 
on the compensation and position classification. Likewise, they shall be exempt 
from the civil service examination regulations as a requisite for appointment. No 
religious of political affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of the 
officials or employees of the University. 
SEC. 18. Honoraria of Faculty Members and Consultants. - The 
National Defense University of the Philippines shall have a core faculty composed 
of professors, instructors and le,cturers in full time basis. Consultants of the 
University on part-time basis may be drawn from the military and civilian branches 
of the national government, from business, and from public and private 
educational institutions. All academic consultants, professors, instructors or 
lecturers, whether civilian or military personnel, in additional to their regular 
salaries, shall be entitled to receive honorarium or fees as may be fixed by the 
President with the approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
SEC. 19. Fiscal Autonomy. - The NDUP shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. 
Pursuant to each authority to collect various fees in all academic and training 
courses, it shall be allowed to retain the proceeds of such collection and to 
appropriate the same for the regular expenditure of NDUP subject to government 
accounting rules and regulations. The NDUP may receive in trust legacies, 
devises, gifts, donations of real and personal property of all kinds and nature and 
to administer the same for the benefit of the University in accordance with the 
instructions or directions of the donor or in default thereof, as the law on donation 
may provide. 
SEC. 20. Personnel on Special Studies Details or Secondment. -
Heads of bureaus and officers ofthe national government are hereby authorized to 
loan or transfer upon request of the President of the University, such apparatus or 
supplies as may be needed by the University and to assign employees on detail or 
secondment, for duty therein, whet? in the judgment of the head of the bureau or 
office such supplies or employees can be spared without serious detriment to the 
public service. For the purpose of promotion or other personnel transactions, 
service in the university either by uniformed or civilian personnel shall be counted 
as part of active service in their mother units. 


SEC. 21. Academic Freedom. -The NDUP shall enjoy academic freedom. 
SEC. 22. Grant of Career Executive Service Eligibility. - For purposes of 
appointment or promotion to key and sensitive positions in the government, 
graduates of doctoral or graduate courses of the National Defense University of 
the Philippines are granted a career executive service officer eligibility, level 3 and 
5, respectively and preferential consideration and/or credit points in the grade or 
class of their respective positions. This provision on eligibility shall have retroactive 
effect insofar as it benefits holders of a master in national security administration 
degree from the NDUP. 
SEC. 23. Promotion to General! Flag Rank. - For purposes of promotion 
to the rank of brigadier general or flag officer in the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines a master's degree in national security administration shall be a 
requirement. Nonetheless, accreditation of equivalent courses taken in foreign 
schools may be allowed as an exemption on case to case basis upon consultation 
with the Chief of Staff, AFP and the recommendation of NDUP. 
SEC. 24. Grant of Commission to Civilian Graduates. - Subject to 
existing AFP regulations, civilian graduates of regular courses from NDUP may be 
commissioned as officers in the Reserve Corps of the AFP with the initial rank of 
lieutenant colonel for those who are holders of master's degree. For holders of 
Doctorate in National Security Administration, the rank of full colonel may be given 
provided that the candidate is at least forty-two (42) years old and holds the rank 
equivalent to a department undersecretary. Those who are holders of commission 
in the AFP (inactive) below the rank of lieutenant colonel shall be promoted to 
lieutenant colonel or full colonel, as the case may be. 
SEC. 25. Eligibility, Lists, and Authority to Use "MNSA" and "DNSA".-
All graduates of the masters in national security administration course and 
doctorate in National Security Administration shall be included in the MNSA and 
DNSA eligibility list and authorized to use with honor the abbreviation "MNSA after 
their name while those graduating with doctoral degree may use "DNSA. The 
eligibility lists shall be published periodically by the NDUP, copy of which shall be 
furnished the Chief of Staff of the AFP. 
SEC. 26. Annual Report. -Within thirty (30) days after the opening of the 
regular classes each year, the: President of the NDUP shall submit to the 
Secretary of National Defense with a copy of the Offices of the President of the 
Philippines and both Houses of Congress, an annual report containing details on 
the conduct of the preceding classes, progress on the on-going classes, and 
conditions and needs of the University. 
SEC. 27. Transfer of Personnel, Equipment, Assets and Liabilities. -
All personnel, records, equipment, appropriations, assets and liabilities of the 
National Defense College of the Philippines are hereby transferred to the NDUP. 
SEC. 28. Campus of NDUP. - The NDUP campus shall be located in Metro 
Manila. 
SEC. 29. Officer-in-Charge of the NDUP. - The incumbent President of 
the NDUP shall be the officer-in-charge of NDUP pending appointment of its 
president. 
SEC. 30. Promulgation of Implementing Rules. - The Secretary of 
National Defense is hereby empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to 
effectively implement the objectives and purposes of this Act. 


SEC. 31. Initial Appropriations. - The amount of One Hundred Fifty Million 
Pesos (P150,OOO,OOO.OO) or such sum or sums as may be needed to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be appropriated and shall be carried generally under 
the Department of National Defense in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
presidential issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
remaining provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to have the 
force and effect of law. 
SEC 33. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,