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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many government objectives are subordinated to conformity to rules and 
Programs of whatever nature, whether government or private, usually require a 
certain length of time to realize its goals. The person at the helm should thus enjoy a 
length of service - even better, a security of tenure - that would allow himlher adequate 
time to plan, test, execute matters to best achieve a desired end. This is even more 
imperative in the case of a key government position such as the AFP Chief of Staff who 
leads the AFP and whose tenure, though limited by the Constitution to three years, is 
even shortened by compulsory retirement laws. 
Such situation thus puts a damper on the selection of individuals for vacancies as 
the President's choices are limited to senior officers whose retirements draw near and 
ibus casts a shadow on the President's action as being politically driven. 
With the positions in question being critical to the country's interests, it is perhaps 
only correct that the persons chosen to serve in such capacity be the best, not 
necessarily among the most senior, and enjoy a period of service that will allow him/her 
to implement programs and thus deliver on the objectives of the armed forces. 
This bill endeavors to shield the selection process for such positions from political 
and personal considerations, by ensuring that merit and fitness prevail. It also grants 
security of tenure to ensure continuity of programs and better, free from patronage, 
performance. 
regulations that hamper their realization. 
With the foregoing considerations, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RODOLFO ~ ~ I A Z O N  
Senator 


AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING A FIXED TERM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED 
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to give due recognition to the significance of the positions of the Chief of Staff of the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in order to promote the stability of the institution 
of the AFP. 
SEC. 2-A. Term of Office of the Chief of Staff - The Chief of Staff of the AFP 
shall have a fixed term of office of three (3) years. The term shall commence on the 
date of appointment by the President, regardless of the date of confirmation by the 
Commission on Appointments: Provided, That no officer shall be appointed Chief of 
Staff if said officer has less than one (I) 
year remaining in the active service. 
No extension of term shall be allowed except in cases of war or national 
emergencies as Congress may declare. 
When the officer appointed to the position of Chief of Staff (AFP) reaches the 
compulsory retirement age before the end of the three-year term, the statutory 
compulsory retirement of the Chief of Staff (AFP) shall be deferred until the completion 
of the prescribed three-year term: Provided, however, That the Chief of Staff (AFP) may 
be removed by the President as Commander in Chief for loss of confidence as 
determined solely by the President even before the end of the term of three (3) years. 
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The fixed term provided for herein shall apply to the Chiefs of Staff (AFP) 
appointed by the President after the effectivity of this Act. 
The President shall select from among the officers in the grades of Major 
GeneraVRear Admiral to Lieutenant GeneralNice Admiral the officer who, in the 
judgment of the President, is best qualified for the position of Chief of Staff. 
SEC. 3. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of National Defense shall 
formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All issuances, laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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