NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
   ) 
First Regular Session       
   ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. _____
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Raul 
“Boboy” C. Tupas, Mercedes K. Alvarez, Divina Grace C. Yu, and Jorge 
“PATROL” Bustos 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
After the passage into law of Republic Act No. 117091, a significant 
number of proposals and recommendations from officers and enlisted personnel 
were made to amend some provisions in order to make it more responsive to the 
needs, 
peculiar 
situation, 
organizational 
culture 
and 
human 
resource 
development of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  
As a law of national significance, there is an imperative need to revisit its 
key provisions and to make it more responsive to the needs of the AFP. 
Consistent with Sec. 23 of the law which provides for the conduct for a 
systematic review, evaluation, and impact assessment of the Act, a pro-active 
stance was taken to consult the organization, officers, and enlisted personnel on 
the recommendations and courses of action. 
After the conduct of extensive consultations, several recommendations were 
identified towards the further enhancement of the law:    
a.) Allow the organization to manage the tenure-in-grade of enlisted 
personnel; 
b.) Limit the fixed tour of duty to the Chief of Staff, the commanding generals 
of the major services, and the PMA Superintendent while allowing lateral 
movement for other key positions;  
c.) Allow the Secretary of National Defense in consultation with the AFP to 
prescribe the authorized number of officers in the active force in each 
grade and in each major, technical or administrative service and 
implement the gradual increase or decrease in the number of officers in 
each officer rank based on the mission requirement, capabilities, scope of 
responsibility, technical nature of the position and task; 
1 AN ACT STRENGTHENING PROFESSIONALISM AND PROMOTING THE CONTINUITY OF POLICIES AND 
MODERNIZATION INITIATIVES IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, BY PRESCRIBING FIXED TERMS 
FOR KEY OFFICERS THEREOF, INCREASING THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF GENERALS/FLAG 
OFFICERS, PROVIDING FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE ATTRITION SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
December 5, 2022
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d.) Restore the rule that except for the Chief of Staff of the AFP, no officer 
shall be designated to the key positions or promoted to the rank of 
Brigadier General/Commodore or higher if said officer has less than six (6) 
months of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement;  
e.) Provide for lengthening for those in the positions of Captain, Major, and 
Lieutenant Colonel and increase the maximum tenure-in-grade for 
Colonel; and  
f.) Address the retirement grade provision of the law together with the 
proposed measures on pension and retirement for Military and other 
Uniformed Personnel.  
Congress is at all times guided by the constitutional provision of upholding the 
continuing role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the protector of the 
people and the State and its goal of securing the sovereignty of the State and the 
integrity of the national territory (Article II, Section 2, 1987 Philippine 
Constitution). In the enhancement of the law, the policies of professionalization of 
the organization, allowing the leadership for a longer period to implement 
reforms, and obviating the revolving door policy regarding promotions will 
continuously be pursued.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
RAUL”BOBOY” C. TUPAS 
MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ 
DIVINA GRACE C. YU 
JORGE “PATROL” BUSTOS 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Raul “Boboy” C. Tupas, 
Mercedes K. Alvarez, Divina Grace C. Yu and Jorge “PATROL” Bustos 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
FURTHER STRENGTHENING PROFESSIONALISM AND PROMOTING THE 
CONTINUITY OF POLICIES AND MODERNIZATION INITIATIVES IN THE ARMED 
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11709 is hereby amended to read as: 
SEC. 2. FIXED Tour of Duty AND LATERAL MOVEMENT of Key Officers. – (A) The 
following officers holding key positions in the AFP, upon [appointment] DESIGNATION 
shall have a fixed tour of duty of three (3) CONSECUTIVE years, UNLESS SOONER 
TERMINATED BY THE PRESIDENT 
(a) (1) Chief of Staff
(b) [Vice Chief of Staff]
(c) [The Deputy Chief of Staff]
(d) (2) Commanding General, Philippine Army
(e) (3) Commanding General, Philippine Air Force; AND
(f) (4) Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy
(g) [Unified Command Commanders; and]
(h) [Inspector General.]
[The tour of duty of the aforementioned officers shall commence on the date the 
appointment is signed and shall be for three (3) consecutive years unless sooner terminated 
by the President;] Provided, That THE COMMANDING GENERALS/FLAG 
OFFICER IN COMMAND OF THE MAJOR SERVICES [those mentioned in Section 
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2(b) to 2(h)] shall not be eligible for any other position in the AFP unless promoted to the 
position of Chief of Staff. 
 
(B) LATERAL MOVEMENT SHALL BE ALLOWED FOR OFFICERS HOLDING 
THE FOLLOWING KEY POSITIONS: 
 
(a) VICE CHIEF OF STAFF 
(b) THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF 
(c) UNIFIED COMMAND COMMANDERS; AND 
(d) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AFP 
 
PROVIDED, THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF STAFF, NO 
OFFICER SHALL BE DESIGNATED TO KEY POSITIONS OR PROMOTED TO 
THE RANK OF BRIGADIER GENERAL/COMMODORE, OR HIGHER IF THE 
OFFICER HAS LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS OF ACTIVE SERVICE 
REMAINING PRIOR TO COMPULSORY RETIREMENT. 
 
 
SEC. 2. Section 6, subsection (a), paragraph (3) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as: 
 
SEC. 6. Compulsory Retirement for Military Personnel. 
 
(a) The following officers of the AFP shall be compulsorily retired: 
 
(1) X x x 
 
(2) Those in the grades of Brigadier General/Commodore (O-7) upon reaching the age of 
FIFTY-SEVEN (57); MAJOR GENERAL/REAR ADMIRAL (O-8) UPON 
REACHING THE AGE OF FIFTY-EIGHT (58); LIEUTENANT GENERAL/VICE 
ADMIRAL (O9) UPON REACHING THE AGE OF fifty-nine (59) or the maximum 
tenure-in-grade as defined in this Act, whichever comes earlier; 
 
(3) Those occupying [a] key positionS, as defined in Section 2 of this Act, upon completion 
of the fixed tour of duty regardless of age, unless promoted [to Chief of Staff] IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH SAID SECTION 2 or who is relieved from post [and is not 
designated to or occupying any position in the AFP Table of organization]; and 
(4) X x x 
 
SEC. 3. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby repealed. 
 
SEC. 4. Section 10, subsection (b), paragraph (2) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as: 
 
SEC. 10. Forced Attrition of Officers. X x x 
 
(a)  X x x 
 


(b) Maximum Tenure-In-Grade for Officers 
 
(1) Generals/Flag Officers. X X X 
 
(2) Officers. – The maximum tenure of officers in the grades of Colonel, Lieutenant 
Colonel, Major, and Captain, or their equivalent in the other services in the AFP are 
hereby prescribed as follows: 
 
 
 
Grade 
Maximum 
Tenure-in-Grade 
Colonel/Captain (PN) 
(O-6) 
 [Eight (8)] NINE (9)  
years 
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN) 
(O-5) 
Seven (7) years 
Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN) 
(O-4) 
Six (6) years 
Captain/Lieutenant (PN) 
(O-3) 
Six (6) years 
 
 
PROVIDED, THAT THE PRESIDENT MAY LENGTHEN THE ACTIVE 
SERVICE-IN-GRADE OF OFFICERS IN THE PERMANENT GRADES OF 
CAPTAIN, MAJOR, AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL, OR THEIR EQUIVALENT, 
UP TO THREE (3) CYCLES WHEN NECESSARY, TO MAINTAIN THE 
DESIRABLE 
OFFICER 
RANK 
STRUCTURE 
AND 
UPHOLD 
THE 
PROGRESSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE OFFICER CORPS. 
 
 
X X X 
 
SEC. 5. Section 11, subsection (b) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as:  
 
SEC. 11.  Forced Attrition of Enlisted Personnel 
 
(a) X x x 
 
(b) Maximum Tenure-in-Grade for Enlisted Personnel. –  [An enlisted personnel shall be 
separated or retired in accordance with the provisions of existing laws for failure to be 
promoted after having attained the maximum allowable tenure for the present grade except 
if occupying a position calling for a higher grade in the AFP Table of Organization:] 
 
 
[Grade] 
[Maximum 
Tenure-in-Grade] 
[First Chief Master Sergeant 
(E-10)] 
[Three (3) years] 


[Chief Master Sergeant 
(E-9)] 
[Three (3) years] 
[Senior Master Sergeant 
(E-8)] 
[Three (3) years] 
[Master Sergeant 
(E-7)] 
[Three (3) years] 
[Technical Sergeant 
(E-6)] 
[Five (5) years] 
[Staff Sergeant 
(E-5)] 
[Five (5) years] 
[Sergeant 
(E-4)] 
[Four (4) years] 
[Corporal 
(E-3)] 
[Four (4) years] 
[Private First Class 
(E-2)] 
[Four (4) years] 
[Private 
(E-1)] 
[Four (4) years] 
 
 
THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE SHALL DETERMINE THE 
MAXIMUM TENURE-IN-GRADE OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as:  
 
SEC. 15. AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF OFFICERS [Officer Grade Distribution]. – The 
Secretary of National Defense, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AFP, shall prescribe 
the authorized number of officers in the active force in each grade and in each major, 
technical or administrative service. [and shall implement the gradual decrease in the 
number of officers in each officer rank as] THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF 
OFFICERS IN EACH RANK SHALL BE [part of, and] in line with[,] the Modernization 
Program of the AFP: [Provided, That one (1) year after the approval of this Act, such 
number shall not exceed the number in each grade authorized in the Table of Organization 
of units of the active force distributed as follows:]   
 
 
[(1) One percent (1%) in the General/Flag Officer grade based on the total officer 
strength authorized for the AFP or zero point one per centum (0.1%) of the total troop 
strength authorized for the AFP, whichever is lower;]  
 
[(2) Six percent (6%) in the grade of Colonel/Captain (PN) based on the total officer 
strength authorized for the AFP;]   
 
[(3) Twelve percent (12%) in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN) 
based on the total officer strength authorized for the AFP;]  


 
[(4) Eighteen percent (18%) in the grade of Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN) 
based on the total officer strength authorized for the AFP;]  
 
[(5) Twenty percent (20%) in the grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN) based on the 
total officer strength authorized for the AFP; and]  
 
[(6) Forty–three percent (43%) in the grades of First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior 
Grade (PN) and Second Lieutenant/Ensign (PN) based on the total officer strength 
authorized for the AFP.]   
 
Provided [, further], That the Table of Organization of units of the active force shall be 
adjusted in accordance with their respective missions and officer requirements, [and shall 
be gradually decreased pursuant to this section and] UNDER such rules and regulations as 
the Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe[, subject to the condition that the schedule 
of percentage for each grade as herein  prescribed shall not be exceeded]: Provided [, 
furthermore] FURTHER, That in the determination of the officer to enlisted personnel 
ratio, the mission requirement, capabilities, scope of  responsibility, technical nature of the 
position and task, and equipment inventory of units shall be taken into consideration: 
Provided, furthermore, That considering the highly technical nature of the Air Force and 
the Navy, they shall be allocated a higher officer to  enlisted personnel ratio [which shall 
not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the officer to  enlisted personnel ratio allocated in the 
Philippine Army]: Provided, furthermore, That as far as practicable, officers in the 
technical or administrative services such as surgeon general, chief dental service and chief 
nurse may be eligible for promotion to General/Flag Officer grade:[ Provided, furthermore, 
That the quota limitation provided herein shall not apply in the promotion to the rank of 
General/Flag Officer  of reserve officers in the inactive service:] Provided, finally, That if 
the actual number in a grade is less than the number prescribed, the difference may be 
applied as an increase to the number prescribed in a lower grade.  
 
 
SEC. 7. Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight 
Committee to monitor and oversee the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The 
Committee shall be composed of six (6) members from the Senate and six (6) members from the 
House of Representatives with the Chairpersons of the Committee on National Defense and 
Security, Peace, Unity and Reconciliation of the Senate and the Committee on National Defense 
and Security of the House of Representatives as joint Chairpersons of this Committee. The five (5) 
other members from each Chamber are to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives, respectively. The minority shall be entitled to pro rata 
representation but shall have at least two (2) representatives from each Chamber. 
 
SEC. 8. Review and Assessment. – The Department of National Defense shall conduct a systematic 
review, evaluation and impact assessment of this Act within five (5) years of its effectivity. A 
report shall be submitted to the Congressional Oversight Committee created under Section 7 
hereof, the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation 


of the Senate of the Philippines and the Committee on National Defense and Security of the House 
of Representatives within thirty (30) days after its review and assessment. 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.