• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 322H 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
" r p 
Section I, Article XIII of the Constitution is clear in stating that the Congress shall give highest 
priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to 
human dignity. Sadly, even with this provision enslu'ined in our Constitution, discrimination still 
exists in the country, and its effects in the employment context can not be concealed. 
Every year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recruits batches of Filipino soldiers who 
are eager to defend and serve the country. Through the years, the AFP has maintained its 
standards in recruiting future members of the country's armed forces. 
In 2010, the AFP has lowered its height requirements to make recruitment easier and increase the 
pool of candidates available. The Department of National Defense approved the amendment to 
the height requirement of five-foot (1.52-meter) tall for soldiers in 2009 from the previous 
minimum height requirement of 5'4" for males and 5'2" for females!. According to the AFP, the 
lowering of minimum height requirement in the three major services of the armed forces aimed 
to boost its ranks with quality officers and troops, which includes those who would otherwise be 
considered "vertically-challenged,,2. The AFP also emphasized that height is no longer a 
strategic requirement for the military as there could be many 'shorter' Filipinos with the same 
amount of commitment and patliotism3. While this inititive is laudable, it still signifies height 
discrimination and takes away opportunity to those who are not gifted with height but are 
equally-competent candidates. 
Height restrictions irrefutably limits employment opportunities in our country. In most cases, 
vertically-challenged individuals are being handicapped by physical and social barners which 
hamper their full participation, specifically, in the armed forces. 
Recognizing that all persons have their own skills and potentials that will enable them to 
compete favorably for available opportunities in the armed forces, this bill seeks to lift all height 
restrictions for application to the Anned Forces of the Philippines. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
~~~ILLANES 
IV 
Senator 
I Dumlao, A. 
PMA studying mibtmy's new height requirement. February 25, 2010. Retrieved on 05 June 2012, tt·om 
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx.?articleld-552639&publicationSubCatcgOlyld-67. 
2 
Uy, 
J. 
Military 
'lowers' 
standards for 
recruits. 
February 04, 
2010 
Retrieved 
on 
04 
June 2012, 
from 
http://newsinfo.inquirer. net/inquirerheadli nes/nation/view/20 100204-251 1 97/M i litary-Iowcrs-standards-for-recrui ts. 
3 Ibid. 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
3229 
S.No. __ _ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
LIFTING THE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR APPLICANTS TO THE ARMED 
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the AFP Height Equality Act of 
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2012". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give 
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utmost support to measures that protect and enhance the right of all people. It is also the policy 
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of the State to promote fairness and impartiality by providing equal 0ppOliunity for employment 
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to qualified individuals in the armed forces of the country. 
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SEC. 3. Lifting Height Restrictions for Application to the Armed Forces of the 
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Philippines. - Based on the principle of equal opportunity for employment in the country, all 
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height restrictions relating to applicants for the Armed Forces of the Philippines are hereby 
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lifted; Provided, That candidates shall still undergo the same fundamental military training and 
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basic requirements imposed upon taller recruits to qualify to become members of the AFP. 
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SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of National Defense 
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shall, within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, issue the necessary rules 
aIld 
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regulations to implement the provisions hereof. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Cla(lse. 
- Should any provision of this 
Act be found 
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unconstitutional by a comi of I aw, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of this 
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Act, and such action shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules 
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and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. E.tJectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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any two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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