Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT TO FURTHER DEVELOP CAPABILITY AND ESTABLISH 
EXPEDITIOUS TRANSFORMATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
NATIONAL DEFENSE AND ITS BUREAUS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A comprehensive national defense plan that addresses both conventional and non-
conventional threats to national security in the present and the future goes beyond 
merely modernizing our military capabilities; it necessitates the modification of 
antiquated policies, starting with the Commonwealth Act No. 1, the National Defense 
Act of 1935.  
Crafted in an era when the Philippines was still under American control and 
protection, our ninety-year-old primary law on national defense is now obsolete and 
needs a major overhaul to keep up with the times. 
This proposal will modernize national security-related policies, principles, and 
concepts while institutionalizing reforms to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 
the entire Department of National Defense which are introduced via executive or 
administrative fiat. 
Key features of this measure include the: 
(1)
addition of the Secretary of Defense in the Chain of Command; the
provision of maximum tenure for rank officers;
(2)
establishment of the Warrant Officers – highly technical experts,
including combat leaders and trainers;
(3)
provision of free legal assistance to military personnel charged with
service-related offenses;
(4)
establishment of the Government Arsenal tasked with the manufacture
and/or supply of arms and ammunition to the Armed Forces and law
enforcement;
November 28, 2022
8:01 am
6400


(5) 
organization of the National Defense College into the National Defense 
University; 
(6) 
integration of the Technical and Administrative Services and the 
Women’s Auxiliary Corps in the Component Services. 
 
With the growing geopolitical tension near our borders, the time to revisit our 
National Defense Act is now! 
In the light of the foregoing, ug sa ngalan sa SERBISYONG TINUORAY, approval of 
this bill Is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
 
 




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT TO FURTHER DEVELOP CAPABILITY AND ESTABLISH 
EXPEDITIOUS TRANSFORMATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
NATIONAL DEFENSE AND ITS BUREAUS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS 
1 
1. Short Title. —  This Act shall be known as  "The National Defense Act."
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of National Defense Policies. —  The national defense policies of 
3 
the Republic of the Philippines shall be as follows: 
4 
(a)
In defending the Philippines, the paramount consideration shall be
5 
national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right 
6 
to self-determination; 
7 
(b)
The national defense organization shall be adapted as closely as
8 
possible to the territorial and administrative organization of the 
9 
Philippines; 
10 
(c)
The civil authority shall at all times be supreme over the military. The
11 
President of the Philippines as the Commander-in-Chief of all military 
12 
forces, shall be responsible that mobilization measures are prepared at 
13 
all times; 
14 
(d)
The mobilization shall include the execution of all measures necessary
15 
to pass from a peace to a war footing or in any case of actual invasion 
16 
or when public safety so requires as well as during its transition to 
17 
normalcy or rehabilitation; 
18 
(e)
The mobilization plans of financial, industrial, economic, technological
19 
and social resources of the Philippines shall conform to the provisions 
20 
of the Constitution and shall be prepared by the executive departments 
21 
concerned in accordance with the following general policies: 
22 
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(1) The respective responsibilities of the several executive 
23 
departments in mobilization planning will be prescribed by the 
24 
President; 
25 
(2) Forces and resources shall be employed so as to ensure unity and 
26 
continuity of effort until normalcy has been attained; and 
27 
(f) 
No profit incident to war shall accrue to any individual, corporation, 
28 
association or partnership. 
29 
SEC. 3. 
Defense Conditions and Authority. —  Defense conditions shall be the 
30 
bases for the designation of persons and entities to act in behalf of the 
31 
state. Defense Conditions, hereinafter referred to as DEFCON, are 
32 
circumstances where the three categories of events — disaster, internal 
33 
disorders, and invasion — acting separately or in concert tend to, or 
34 
actually threaten, the security of the state. The hierarchy of defense 
35 
conditions and the persons or entities designated to act in behalf of the 
36 
state shall be prescribed by the President. 
37 
ARTICLE I 
38 
NATIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL 
39 
SEC. 4. 
National Defense Council. —   
40 
(a) 
The National Defense Council (NDC) chaired by the President is 
41 
composed of heads of the executive departments, past Presidents, past 
42 
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and other government officials and 
43 
private citizens as the President may appoint or designate. It shall have 
44 
a permanent staff which shall preserve a documentary record of the 
45 
Council's deliberations. 
46 
(b) 
The method of operation of the National Defense Council, its detailed 
47 
duties, and its rights to summon witnesses or consultants shall be fixed 
48 
in executive orders to be issued by the President. Funds for its operation 
49 
shall be provided in the appropriations for the Executive Department. 
50 
TITLE I 
51 
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE 
52 
Article I — General Provisions 
53 
SEC. 5. 
Mandate. —  The Department of National Defense is the primary 
54 
government agency charged with the duty of implementing the provisions 
55 
of this Act. The defense establishment shall be maintained to maximize its 
56 


effectiveness for guarding against external and internal threats to national 
57 
peace and security. 
58 
SEC. 6. 
Powers and Functions of the Department. —  To carry out the above 
59 
declared policy, the Department shall exercise and perform the following 
60 
powers and functions: 
61 
(a) 
Formulate and prepare national defense policies, strategies, plans and 
62 
programs; 
63 
(b) 
Formulate, develop and update the national defense plan of the 
64 
country, including the mobilization plan for the employment of the 
65 
country's citizens and resources for national defense; 
66 
(c) 
Control, 
monitor, 
coordinate, 
supervise 
and 
evaluate 
the 
67 
implementation of national defense policies, plans, programs and 
68 
activities; 
69 
(d) 
Exercise supervision and control over the Armed Forces of the 
70 
Philippines (AFP), Government Arsenal (GA), Office of Civil Defense 
71 
(OCD), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the National 
72 
Defense University of the Philippines (NDUP); 
73 
(e) 
Formulate, establish, implement, supervise and control quality 
74 
management system. 
75 
(f) 
Establish, promote and maintain bilateral and multilateral linkages for 
76 
defense and military cooperation with its international counterparts for 
77 
the purpose of addressing traditional and non-traditional security 
78 
threats. 
79 
(g) 
Implement 
the 
country's 
international 
defense 
and 
security 
80 
commitments based on defense and security treaties, cooperation 
81 
agreements, international covenants, protocols and other similar 
82 
arrangements; 
83 
(h) 
Develop self-reliance defense posture to guarantee the enhancement of 
84 
responsive and progressive capabilities and maximum utilization of 
85 
resources; 
86 
(i) 
Develop a responsive Armed Forces capable of addressing various 
87 
threats to national security; and 
88 
(j) 
Perform such other defense-related functions as may be provided by 
89 
law or directed by the President of the Philippines. 
90 


SEC. 7. 
Contracts. —  The Department is hereby authorized to enter into, make, 
91 
perform and carry out contracts of every class, kind and description which 
92 
are necessary or incidental to the performance of its mandate as provided 
93 
herein, with any person, firm or corporation, public or private, and with 
94 
foreign government entities, subject to the provisions of existing laws, 
95 
rules and regulations. 
96 
SEC. 8. 
Management and Control of Defense Real Properties. — 
97 
(a) 
The Department is hereby authorized to administer, operate, manage, 
98 
control, maintain and develop defense real properties for strategic 
99 
basing and to use, hold, acquire, or lease any private real property, right 
100 
of way, or easement which may be proper or necessary for the 
101 
accomplishment of its mandate as provided in this Act. 
102 
(b) 
The sale and/or exchange of strategic defense real properties shall be 
103 
prohibited unless otherwise recommended by the Secretary of National 
104 
Defense, approved by the President of the Philippines, with the consent 
105 
of Congress. 
106 
(c) 
The lease and/or development of defense real properties, by joint 
107 
venture or otherwise shall be allowed upon prior approval by the 
108 
President of the Philippines. 
109 
(d) 
Any and all income derived from the lease or disposition of such defense 
110 
real estate shall be remitted only to the AFP Modernization Act Trust 
111 
Fund, and disbursed in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
112 
regulations. 
113 
SEC. 9. 
Special Defense Materiel Acquisition. —  Upon prior approval by the 
114 
President of the Philippines, and when the procurement for use by the AFP 
115 
involves major defense equipment or materiel and/or defense-related 
116 
consultancy services, when the expertise or capability required is not 
117 
available locally, and the Secretary of National Defense has determined 
118 
that the interests of the country shall be protected by negotiating directly 
119 
with an agency or instrumentality of another country with which the 
120 
Philippines has entered into a defense cooperation agreement or otherwise 
121 
maintains diplomatic relations, the AFP may be allowed to resort to 
122 
negotiated procurement: Provided, however, That the performance by the 
123 
supplier of its obligations under the procurement contract shall be covered 
124 
by a performance security in accordance with Sec. 39 of the IRR of R.A. 
125 
9184. 
126 
SEC. 10. Exemption from Import Licenses. —  AII acquisition of defense materiel 
127 
by the DND and its bureaus shall be exempt from import and other 
128 


licenses imposed by other agencies of the government. In lieu thereof, the 
129 
SND shall issue a certification that the goods being imported are exempt 
130 
from such licenses. 
131 
SEC. 11. Grants and Donations. —  The Department, or any of the bureaus, 
132 
agencies or offices under it, may accept donations, contributions, and 
133 
grants from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes relevant to 
134 
its functions:  Provided, That in case of donations from foreign 
135 
governments or persons, acceptance thereof shall be subject to existing 
136 
laws, rules and regulations. 
137 
SEC. 12. Defense Cooperation Agreements. — 
138 
(a) 
Unless otherwise provided by the Constitution, the Department of 
139 
National Defense may enter into Defense/Military Cooperation 
140 
Agreements to develop, enhance and sustain multi-faceted defense and 
141 
security engagements and cooperation with the defense and armed 
142 
forces of other countries. 
143 
(b) 
Defense/Military Cooperation Agreements shall include but not limited 
144 
to the exchange of information, exchange of visits, exchange of 
145 
personnel, subject matter expert exchange, logistics cooperation, 
146 
defense industry cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster 
147 
response, defense and military doctrine development, research and 
148 
development in defense science and technology, participation in trade, 
149 
science or technology exhibits, military and defense exercises, training 
150 
activities, and education exchanges or other areas of mutual concern. 
151 
Article II – Organization 
152 
SEC. 13. Organizational Structure. —  The Defense Department shall be composed 
153 
of the DND-Proper and its bureaus namely, the Armed Forces of the 
154 
Philippines 
(AFP), 
Philippine 
Veterans 
Affairs 
Office 
(PVAO), 
155 
Government Arsenal (GA), National Defense University of the Philippines 
156 
(NDUP), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and other instrumentalities under 
157 
the supervision and control of the Secretary of National Defense as 
158 
provided for by law. 
159 
SEC. 14. Composition. —  The DND-Proper shall be composed of the Office of the 
160 
Secretary of National Defense and the Offices of the Undersecretaries and 
161 
Assistant Secretaries, and the Department Services. 
162 


SEC. 15. Office of the Secretary. —  The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the 
163 
Secretary of National Defense and his/her immediate staff as determined 
164 
by him/her. 
165 
SEC. 16. The Secretary of National Defense. —  The Secretary of National Defense 
166 
shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the 
167 
Commission on Appointments. 
168 
SEC. 17. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. —  The authority and 
169 
responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for 
170 
the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary 
171 
of National Defense, who shall have supervision and control of the 
172 
Department. The Secretary shall also perform such other functions as may 
173 
be necessary or proper to attain the objectives of this Act or as may be 
174 
provided by law or directed by the President. 
175 
TITLE II 
176 
THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
177 
Article I - General Provisions 
178 
SEC. 18. Declaration of Policies. — 
179 
(a) 
The AFP, as the protector of the people and the State, shall secure the 
180 
sovereignty and defend the territory of the Republic of the Philippines 
181 
against all threats; 
182 
(b) 
The AFP shall uphold the Constitution and adhere to the rule of law at 
183 
all times; 
184 
(c) 
Professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and 
185 
benefits of its members shall be a prime concern of the State; and 
186 
(d) 
The AFP, as an institution, shall be insulated from partisan politics. No 
187 
member of the military shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any 
188 
partisan political activity, except to exercise the right of suffrage. 
189 
SEC. 19. Mission and Functions. —  The AFP is the protector of the people and the 
190 
State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of 
191 
the national territory. It shall have the duty to: 
192 
(a) 
Defend against all forms of threats to national defense and security; 
193 
(b) 
Plan, organize, train, equip, develop, employ and sustain its Regular 
194 
and Reserve Force for national defense and security; and 
195 


(c) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
196 
the Commander-in-Chief. 
197 
SEC. 20. Chain of Command. —  The exercise of authority, direction, command 
198 
and control over the AFP shall be carried out through the Chain of 
199 
Command, which is the line of authority and responsibility along which 
200 
orders are passed, beginning from the President as the Commander-in-
201 
Chief, through the Secretary of National Defense, to the Chief of Staff of 
202 
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) down to the commander of 
203 
the lowest echelon of command in the AFP:  Provided,  That this does not 
204 
preclude the President from issuing orders directly to the AFP. 
205 
SEC. 21. Organization and Composition. —  The AFP shall be initially composed 
206 
of three (3) component services- the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air 
207 
Force, and the Philippine Navy. These services shall form the Citizens 
208 
Armed Force composed of the Regular Force and Reserve Force guided by 
209 
the Table of Organization and Equipment of the AFP, prescribed by the 
210 
Secretary of National Defense upon recommendation of the CSAFP. 
211 
ARTICLE II 
212 
THE REGULAR FORCE 
213 
A. 
ORGANIZATION AND COMPOSITION  
214 
CHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS 
215 
SEC. 22. Size and Composition. —  The Regular Force, alternately referred to as 
216 
the Standing Force, shall be initially composed of the following: 
217 
(a) 
Regular Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Personnel; 
218 
(b) 
Reservists called to active duty, or on active duty tour for training; and  
219 
(c) 
Draftees, trainees and government-sponsored Filipino cadets enrolled 
220 
in local or foreign military schools. 
221 
The size and composition of the Regular Force shall be prescribed by the 
222 
President, upon the recommendation of the CSAFP of the Philippines 
223 
through the Secretary of National Defense. 
224 
SEC. 23. Organizational Principle. —  The President, through the Secretary of 
225 
National Defense, shall organize the AFP into such commands, forces and 
226 
units in accordance with operational requirements. For this purpose, the 
227 
national territory may be divided into such operational areas as the 
228 
Secretary of National Defense may direct. 
229 


SEC. 24. Organizational Structure. —  The Regular Force of the AFP shall consist 
230 
of the Joint Headquarters; the Joint Force Operational and Functional 
231 
Commands; the Component Services namely: The Philippine Army, the 
232 
Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force; and the other existing units, 
233 
component services, commands, and task forces of the AFP. The Secretary 
234 
of National Defense upon the recommendation of the CSAFP may, in 
235 
accordance with the policies or directives of the President, create 
236 
additional units, services, commands and task forces, or reorganize the 
237 
AFP in response to any situation or in pursuance of operational or 
238 
contingency plans.  
239 
SEC. 25. Operational Principles. —  The operational principles of the AFP shall be 
240 
as follows: 
241 
(a) 
The Commander-in-Chief shall exercise command and control through 
242 
the CSAFP with the supervision of the Secretary of National Defense. 
243 
The Joint Headquarters AFP, shall be the command and control 
244 
element of the AFP; 
245 
(b) 
The Joint Headquarters AFP shall exercise centralized command and 
246 
control to ensure unity and coordination of efforts throughout the 
247 
military establishment; 
248 
(c) 
The Joint Force Operational Commands as force employers shall be 
249 
responsible for the decentralized execution of joint operations to 
250 
achieve maximum operational efficiency within the military 
251 
establishment unless otherwise determined by the CSAFP through the 
252 
supervision of the Secretary of National Defense; 
253 
(d) 
the Component Services as force providers shall be responsible for the 
254 
development, organization, training, equipping, maintenance and 
255 
sustainment of combat forces, combat service forces, technical and 
256 
administrative service, and combat service support forces. 
257 
(e) 
The AFP Reserve Force shall provide for the base of expansion of the 
258 
Component Services. 
259 
CHAPTER 2 — THE JOINT STAFF HEADQUARTERS ARMED FORCES 
260 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
261 
SEC. 26. Mandate. —  The Joint Staff Headquarters, which shall be headed by the 
262 
CSAFP, shall be the command and control element of the AFP. 
263 
SEC. 27. Organization. —  The Joint Staff Headquarters shall be composed of the 
264 
Office of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Office 
265 
of the Vice Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff; the AFP 
266 


Joint, Personal and Special Staff and the other key staff offices and units 
267 
necessary for effective command and control of the AFP as recommended 
268 
by the CSAFP with the approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
269 
SEC. 28. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. —   
270 
(a) 
The President shall appoint the CSAFP from among the officers with 
271 
the rank of Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral in the active service, who 
272 
shall hold the rank of General/Admiral. 
273 
(b) 
CSAFP shall serve a minimum tour of duty of 2 years and maximum of 
274 
3 years. For this purpose, the CSAFP shall be allowed to complete his 
275 
maximum tour of duty beyond his retirement age:  Provided,  That the 
276 
CSAFP may be removed by the President as Commander in Chief at 
277 
any time before the end of the term of 3 years and deemed retired from 
278 
active military service. 
279 
SEC. 29. Powers and Functions. —  The Chief of Staff shall: 
280 
(a) 
Serve as the principal military advisor to the President and the Secretary 
281 
of National Defense; 
282 
(b) 
Be responsible for the formulation of the national military strategy 
283 
consistent with the national defense strategy; 
284 
(c) 
Be responsible for the development of the policies, strategies, missions, 
285 
plans and programs of the AFP; and 
286 
(d) 
Prescribe the organization, powers, functions and duties of the various 
287 
staff, services, and other units of the AFP in accordance with the 
288 
national defense policy. 
289 
SEC. 30. The Vice Chief of Staff. —  The Vice Chief of Staff shall be the principal 
290 
assistant of the CSAFP and shall perform the functions of the CSAFP 
291 
during the latter's absence or incapacity. He shall be appointed in the same 
292 
manner as the CSAFP. 
293 
The Vice Chief of Staff shall serve for a minimum term of 1 year and 
294 
maximum of 3 years unless otherwise promoted to the next higher 
295 
position and without prejudice to compulsory retirement age as provided 
296 
in this Act:  Provided,  That no Officer shall be appointed as a Vice Chief 
297 
of Staff if that officer has less than one (1) year remaining in the active 
298 
service:  Provided further,  That Vice Chief of Staff may be removed by 
299 
the President as Commander in Chief at any time before the end of the 
300 
term of 3 years and deemed retired from active military service. 
301 


SEC. 31. The Deputy Chief of Staff. —  The Deputy Chief of Staff shall integrate 
302 
and synchronize the Joint Staff works to assist the CSAFP in policy 
303 
formulation and implementation, and command decision making process 
304 
through completed staff work. 
305 
The Deputy Chief of Staff shall serve for a minimum term of 1 year and 
306 
maximum of 3 years unless otherwise promoted to the next higher 
307 
position and without prejudice to compulsory retirement age as provided 
308 
in this Act:  Provided,  That no Officer shall be appointed as The Deputy 
309 
Chief of Staff if that officer has less than one (1) year remaining in the 
310 
active service:  Provided further,  That the Deputy Chief of Staff may be 
311 
removed by the President as Commander in Chief at any time before the 
312 
end of the term of 3 years and deemed retired from active military service. 
313 
SEC. 32. The Joint Staff. —  The Joint Staff, as coordinating staff shall advise and 
314 
assist the CSAFP in the performance of his/her functions. The 
315 
organization, functions and duties of the Joint Staff shall be prescribed by 
316 
the CSAFP. 
317 
SEC. 33. Personal Staff. —  The Personal Staff, as immediate staff shall directly 
318 
advise and assist the CSAFP in the performance of his/her functions. The 
319 
organization, functions and duties of the Personal Staff shall be prescribed 
320 
by the CSAFP: Provided, That coordination with other staff is not 
321 
precluded. 
322 
SEC. 34. Special Staff. —  The Special Staff, as specialized, technical and 
323 
administrative staff shall advise and assist the CSAFP in the performance 
324 
of his/her functions. The organization, functions and duties of the Special 
325 
Staff shall be prescribed by the CSAFP. 
326 
SEC. 35. Authority to Reorganize the General Headquarters into the Joint Staff 
327 
Headquarters. —  In the interest of efficiency and effectiveness, the 
328 
CSAFP, upon the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, may: 
329 
(a) 
Establish and organize staffs, offices and units in the Joint Staff 
330 
Headquarters in addition to the AFP Joint, Personal and Special Staff, 
331 
and prescribe the organization, mission and functions; anD 
332 
(b) 
Abolish existing staffs, offices and units in the Joint Staff Headquarters 
333 
not specifically provided in this Chapter or by any other provision of 
334 
law, or transfer or consolidate their functions and duties with other 
335 
staffs, offices or units. 
336 
CHAPTER 3 — JOINT FORCE OPERATIONAL COMMANDS 
337 


SEC. 36. Organization, Mission and Function. — 
338 
(a) 
The Joint Force Operational Commands shall be organized and 
339 
established by the CSAFP with the approval of the Secretary of 
340 
National Defense which shall be under the command, control and 
341 
operational direction of its Joint Force Commander. 
342 
(b) 
The mission, functions, duties and responsibilities and joint area of 
343 
operations of the Joint Force Operational Commands shall be 
344 
prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense, in consultation with, 
345 
or upon the recommendation of the CSAFP. 
346 
SEC. 37. Designation or Assignment of Joint Force Commanders. — 
347 
(a) 
The Joint Force Commanders of the JFOC shall be designated or 
348 
assigned to the said position by the President, upon the 
349 
recommendation of the CSAFP of the Philippines through the Secretary 
350 
of National Defense. 
351 
(b) 
The Joint Force Commanders of the JFOC, as force employer, shall 
352 
have operational control over all units operating within their respective 
353 
joint area of operations. 
354 
(c) 
The Joint Force Commanders of the JFOC shall serve for a minimum 
355 
term of 2 years and maximum of 3 years unless otherwise promoted to 
356 
the next higher position and without prejudice to compulsory 
357 
retirement age as provided in this Act:  Provided, That no officer shall 
358 
be appointed as a Joint Force Commander if that officer has less than  
359 
two  (2) years remaining in the active service:  Provided further,  That 
360 
Joint Force Commanders may be removed by the President as 
361 
Commander in Chief at any time before the end of the term of 3 years 
362 
and deemed retired from active military service. 
363 
CHAPTER 4 — THE COMPONENT SERVICES 
364 
SEC. 38. Organization. — 
365 
(a) 
The Component Services shall be organized by the President, upon the 
366 
recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense and the CSAFP. 
367 
The Chiefs of the Component Services shall be designated or assigned 
368 
to the said position by the President. 
369 
(b) 
The Chiefs of the Component Services shall serve for a minimum term 
370 
of 2 years and maximum of 3 years unless otherwise promoted to the 
371 
next higher position and without prejudice to compulsory retirement 
372 
age as provided in this Act: Provided, That no Officer shall be 
373 


appointed as Chief of Component Service if that officer has less than  
374 
two  (2) years remaining in the active service:  Provided further,  That 
375 
Chief of Component Service may be removed by the President as 
376 
Commander in Chief at any time before the end of the term of 3 years 
377 
and deemed retired from active military service. 
378 
(c) 
The Component Services shall act as force providers, which shall 
379 
develop, organize, train, equip, maintain and sustain the necessary 
380 
forces in support of the AFP missions. 
381 
SEC. 39. The Philippine Army. —  The Philippine Army (PA), headed by the Chief 
382 
of the Philippine Army shall provide forces that will be responsible for the 
383 
conduct of prompt and sustained joint and combined ground operations 
384 
in support of the AFP mission. It shall be composed of its headquarters, 
385 
maneuver units, and sustainment units and such other units as may be 
386 
necessary for the conduct of ground operations. 
387 
SEC. 40. Functions of the Philippine Army. —  The Philippine Army shall:  
388 
(a) 
Develop, organize, train, equip, maintain, and sustain such ground 
389 
forces or units as may be necessary for the conduct of prompt and 
390 
sustained operations; 
391 
(b) 
Prepare such forces or units as may be necessary for the effective 
392 
implementation of the national defense plans and programs and armed 
393 
forces missions; 
394 
(c) 
Formulate and develop, in coordination with the other Component 
395 
Services, doctrines, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures peculiar 
396 
to the Army; 
397 
(d) 
Implement mobilization of the Army Reserve; and 
398 
(e) 
Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law or 
399 
assigned by the CSAFP. 
400 
SEC. 41. The Philippine Air Force. —  The Philippine Air Force (PAF) headed by 
401 
the Chief of the Philippine Air Force shall provide forces that will be 
402 
responsible for the conduct of prompt and sustained air operations in 
403 
support of the AFP mission. It shall be composed of its headquarters, air 
404 
combat, combat support and sustainment units and such other units as 
405 
may be necessary for the conduct of air and support operations. 
406 
SEC. 42. Functions of the Philippine Air Force. —  The Philippine Air Force shall: 
407 


(a) 
Develop, organize, train, equip, maintain, and sustain such air forces 
408 
or units as may be necessary for the conduct of prompt and sustained 
409 
operations; 
410 
(b) 
Prepare such forces or units as may be necessary for the effective 
411 
implementation of the national defense plans and programs and armed 
412 
forces missions; 
413 
(c) 
Formulate and develop, in coordination with the other Component 
414 
Services, doctrines, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures peculiar 
415 
to the Air Force; 
416 
(d) 
Implement mobilization of the Air Force Reserve; and 
417 
(e) 
Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law or 
418 
assigned by the CSAFP. 
419 
SEC. 43. The Philippine Navy. —  The Philippine Navy (PN) headed by the Chief 
420 
of the Philippine Navy, shall provide forces that shall be employed for the 
421 
conduct of prompt and sustained naval operations in support of the AFP 
422 
missions. It shall be composed of its headquarters, naval forces, service 
423 
support and sustainment units and such other units as may be necessary 
424 
for the conduct of naval operations. 
425 
SEC. 44. Functions of the Philippine Navy. —  The Philippine Navy shall:  
426 
(a) 
Develop, organize, train, equip, maintain, and sustain such naval forces 
427 
or units as may be necessary for the conduct of prompt and sustained 
428 
operations; 
429 
(b) 
Prepare such forces or units as may be necessary for the effective 
430 
implementation of the national defense plans and programs and armed 
431 
forces missions; 
432 
(c) 
Formulate and develop, in coordination with the other Component 
433 
Services, doctrines, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures peculiar 
434 
to the Navy; 
435 
(d) 
Implement mobilization of the Navy Reserve; and 
436 
(e) 
Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law or 
437 
assigned by the CSAFP. 
438 
SEC. 45. Technical and Administrative Service. —  Each Component Service shall 
439 
develop, organize, train, equip, maintain, and sustain their respective 
440 
Technical and Administrative Service composed of but not limited to, The 
441 
Judge Advocate General Service, Medical Corps, Veterinary Corps, 
442 


Medical and Administrative Corps, Nurse Corps, Dental Corps, Chaplain 
443 
Service, and Corps of Professors. 
444 
SEC. 46. The Women's Auxiliary Corps. —  The Women's Auxiliary Corps as 
445 
created by Republic Act No. 3835, as amended shall be integrated to their 
446 
respective Component Service. For this purpose, RA 3835 is hereby 
447 
repealed. Further, the number of female personnel in the AFP, 
448 
notwithstanding provision of relevant laws, shall be prescribed by the 
449 
Secretary of National Defense. 
450 
CHAPTER 5 — MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
451 
INSTITUTIONS 
452 
SEC. 47. Organization, Mission and Function. —   
453 
(a) 
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Command and General Staff 
454 
College (CGSC), Officer Candidate School (OCS), Non-commissioned 
455 
Officer Academy and other Military Education and Training 
456 
Institutions organized and established by the CSAFP with the approval 
457 
of the Secretary of National Defense shall be under the command, 
458 
control and direction of their Military Education and Training 
459 
Superintendent/Commandant. 
460 
(b) 
The mission, functions, duties and responsibilities of the military 
461 
education and traIning institutions shall be prescribed by the CSAFP 
462 
with the approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
463 
SEC. 48. The Philippine Military Academy. — 
464 
(a) 
Mandate. The Philippine Military Academy categorized as special 
465 
higher education institution is the primary training and educational 
466 
institution of the AFP, which shall be its principal source of regular 
467 
officers. The degree programs, instruction, faculty complement, 
468 
research, and facilities of the PMA shall be accredited by the 
469 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
470 
(b) 
Organization. - The Academy headed by the Superintendent shall be 
471 
organized as prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense, upon the 
472 
recommendation of the CSAFP. 
473 
(c) 
Development. — The Academy shall determine its teaching, manpower, 
474 
curriculum, research and extension thrusts, plans and programs, 
475 
standards and budget. 
476 


(d) 
Cadet Corps. - The student body of the Academy shall be known as the 
477 
Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP) and shall have 
478 
such strength, as the Secretary of National Defense shall determine, 
479 
upon the recommendation of the CSAFP. 
480 
(e) 
Academic Board. - There shall be an Academic Board organized by the 
481 
Superintendent. The Board shall, in accordance with the rules and 
482 
regulations prescribed by the CSAFP, have the power to confer 
483 
baccalaureate degrees upon the cadets who satisfactorily complete the 
484 
approved course of study. 
485 
(f) 
The Superintendent shall serve for a minimum term of 2 years and 
486 
maximum of 3 years unless otherwise promoted to the next higher 
487 
position and without prejudice to compulsory retirement age as 
488 
provided in this Act:  Provided,  That no Officer shall be appointed as 
489 
Superintendent if that officer has less than  two (2) years remaining in 
490 
the active service:  Provided further,  That the Superintendent may be 
491 
removed by the President as Commander in Chief at any time before 
492 
the end of the term of 3 years. 
493 
(g) 
Board of Visitors. The PMA shall establish a board of visitors to look 
494 
into the academic affairs of the Academy with the end of enhancing its 
495 
educational systems. The Board of Visitors shall be composed of at least 
496 
five (5) but not more than seven (7) members designated by the 
497 
Superintendent, whose membership shall meet at least once a year. 
498 
SEC. 49. Authority to Establish Other Military Training Institutions. —  The 
499 
President, upon the recommendation of the CSAFP through the Secretary 
500 
of National Defense, is hereby authorized to establish other military 
501 
training academies and institutions in the AFP. 
502 
B. 
RECRUITMENT, PROMOTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 
503 
CHAPTER 1 — COMMISSIONED OFFICERS 
504 
SEC. 50. Qualifications. —  All persons commissioned as officers in the Regular 
505 
Force shall be natural born citizens of the Philippines, of legal age, of good 
506 
moral character, physically and mentally qualified for active military 
507 
service, and shall have such other qualifications as may be prescribed by 
508 
the Secretary of National Defense. 
509 
SEC. 51. Appointments in the Regular Force. — 
510 
(a) 
Officers shall be permanently appointed by the President in the Regular 
511 
Force in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. 
512 


(b) 
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the date of rank of a 
513 
commissioned officer in active service in the Regular Force shall be the 
514 
date of permanent appointment in that grade by the President. 
515 
SEC. 52. Revocation of Commission. —  The commission of an officer may be 
516 
revoked by the President at any time, upon the recommendation of the 
517 
Secretary of National Defense when found not fully qualified for such 
518 
commission or who lacks any of the qualifications prescribed by law or 
519 
regulation. 
520 
SEC. 53. Officer Grade Distribution. —  The Secretary of National Defense shall 
521 
prescribe the authorized number of officers in the Regular Force in each 
522 
grade in each Component Service in accordance with the Table of 
523 
Organization and Equipment. 
524 
SEC. 54. Distribution of General/Flag Officers. —  The number of general/flag 
525 
officers herein authorized shall be distributed to the various general/flag 
526 
officer grades by the Secretary of National Defense based on the 
527 
recommendation of the CSAFP in accordance with the Table of 
528 
Organization and Equipment. 
529 
SEC. 55. Tour of Duty in Key Positions. —  No officers with less than 1 year 
530 
remaining active service shall be designated to positions requiring the rank 
531 
of Brigadier General/Commodore or higher. 
532 
SEC. 56. AFP Promotion System . — 
533 
(a) 
The AFP Promotion System shall be governed by the principle that as 
534 
officers are promoted from one grade to the next higher grade, the 
535 
criteria of competence, merit and potentials are the primary 
536 
consideration. 
537 
(b) 
The AFP Promotion System shall be the primary means by which the 
538 
AFP shall periodically evaluate and assess its ranks of officers and shall 
539 
institutionalize and continue to implement an efficient process of 
540 
selection for promotion, as well as for attrition of officers as prescribed 
541 
by the Secretary of National Defense. 
542 
(c) 
The AFP Promotion System shall be governed by a management system 
543 
with a view of ensuring smooth succession in the filling of vacancies in 
544 
key positions as and when these occur. 
545 
(d) 
The Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe the seniority and 
546 
promotional lineal list of the AFP. 
547 


SEC. 57. Promotion to General/Flag Officer Grades. —  No officer shall be 
548 
promoted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore or higher unless 
549 
there is an existing vacancy and the officer is occupying a position in the 
550 
Table of Organization and Equipment that requires the rank for which he 
551 
is being considered for promotion or assignment. 
552 
SEC. 58. Maximum Tenure in Rank. —  The maximum tenure of officers in the 
553 
ranks of Colonel/Captain and General/Flag Officer in the AFP are hereby 
554 
prescribed as follows: 
555 
Colonel/Captain 
 
 
 
 
8 years 
556 
Brigadier General/Commodore 
 
 
4 years 
557 
Major General/Rear Admiral 
 
 
4 years 
558 
Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral  
 
3 years 
559 
General/Admiral 
 
 
 
 
3 years 
560 
Unless earlier separated or retired or promoted to the next higher rank or 
561 
occupying a position calling for the ranks of higher grade in the AFP 
562 
TOLE, 
Colonels/Captains 
and 
Generals/Flag 
Officers 
shall 
be 
563 
compulsorily retired upon the attainment of the maximum tenure in rank 
564 
herein prescribed, or upon reaching the age of compulsory retirement, 
565 
whichever is earlier, except for those, who may be allowed by the President 
566 
to finish tenure in position as recommended by the Secretary of National 
567 
Defense. 
568 
SEC. 59. Determination and Allocation of Key Positions. —  The Secretary of the 
569 
Department of National Defense upon the recommendation of the CSAFP 
570 
shall determine and allocate the number of key positions among the 
571 
component services, headquarters and support units of the AFP based on 
572 
the technical nature of the organization, position, task, scope and area of 
573 
responsibilities, equipage, prevailing Defense Condition and other 
574 
considerations as the exigencies of the service may require. 
575 
CHAPTER 2 — WARRANT OFFICERS 
576 
SEC. 60. Qualifications for Appointment. —  Any natural born citizen of the 
577 
Philippines, of legal age, physically and mentally fit for military service, of 
578 
good moral character, and possessed of such educational attainments and 
579 
specialized skills or expertise as may be prescribed by the Secretary of 
580 
National Defense, may be appointed in the Regular Force. 
581 


SEC. 61. Appointments in the Regular Force. —  Warrant Officers shall be 
582 
appointed by the Secretary of National Defense. 
583 
SEC. 62. Revocation of Appointment. —  The appointment of an officer, who is 
584 
found not fully qualified for such appointment or who lacks any of the 
585 
qualifications prescribed by law or regulation may be revoked by the 
586 
Secretary of National Defense at any time, upon the recommendation of 
587 
the CSAFP. 
588 
SEC. 63. Warrant Officer Management. —  The Secretary of National Defense shall 
589 
prescribe the special career management, employment, grades, rank and 
590 
authorized number of warrant officers in the Regular Force in each grade 
591 
in each Component Service in accordance with the operational and 
592 
organizational needs of the AFP. 
593 
CHAPTER 3 — ENLISTED PERSONNEL 
594 
SEC. 64. Qualifications for Enlistment. —  Any natural born citizen of the 
595 
Philippines, of legal age, physically and mentally fit for military service, of 
596 
good moral character, and possessed of such educational attainments as 
597 
may be prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense, may be enlisted 
598 
in the Regular Force under the following restrictions:  
599 
(a) 
Except as otherwise provided herein, each enlistment in the Regular 
600 
Force shall be for a term of five (5) years:  Provided,  That all 
601 
enlistments in force at the outbreak of war, or other grave national 
602 
emergency, or entered into during its continuation shall remain in force 
603 
until six months after its termination, unless sooner terminated by the 
604 
President; 
605 
(b) 
Enlistments for service shall be apportioned among the various 
606 
provinces of the Philippines, as far as practicable, provided that 
607 
qualifications for competency as prescribed shall be observed; and 
608 
(c) 
Re-enlistment in the Regular Force shall be prescribed by the Secretary 
609 
of National Defense. 
610 
SEC. 65. Enlisted Ranks. —  The ranks of enlisted personnel in the AFP shall be in 
611 
accordance with the guidelines set forth by the CSAFP. The total number 
612 
of enlisted personnel in the enlisted ranks and non-commissioned officer 
613 
grades shall be prescribed by the CSAFP in accordance with the number 
614 
of authorized positions in the approved Table of Organization L 
615 
Equipment. 
616 


SEC. 66. Enlistment and Career Development of Enlisted Personnel System. —  
617 
The Secretary of National Defense shall, upon the recommendation of the 
618 
CSAFP, prescribe the guidelines, which shall govern the procurement, 
619 
enlistment, training, promotion and discharge or separation of all enlisted 
620 
personnel in the AFP. 
621 
SEC. 67. Authority to Promote and Demote. —  The authority to promote and 
622 
demote Enlisted Personnel shall be prescribed by the CSAFP 
623 
C. 
RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION 
624 
SEC. 68. Retirement and Separation. —  Retirement, whether compulsory or 
625 
optional, and separation from military service, shall conform with existing 
626 
laws, rules and regulations without prejudice to the provisions of this Act. 
627 
SEC. 69. Recall from Retirement. —  An Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted 
628 
Personnel who retired from the active service, may be recalled to active 
629 
duty by the President during national mobilization and shall be subject to 
630 
the Articles of War. They shall be recalled in the last permanent rank held 
631 
before retirement. 
632 
SEC. 70. Retirement and Separation Benefits. —  Congress shall allocate funds for 
633 
the retirement and separation benefits as according to existing laws, rules 
634 
and regulations. 
635 
SEC. 71. Attrition System. — 
636 
(a) 
The attrition system for Officers shall be prescribed by the President as 
637 
recommended by the Secretary of National Defense. 
638 
(b) 
The attrition system for Warrant Officers and Enlisted Personnel shall 
639 
be prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense as recommended the 
640 
CSAFP. 
641 
SEC. 72. Effect of Loss of Filipino Citizenship. —  Pursuant to existing laws, any 
642 
retired military personnel, receiving retirement and pension benefits 
643 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act, who loses his/her Filipino 
644 
citizenship shall no longer be entitled to receive pension and retirement 
645 
benefits. The survivors of any retired military personnel who lose his 
646 
Filipino citizenship shall no longer be entitled to receive survivorship 
647 
benefits 
648 


D. 
ADMINISTRATION OF MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM 
649 
SEC. 73. Military Justice. —   
650 
(a) 
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, enforcement of discipline and 
651 
military justice shall be governed by applicable laws and administrative 
652 
issuances as prescribed by the President upon recommendation of the 
653 
Secretary of National Defense. 
654 
(b) 
There shall be reduction in grade, demotion of rank, suspension of 
655 
active service, and forfeiture, suspension, or withholding of pay and 
656 
allowances of Officers, except those ranks confirmed by Commission 
657 
on Appointments, found administratively liable. The procedure, extent 
658 
or system of which shall be prescribed by the President as recommended 
659 
by the Secretary of National Defense. 
660 
(c) 
Procedure, extent or system of reduction in grade, demotion of rank, 
661 
suspension of active service, and forfeiture, suspension or withholding 
662 
of pay and allowances of Warrant Officers and Enlisted Personnel 
663 
found administratively liable shall be prescribed by the Secretary of 
664 
National Defense as recommended by the CSAFP. 
665 
E. 
LEGAL ASSISTANCE 
666 
SEC. 74. Extension of Legal Assistance. —  All military personnel charged of 
667 
service-related or service-connected administrative, civil or criminal 
668 
offenses, upon approval of their Chiefs of Component Services, shall be 
669 
provided adequate legal representation and assistance by military lawyers 
670 
or counsel of their own choice until conclusion of the case. Reasonable 
671 
allocation can be charged against the fund of component service to 
672 
support such case. 
673 
ARTICLE III — THE RESERVE FORCE 
674 
CHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS 
675 
SEC. 75. Organization  of the Reserve Force. —  The organization  of the Reserve 
676 
Force shall conform to projected and actual needs as determined by the 
677 
Secretary of  National Defense upon the approval by the President. The 
678 
Table of Organization and Equipment of the Reserve Force shall be 
679 
prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense upon recommendation of 
680 
the CSAFP. 
681 


SEC. 76. Purpose. —  The purpose of the Reserve Force is to provide the base for 
682 
the expansion of the AFP in the event of disaster, internal disorder and 
683 
invasion; 
684 
CHAPTER 2 — COMPOSITION OF THE RESERVE FORCE 
685 
SEC. 77. Composition. —  The Reserve Force shall have three (3) components, 
686 
namely: 
687 
(a) 
The Army Reserve Component; 
688 
(b) 
The Air Force Reserve Component; and 
689 
(c) 
The Navy Reserve Component. 
690 
SEC. 78. Affiliated Reserve Units. —  Affiliated Reserve Units (ARUs) are private 
691 
and government entities, corporations, establishments and organizations 
692 
at the national, provincial, city and municipal levels which provide 
693 
essential public and strategic services necessary to support the prosecution 
694 
of national defense plans or to meet an emergency. ARUs shall belong to 
695 
any of the Reserve Force Components. 
696 
SEC. 79. Call to Active Duty of the Reserve Force. —  Reservists may be called to 
697 
active duty for training and/or deployment as prescribed by the CSAFP as 
698 
approved by the Secretary of National Defense. 
699 
TITLE III 
700 
OTHER BUREAUS AND AGENCIES UNDER THE DEPARTMENT 
701 
ARTICLE I — GENERAL PROVISIONS 
702 
SEC. 80. Supervision and Control. —  The Secretary of National Defense shall 
703 
exercise supervision and control over the bureaus and agencies under this 
704 
Title, as well as its personnel. 
705 
SEC. 81. Organization. — 
706 
(a) 
Unless otherwise provided by law, the organization, functions, duties 
707 
and responsibilities of the staff and operating units of each of the 
708 
bureaus and agencies under the Department shall be as prescribed by 
709 
the Secretary of National Defense in appropriate rules and regulations 
710 
issued for the purpose. 
711 


(b) 
For this purpose, and in the interest of service, the Secretary of National 
712 
Defense may, in accordance with the policies or directives of the 
713 
President: 
714 
(1) Establish and organize staffs, offices and units in the bureaus or 
715 
agencies and prescribe the titles, powers, functions and duties of 
716 
the positions therein; 
717 
(2) Abolish existing staffs, offices and units in the bureaus or 
718 
agencies not specifically provided by law, or transfer or 
719 
consolidate their functions and duties with other staffs, offices or 
720 
units; and 
721 
(3) Abolish a position of any bureau or agency and transfer or 
722 
consolidate its functions and duties with those of another 
723 
position. 
724 
SEC. 82. Separation Benefits of Officials and Employees of Affected Bureaus or 
725 
Agencies. —  Government employees displaced or separated from the 
726 
service as a result of the restructuring pursuant to this Act shall be entitled 
727 
to a separation pay and other benefits in accordance with existing laws, 
728 
rules or regulations. 
729 
ARTICLE II 
730 
THE GOVERNMENT ARSENAL 
731 
SEC. 83. Mandate. —  The Government Arsenal shall develop, operate, maintain 
732 
and secure facilities for the manufacture of weapons, munitions and other 
733 
defense materiel to support the requirements of the AFP, Philippine 
734 
National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies; and, to sell 
735 
and export products in excess of the local demand. 
736 
SEC. 84. Power and Functions. —  The Government Arsenal shall have the 
737 
following powers and functions 
738 
(a) 
Formulate and implement plans and programs towards the 
739 
achievement of self-sufficiency in weapons, small arms ammunition, 
740 
mortars, medium and large caliber ammunition and other munitions 
741 
needed by the country's defense and security establishments; 
742 
(b) 
Design, conduct research, develop, manufacture, procure, repair, 
743 
stockpile and allocate weapons, munitions and other defense materiel 
744 
subject to existing laws and regulatory requirements. 
745 


(c) 
Sell and export products in excess of the requirements of the AFP and 
746 
other law enforcement agencies, subject to existing laws;  
747 
(d) 
Devise ways and means for the efficient mobilization of civilian/private 
748 
industry to augment its production for use of the defense and security 
749 
forces; 
750 
(e) 
Establish, secure and operate government defense manufacturing 
751 
plants, as necessary, in strategic locations within the country; and 
752 
SEC. 85. Organization and Administration. —  The Government Arsenal shall be 
753 
headed by a Director with one or more Assistant Directors who shall 
754 
support the Director in the administration, manufacturing operations and 
755 
other affairs of the bureau; all of whom shall be appointed by the President 
756 
upon the recommendation from the Secretary of National Defense, and 
757 
who shall have the relevant expertise, training and experience in the field 
758 
of munitions. 
759 
SEC. 86. Modernization of the Arsenal. —  The  modernization of the Government 
760 
Arsenal, for the development of production capabilities to enhance self-
761 
sufficiency in defense requirements, shall be part of the defense 
762 
modernization program. The Government Arsenal may use such 
763 
production facilities as it may own or be provided with under this Act or 
764 
as it may arrange, under joint venture, co-production or similar 
765 
agreements with local and foreign entities. 
766 
ARTICLE III 
767 
NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 
768 
SEC. 87. Transformation of the NDCP. —  In view of the rapidly evolving national 
769 
and regional security environment, the current academic trends and 
770 
research thrusts of defense institutions in the Asia Pacific, and the 
771 
increasing need for specialized defense and security courses to enhance the 
772 
academic foundation of promoting Philippine national security, The 
773 
National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) is hereby transformed 
774 
into the National Defense University of the Philippines (NDUP) 
775 
categorized as a special higher education institution. To ensure the 
776 
continuous operation of the College, all its personnel and resources shall 
777 
be absorbed by the NDUP. 
778 
The degree programs, instruction, faculty complement, research, and 
779 
facilities of the NDUP shall be accredited by the Commission on Higher 
780 
Education (CHED). The NDUP shall likewise have adequate plantilla 
781 


positions and receive appropriate funding to fulfill the requirements of 
782 
transforming into a defense university. 
783 
SEC. 88. Mandate. —  In accordance with the standards set forth in pertinent laws 
784 
and regulations on higher education, the NDUP shall train and develop 
785 
the competence of potential national defense leaders, civilian officials of 
786 
the different agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, and 
787 
selected executives from the private sector in the formulation and review 
788 
of national security policies and undertake research and studies as basis 
789 
for the formulation of national defense and security policies, plans and 
790 
programs. The NDUP shall be headed by a President, and assisted by an 
791 
Executive Vice President, and four (4) Vice-Presidents, all of whom shall 
792 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the 
793 
recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense. The NDUP 
794 
President shall have a term of six (6) years. 
795 
SEC. 89. Powers and Functions. —  The University shall have the following powers 
796 
and functions: 
797 
(a) 
Confer the degree of Master in National Security Administration 
798 
(MNSA) upon the graduates thereof; 
799 
(b) 
Develop and Confer other baccalaureate, master' s, and doctorate 
800 
degrees on defense and security; and 
801 
(c) 
Undertake policy research and special studies as well as policy 
802 
formulation on strategic defense and security issues. 
803 
SEC. 90. Organization and Administration. — 
804 
(a) 
The NDUP President shall administer the affairs of the University 
805 
(b) 
The NDUP President shall be assisted by the Executive Vice President 
806 
(EVP). The EVP shall act as NDUP President in the absence or 
807 
incapacity of the NDUP President, and shall perform such other 
808 
functions and duties as may be assigned to him by the NDUP President 
809 
or the Secretary of National Defense. 
810 
(c) 
There shall be a Vice-President for Academic Affairs, who shall be 
811 
responsible for the development, implementation, supervision and 
812 
evaluation of academic programs; a Vice-President for Strategic Studies 
813 
and Policy Formulation, who shall be responsible for the conduct and 
814 
supervision of research and special studies and policy formulation and 
815 
review for the Department; a Vice-President for Military Affairs, who 
816 
shall be responsible for the overall military activities of the University; 
817 
a Vice-President for Administration, who shall be responsible for the 
818 


overall administrative support to all the activities of the University and 
819 
such other officials as may be required by the University subject to the 
820 
approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
821 
(d) 
The University shall have an Academic Board to assist the President 
822 
discharge the following functions: 
823 
(1) Supervise the academic affairs of the University;  
824 
(2) Recommend 
academic 
consultants, 
professors, 
lecturers, 
825 
instructors, research assistants and other resource persons of the 
826 
University; and Recommend the courses of studies to be 
827 
conducted by the University to accomplish its objectives. 
828 
(3) Recommend the courses of students to be conducted by the 
829 
University to accomplish its objectives. 
830 
The Board shall be composed of the Vice President for Academic 
831 
Affairs as Chairman, and the Heads of the various academic disciplines 
832 
as members, who shall be designated by the NDUP President subject to 
833 
the approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
834 
(e) 
All resource persons of the University including but not limited to 
835 
academic consultants, professors, lecturers, instructor, thesis advisers, 
836 
members of examining and evaluating panels, examiners, correctors, 
837 
and technicians who are regularly employed in the Government shall, 
838 
in addition to their salaries, be entitled to receive honoraria, fees and 
839 
other emoluments fixed by the Secretary of National Defense. 
840 
(f) 
The Secretary of National Defense may establish a  Council of Fellows  
841 
in the University to assist and advise him in providing strategic 
842 
direction and guidance necessary to ensure the accomplishment of the 
843 
mandate of the University. 
844 
SEC. 91. Graduates of the Regular Course of the University. —  All graduates of 
845 
the University shall be conferred the degree of Master in National Security 
846 
Administration (MNSA). Civilian graduates of the MNSA program shall 
847 
receive an initial rank of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander in the Reserve 
848 
Force subject to existing AFP regulations. The MNSA or its equivalent in 
849 
military career development course shall be required for appointment or 
850 
designation to key positions and promotion of AFP officers to the grade 
851 
of 0-7 (Brigadier General/Commodore). 
852 
SEC. 92. Transition. —  The SND shall determine the appropriate transition period 
853 
for NDCP to attain the status and competency of becoming a university. 
854 
Further, Congress shall allocate the necessary funds for the transformation 
855 
of NDCP to NDUP. 
856 


ARTICLE IV 
857 
OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE 
858 
SEC. 93. Mandate. —  The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) shall have the primary 
859 
mission of administering a comprehensive national civil defense and 
860 
disaster risk reduction and management program during local and 
861 
national emergencies by providing leadership in the continuous 
862 
development of strategic and systematic approaches as well as measures 
863 
to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and manage the 
864 
consequences of disasters. 
865 
SEC. 94. Powers and Functions. —  The Office shall have the following powers and 
866 
functions: 
867 
(a) 
Establish and administer a comprehensive national civil defense and 
868 
civil assistance program to include the allocation to agencies and local 
869 
government units such aid and funds as may be made available by the 
870 
national government, assisting governments, and international and 
871 
local organizations; 
872 
(b) 
Formulate policies and prepare plans for the protection and welfare of 
873 
the civilian population in times of war or other national emergencies as 
874 
may be determined by the President of the Philippines; 
875 
(c) 
Furnish guidance and coordinate the activities of national government 
876 
agencies, local government units, private institutions and civic 
877 
organizations for natural and human-induced disasters; 
878 
(d) 
Develop and coordinate a program for informing, educating and 
879 
training the general public, volunteer workers and civil defense groups 
880 
on civil defense and assistance measures and activities; 
881 
(e) 
Prepare and disseminate disaster control manuals and other 
882 
publications related to measures on disaster prevention and mitigation, 
883 
preparedness, response and rehabilitation and recovery; 
884 
(f) 
Advise the Secretary of National Defense on matters concerning civil 
885 
defense and make recommendations from time to time as may be 
886 
deemed appropriate or as the Secretary may require; 
887 
(g) 
Provide assistance and secretariat services to the National Disaster Risk 
888 
Reduction and Management Council to implement the policies set by 
889 
the latter relative to disaster management; 
890 
(h) 
Furnish guidance to the various provinces, cities and municipalities in 
891 
the planning, accreditation, organization and operation of their civil 
892 
defense organizations; and 
893 


(i) 
Perform such other civil defense functions as may be provided by law. 
894 
SEC. 95. Organization. —  The Office of Civil Defense shall be headed by an 
895 
Administrator who shall also serve as Executive Director of the National 
896 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and, as such, shall have 
897 
the same duties and privileges of a department undersecretary. It shall 
898 
operate under a duly approved organization and staffing as recommended 
899 
by the Secretary of National Defense. 
900 
ARTICLE V 
901 
PHILIPPINE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE 
902 
SEC. 96. Mandate. —  The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office shall be the 
903 
government agency responsible for administering the benefits due to 
904 
veterans, their heirs and beneficiaries and shall provide medical care and 
905 
treatment to veterans pursuant to existing laws. It shall also administer, 
906 
maintain and develop military memorials and battle monuments 
907 
proclaimed as national shrines. 
908 
SEC. 97. Powers and Functions. —  The Office shall have the following powers and 
909 
functions: 
910 
(a) 
Formulate and promulgate, subject to the approval of the Secretary of 
911 
National Defense, policies, rules and regulations governing the 
912 
adjudication and administration of veterans claims and benefits; 
913 
(b) 
Adjudicate and administer benefits, pensions and other privileges 
914 
granted to veterans, their heirs and beneficiaries; 
915 
(c) 
 Provide medical care and treatment to veterans pursuant to existing 
916 
law; 
917 
(d) 
Administer, develop and maintain military memorials and battle 
918 
monuments proclaimed as national shrines; and 
919 
(e) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
920 
SEC. 98. Organization. —  The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office shall be headed 
921 
by an Administrator who may be assisted by one or more Deputy 
922 
Administrators, all of whom shall be appointed by the President upon the 
923 
recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense. It shall have such 
924 
staff and other operating units as may be prescribed by the Secretary of 
925 
National Defense. 
926 


FINAL PROVISIONS 
927 
SEC. 99. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —  The DND shall formulate the 
928 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for proper implementation of 
929 
this Act within twelve  (12) months from the effectivity hereof. The said 
930 
rules and regulations shall be approved by the President of the Philippines. 
931 
SEC. 100. Appropriations. —  The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
932 
this Act is hereby appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the 
933 
year following its enactment into law. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
934 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual 
935 
General Appropriations Act. 
936 
SEC. 101. Separability Clause. —  If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid 
937 
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
938 
force and effect. 
939 
SEC. 102. Repealing  Clause. —  All laws, Executive Orders, Presidential Decrees, 
940 
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are deemed modified and 
941 
repealed accordingly.  All affected provisions of existing laws are deemed 
942 
effective until such promulgation of the IRR. 
943 
SEC. 103. Effectivity Clause. —  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its 
944 
complete publication in the  Official Gazette  or in at least  two  (2) 
945 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes first. 
946 
Approved,  
947