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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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•22 DEC-7 A9 35
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1603
Rl-CEiVEDBY.
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11709 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "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,", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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
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


requirement, capabilities, scope of responsibility, technical nature of the position 
and task;
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.
:guel f. zubir;


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1603
Jennie
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*22 DEC-7 A 9 35
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11709 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "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," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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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 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:


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(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 IF THE OFFICER 
HAS LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR OF ACTIVE SERVICE REMAINING PRIOR 
TO COMPULSORY RETIREMENT, 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) Xxx
(2) Those in the grades of Brigadier General/Commodore (0-7) upon reaching the
age of FIFTY-SEVEN (57); MAJOR GENERAL/REAR ADMIRAL (0-8) UPON 
REACHING THE AGE OF FIFTY-EIGHT (58); LIEUTENANT GENERAL/VICE 
ADMIRAL (09) 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. XXX
(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:


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Grade
Maximum
Tenure-in-Grade
Colonel/Captain (PN)
(0-6)
[Eight (8)] NINE (9) 
years
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN) 
(0-5)
Seven (7) years
Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN) 
(0-4)
Six (6) years
Captain/Lieutenant (PN) 
______________(0:3)______________
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: 
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE MAXIMUM TENURE-IN-GRADE HEREIN 
PRESCRIBED FOR THE GRADE OF COLON EL/CAPTAIN (PN) SHALL APPLY 
TO THOSE PROMOTED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11709.
XXX
SEC. 5. Section 11, subsection (b) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as:
SEC. 11. Forced Attrition of Enlisted Personnel
(a) Xxx
(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
________________ ______________________
[Four (4) years]


[Private First Class 
(E-2)]
[Four (4) years]
[Private
________________ ______________________
[Four (4) years]
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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 (S).l°/o) 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


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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, finaiiy. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,