Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No, 224

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sergeant Major serves a very vital
purpose in the AFP chain of command ~ he is the most important adviser to the Chief
of Staff on matters concerning the discipline and morale of the troops.

‘Thus, this bill recognizes the need to make the position of Sergeant Major of
the AFP distinct in order to dignify his role as the model of morale and discipline. To
ensure that his authority and responsibility are distinct, and that a commensurate
privilege is bestowed upon his position, it is imperative that he has a higher pay grade
rank than the other Sergeant Majors of subordinate commands of the AFP.

This bill proposes to create the rank of First Chief Master Sergeant/First
Master Chief Petty Officer (E-10) for the enlisted personnel with the highest rank
both in position and grade ~ the AFP Command Sergeant Major.

Aside from the abovestated aim, it is important to note, too, that this bill will
rationalize the pay grade of both the officers corps and the enlisted personnel because,
while the officers have ten (10) pay grades from Second Lieutenanv/Ensign (O-1) to
General/Admiral (O-10), the enlisted personnel only has nine (9) from Private (B-1)
to Chief Master SergeanMaster Chief Petty Officer (E-9). This bill will therefore
translate to an equal number of ranks to which a soldier may aspire for promotion.

Rt IO dats B. A.

Representative
Lone District of Muntinlupa

Passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 224

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

AN ACT
CREATING THE RANK OF FIRST CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT/FIRST
MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER IN THE ENLISTED RANKS OF THE
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Declaration of Policy. - it is the policy of the State to continuously
develop a professional Armed Forces. In pursuit thereof, career development and
promotion systems shall be established to ensure a career progression of all personnel of
Armed Forces of the Philippines and to provide them with appropriate career
motivations.

SEC. 2, Creation and Distribution of New Rank. - The grade of First Chief
Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty Officer (E-10) is hereby created as a component
part of the non-commissioned grades of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and which
shall be held by the AFP Command Sergeant Major.

SEC. 3. Selection of AFP Command Sergeant Major. - The AFP Command
Sergeant Major shall be selected from among the Chief Master Sergeants/Master Chief
Petty Officers under such rules and regulations that the Chief of Staff, AFP, may
prescribe; Provided, that unless sooner terminated by the Chief of Staff, AFP, the AFP
‘Command Sergeant Major shall serve for a maximum term of three (3) years.

SEC. 4, Compensation. — A First Chief Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty
Officer shall receive a monthly base pay equivalent to the monthly base pay of a Chief
Master Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer plus one-half (1/2) of the difference between
the monthly base pays of a Second Lieutenant/Ensign (O-1) and a Chief Master
Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). The computation of their quarters allowance
shall also be based on the same scheme.


SEC. 5. Retirement and Separation. ~ The enlisted personnel who attains the
rank of First Chief Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty Officer shall, upon
retirement, be entitled to the retirement pay and benefits of a Captain/Lieutenant Senior
Grade (0-3); Provided, That he may opt to receive a monthly retirement pay, in lieu of
gratuity, the computation of which shall be based on the same scheme; Provided
Furthermore, That upon his retiement, he shall be entitled at this option to receive in
advance his lump sum annual retirement pay payable in equal monthly installments as
they accrue; Provided, finally, That if he dies within the three-year period following his
retirement and is survived by beneficiaries as defined in Presidential Decree No. 1638,
the latter shall only receive the derivative benefits thereunder starting the first month after
the aforecited three-year period.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the Department of
National Defense under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums
as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Secretary of National
Defense shall, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause, - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars and
memoranda inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days upon
approval.

Approved,