EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E
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*19 AUG 27 P2 56
RECtIVLD UY:
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS POWER 
AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The archipelagic makeup of the Philippines necessitates the need for a 
comprehensive yet rapidly deployable amphibious force primarily mandated to 
conduct both seaborne and on-shore tactical operations to protect the country's 
territories, communities, and inhabitants. Duty requires that this group shall be 
competent in responding to extraordinary exigencies and developing multinational 
cooperation and engagements to preserve peace and order within the country.
Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Orders Nr. 319, s. 
1950, the Philippine Marine Corps was initially established to extinguish insurgent 
threats in the post-war decade. Beyond successfully accomplishing their missions, the 
Philippine Marine Corps remain steadfast to the call of duty being instrumental in 
improving the welfare of all Filipinos and protecting the stability of the country.
Philippine history is replete with significant campaigns executed by the 
Philippine Marine Corps; During the 1960s, the Marines spearheaded the conduct of 
strategic maneuvers against the HUKBALAHAP. In the following decade, the Marines 
were in most parts of Luzon neutralizing communist-terrorists. While in the 1980s, the 
group skillfully maintained order despite the country's political turmoil. The Marines 
also curtailed the lawlessness of extremist groups in Mindanao from 1990s to 2000s. 
At present, the Philippine Marine Corps are not only challenged by growing criminality, 
but are also tested by worsening natural disasters that harm the people in the same 
manner.


The Philippine Marine Corps might be few but they remain proud and always 
faithful in their sworn honored duty to the country. While the Constitution mandates 
that there be an Army, an Air Force and a Navy in the AFP, the Philippine Marine 
Corps, since its establishment, remains an integral part of the nation's psyche-a force 
in readiness.
Despite the lack of a charter, the Philippine Marines Corps has provided 
seamless transition of military power between sea and land domains. It is clear that 
the Marines will be empowered to further perform their duty with the proper legislation 
to provide such mandate.
Hence, this bill seeks to provide a Charter that would institutionalize the 
Philippine Marines Corps-a branch of service distinct, autonomous, and yet 
complementary to the Army, Air Force and Navy under the AFP-and, in the process, 
generate an initiative to guarantee peace, safety, and order of the entire Philippines.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
s. B. No. 953
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•19 AUG 27 P2 57
RECelVr
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS POWER 
AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Marine Corps
Act'.
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  In accordance with Article II, Section 3 of the 
Constitution which mandates the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, and 
Article XVI, Section 4 of the same which provides, "the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
("AFP") shall be composed of a citizen armed force that shall undergo military training 
and serve, as may be provided by law", it is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
maintain, organize, and enhance the AFP for the continuing development of national 
defense to maintain peace and order.
Sec. 3. Establishment -  The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), 
is hereby 
established as an armed uniformed service, amphibious in character; distinct, 
autonomous, but complementary to the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, as an 
independent branch of service of the AFP.
The PMC shall include ground combat, combat support, combat service support, 
aviation component, and such other units as may be necessary for the pursuit of its 
mandate


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Sec. 4. Powers and Functions. -  The PMC shall have the following powers and
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functions:
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(a) 
To conduct combined arms operations in the littoral battle space and beyond
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under the AFP;
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(b) To coordinate with the other branches of service in developing various phases
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of amphibious operations, which pertain to the tactics, techniques, and
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procedures with the necessary equipment employed by landing forces and that
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of a joint maneuver force;
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(c) 
To organize, train, equip, maintain, develop, deploy, and supervise the PMC
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Reserve Force (PMCRF) for the purpose of assisting the PMC in carrying out its
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functions;
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(d) To formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures,
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strategies, tactics, and techniques for operations peculiar to the Marines;
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(e) 
To develop its capabilities for seaborne maneuvers; sustain maneuver ashore;
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and multinational cooperation and engagement that is amphibious in character,
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multi-role in nature, a seaborne arms force with on-shore defense capability
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possessing combined arms with supporting air components ensuring its
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capability and effectiveness as a major combatant in the protection of the
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islands of the Philippine Archipelago;
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(f) 
To deploy such forces necessary for strategic defense under the Joint Defense
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Force and for employment of operational commands;
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(g) To deploy forces for disaster response, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the
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AFP;
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(h) To deploy forces in support to the law enforcement agencies in the performance
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of their duties and responsibilities in implementing the laws of the land;
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(i) 
To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of
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the objectives of this Act; and
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To determine its requirements which shall be addressed by a fiscal allocation
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and modernization efforts of the Department of National Defense (DND).
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Sec. 5. Philippine Marine Corps Bases and Fadiities. -  To carry out the powers
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and functions of the PMC and the enhancement of its capabilities, three (3) PMC
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Fleadquarters, shall be established—one (1) in Luzon, one (1) in Visayas, and one (1)


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in Mindanao. The PMC Headquarters in Mindanao shall serve as the National
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Headquarters of the PMC. All of the PMC Headquarters shall be in strategic locations
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where it can sustain its deployed forces given both spectrums of war condition. A
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Marine Division may be established to effectively respond to the needs of the
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operational commands based on its distinct characteristics and operating concept, as
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may deem necessary.
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Sec. 6. PMC Commandant -  The Commandant shall head the PMC, and shall
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carry the rank of Lieutenant General. The Commandant shall be directly appointed by
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the President from among its Marine Corps Generals, upon the recommendation of
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the AFP Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary of the DND.
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Sec. 7. Creation o f the Marine Reserve Component -  The PMC shall maintain,
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supervise, develop and train the PMC Reservists as a reserve force under the direct
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control and supervision of the PMC Commandant and shall assist the PMC in the
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conduct of efforts on force development as a whole.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Commandant of the PMC
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shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act, as well as
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the provision of acts, decrees, and orders, related to the implementation of the PMC
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functions, to be approved by the President and the Commander-in-Chief, with the
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conformity of the Secretary of DND, and recommendation by the Chief-of-Staff of the
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AFP.
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Sec. 9. Appropriations. -  The PMC Commandant shall immediately prepare the
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necessary guidelines to cover the establishment of the PMC as a service branch of the
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AFP, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's
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appropriations of the PMC and, thereafter, in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 10. Transitory Provisions. -  The incumbent two-star officer. Major General,
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shall be the Acting PMC Commandant, pending the appointment by the President.
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Likewise, the existing organizational structure of the PMC shall be followed until new
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rules and regulations have been promulgated, and approved by the President.
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Further, this Act shall not diminish, reduce, or remove the existing benefits and
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privileges of PMC personnel under existing laws, rules, and regulations.


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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is
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subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
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orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
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which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,