REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

3143

House Bill No

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry L. Ridon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The objective of this bill is to abolish the Re:
(ROTC) in universities and colleges, both public and private, and expand the
social and civic service programs under the National Service
(NSTP). Additional proposed pro

ve Officers Training Corps

aining Program
ms under the NSTP are the following:

1. Comprehensive Community Service Program

2. Community Based Health and Nutrition Program

3. Community Immersion Program

5. Ecological Services Program

6. Human Rights

Education and Advocacy Pr

gram

From Mandatory ROTC to NSTP

The ROT ablished_ pur:

Ss

want to RA 7077 for the purpose of
providing a strong civilian base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) in the event of war, invasion and rebellion. The program made
it compulsory for male students in colleges and universities to undergo two (2)
years of military training,

Years after its implementation, ROTC was proven irrelevant in fostering
discipline, social responsibility, and patriotism in the youth. It became a hotbed
for abuses including corruption, bribery, extortion, collection of unauthorized
and excessive fees, and physical and verbal violence. It became nothing but a
burden to students.



In 2001, the brutal murder of University of Santo Tomas student Mark
Welson Chua became a catalyst for a broad movement to abolish the ROTC
program in schools. Chua’s death was linked to his exposition of the corruption
in the UST Corps. The clamor to remove the ROTC program in tertiary schools
resulted in the creation of the NSTP by virtue of Republic Act 9163 promulgated
on 23 January 2002. The NSTP offered civilian programs for men and women
alongside ROTC which in turn was made optional.

Amid the proposals in Congress to reinstate mandatory ROTC, Kabataan
Party-list forwards the opposite and secks to completely remove ROTC from the
NSTP.

Military must keep out of campuses

ROTC aims to provide military training to students for national defense
under the tutelage of the Department of National Defense and taught by
soldiers. Mandatory ROTC advocates cite the impasse in the West Philippine
Sea as justification for the program's reinstatement in colleges and universities.
While the Philippine Constitution asserts that the people are duty-bound to
defend the State, providing military training, institutional or material support,
should not be the responsibility of civilian educational institutions. Using
campuses for military training and, for some campuses the provision of a
barracks, is inconsistent with Rules 22-24 of the International Humanitarian
Law and other treaties which restrict the use of schools for military purposes. It
is also inconsistent with Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children
Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act which states “public
infrastructure such as schools Js and rural health units shall not be
utilized for military purposes su
and supply depots.”

‘The military culture propagated by the ROTC is inconsistent with
academic freedom. School are places for opening minds to new ideas, critical
and independent thinking. The school is a venue for interaction among people
of different background, status, beliefs, and the exchange of ideas. Military
training imposes strict obedience to authority and hierarchy; it prescribes that
critical thinking must be subordinate to the chain of command. Allowing
military training within the campus imposes the military world view in
institutions where students are required to be intellectually engaged and
politically diverse.

The ROTC fosters a militarist culture detrimental to the development of
the youth. It perpetrates corruption and political patronage, sexism and
machismo, the culture of violence and human rights violation, and ideological
bigotry.

Students experience their first exposure to corrupt practices under the
ROTC where physical comforts and passing grades are given in exchange for
cash and other favors (i.c. bottles of alcohol, reams of cigarettes, car rides etc.)

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Under the mandatory ROTC, reports of physical and psychological abuse
had been far too common. Officers humiliate, brutalize, and even maim cadets
in the guise of ‘training’ is nothing short of the violation of basic human rights.
These violent practices are deeply ingrained and identified with the ROTC and
the military that up until now, it is still justifiable to fear for the welfare of
present and future ROTC students.

Likewise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) uses the ROTC
program as an extension of their counter-insurgency campaign through its red

baiting campaign against progressive student groups. In many ROTC lectures,
soldier-instructors tagged student activist groups as affiliated with the New
People's Army, thereby justifying state-sanctioned acts of terror against
dissenters. It has also been reported that AFP uses the program to establish the
Student Intelligence Network (SIN) to monitor organizations, fraternities,
student councils and school publications critical of government policies. It has
been documented that ROTC Cadets were required to draw up a list of students
involved in political activities and create dossiers that may include contact
details, class schedules and home addresses. This creates an atmosphere of
fear among students to participate in legitimate activities that are critical of the
government. It is worth noting that there are many documented cases of human
rights violations perpetrated against student leaders that have been linked to
the military.

The ROTC is a bastion of machismo and scxism in campuses.
Homophobic slurs and physical abuse to induce manliness’ are common in
training sessions. Up until now, there are reports that openly gay students
enrolled in ROTC are deliberately being ostracized by being given menial tasks
such as serving snacks or cheering for other cadets. Some conservative sections
of society even promote mandatory ROTC as a “cure for being gay.”

Advocates of the ROTC equate the bearing of arms and marching under
the heat and being shouted at to nationalism, patriotism and discipline. This
imposition of unnecessary and arguably undeserved reverence for the military
culture is disturbing and potentially dangerous, especially in institutions of
learning where civilian rule is supreme

Internationally, military conscription and ROTC are associated with
military allies of the United States of America. Ironically, ROTC is not required
in school and campuses in the US, and have been shunned by many leading
American colleges and universities including Ivy League schools due to the
broad anti-war and anti-violence stance of educational institutions.

The Need for Expanding the Civic Service component of NSTP

What we need as a nation today is not an army of young men and women
trained in the ways of the military but an army of volunteers and advocates
ready to serve and uphold the needs of their communi
whole. In the present state of affair

es and the nation as a
. the youth needs to defend the nation first

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and foremost from threats of illiteracy and political and social apathy, and the
perpetuation of soci:
progress.

I inequities that continue to obstruct genuine national

The creation of the NSTP in 2001 has opened a better path for socio-civic
involvement of the youth. Indeed, for over a decade now, the NSTP has
empowered students to serve their communities in a more holistic manner,
sans the violence and bigotry attributed to the ROTC. However, the current
program offering of the NSTP is arguably limited ~ and there is an urgent need
for Congress to expand its mandate. With the expansion of the NSTP, students
will be able to render services in a more varied manner and increase the
potential of students of finding their lifetime advocacy in the process. In
providing more avenues for civic service, the government can truly foster among
the youth patriotism, nationalism and selfle shrined in
the Constitution.

serv

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3143

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry L. Ridon

AN ACT

ABOLISHING THE RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS AND STRENGTHENING
THE SOCIAL AND CIVIC SERVICE COMPONENTS OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE
TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL SOCIAL
AND CIVIC SERVICE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS BY AMENDING AND
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF REPUBLIC ACT 9163 OR THE NATIONAL SERVICE
TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP) ACT OF 2001

Be it enacted by the Senate and the
Assembled

Jouse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

SECTION 1.Short Title— This act shall be known as the “NSTP Reform Act of 2013”

SECTION 2.Abolition of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). ~ The Reserve

Officers Training Corps ere:

d pursuant to Re;

lic Act No. 7077 is hereby abolished.

SECTION 3.

jon 2 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - [Recognizing the youth’s virtual role in nation

building, then state shall promote civic consciousness among the youth and shall

develop their physical moral, spiritual intellectual and social well-being.

It shall inculcate to the youth patriotism, nation:

m and advance. their

involvement in public and civic

irs. In pursuit of this goals the youth the most

valuable resource of the national shall motivate trained organized and mobilized in

military training, literacy civic welfare and other simi deavors in the service of

nation.

SECTION 4.

‘ction 3 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as
follow


esa

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Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of th

1, the following are hereby

defined as follows:

(a)'National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a CIVILIAN program aimed at
enhancing civic AND SOCIAL consciousness [and defense] AND DISASTER

preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism while
undergoing training in any of its program components. Its various components
arespecially designed to enhance the youth's active contribution to the general

welfare;

(b) [Reserve Officer Traming Comps” (ROTC)— is program institutionalized under

Section 38 and 39 of RA No. 7077 designed to provide military training to tertiary

level students in order to motivate, train, organized and mobilize them for national
defense preparedness. "COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM” IS A
CIVILIAN PROGRAM I D TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN BASIC SERVICES IN A
SPECIFIC COMMUNITY WHICH MAY INCLUDE PL:

REE PLANTING, STREET

‘SIGN

NNED AND SYSTEMATIC
YASTIE SEGREGATION, TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES.

(c} “Literacy Training Service” is a CIVILIAN program de

ned to train students TO

CONDUCT LITERACY TRAINING, LIVELIHOOD TRAINING AND OTHERSIMILAR
TRAININGS WITH THE BASIC SECTORS, ESPECIALLY THE URBANPOOR,
WORKERS, FARMERS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, FISHER FOLK, WOMENAND
CHILDR!

(@) “COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM" IS A.
CIVILIANPROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN HEALTH AND.
NUTRITIONEDUCATION IN SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES;

(e) “COMMUNITY IMMERSION PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM DE
TOSTRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF
THROUGHEXPOSURE AND IMMERSION AMONG THE BASIC SECTORS, SUCH AS.
THERURAL AND URBAN POOR COMMUNITIES, TRADE UNIONS, PEASANTS,
FISHERFOLK, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AMONG OTHERS;

{) “DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM” IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM DESIGNED
TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN DIS ION AND PREPAREDNESS IN
THEEVENT OF FLOODS, EARTHQUAKES, FIRE AND OTHER NATURAL AND MAN-
MADE CALAMITIES, RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS, MEDICAL
ANDHUMANITARIAN MISSIONS, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITI

ES;


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{g) “ECOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM DESIGNED TO
TRAIN STUDENTS IN ENVIRONM
AWARENESSACTIVITIES, AMONG OTHERS:

NTAL PROTECTION AND.

(h) “HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY” IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM
DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE CIVIL, POLITICAL,
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, DOCUMENTATION, FACT
FINDING MISSIONS, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES;

SECTION 5.Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

Section 4. Establishment of the National Service Training Program. — There is
hereby established a National Service Training Program, which shall form part of

the curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses

and of at least two (2)-year
technical vocational courses and is a requisite for graduation consisting of the

following service components:

(i)[The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) which is hereby made optional and
voluntary upon the effectivity of this Act] THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY
SERVICE PROGRAM

(2)The Litera

ining Service;

(3)THE COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM

(4)THE COMMUNITY IMMERSION PROGRAM

(5)THE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

(6)THE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM

(7)THE HUMAN RIGHTS

EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM; AND

(8) OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS THAT THE SCHOOL, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THESCHOOL'S STUDENT COUNCILS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MAY
IMPLEMENT

[The ROTC under the NSTP shall instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for rights

of civilians, and adherence to the Constitution, among others.| Citizenship AND


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follows:

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS trai
PROGRAM COMPONENTS.

ig shall be given emphasis in ALL THE NSTP

[The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority (TESDAJ, in consultation wi

h the Department of National
Defense (PND), Philippine Association of State Universitie:

and College

s (PASUC),

Coordinating Council of Private Educ:

fonal Associations of the Philippines
(COCOPEA) and other con

med government agencies, may design and implement
such other program components as may be necessary in consonance with the

provisions of this Act.|

THE SCHOOL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SCHOOL’S STUDENT COUNCILS,
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED) AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (TESDA), MAY DESIGNAND IMPLEMENT SUCH OTHER PROGRAM
COMPONENTS AS MAY BE ARY INCONSONANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS ACT.

SECTION 6. Scction 6 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

ction 6.x xx

In lieu of the two-semester program for any of the components of the NSTP a one
(2) summer prog:

and TESDA.

am may be designed formulated and adopted by the [DND,] CHED

SECTION 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

All

higher and technical and vocational institutions, public and private, must offer at

ion 7. NSTP Offering in Higher and Technical Educational: Institution:

least TWO of the program components|,provided that state universities and colleges
shall offer the ROTC components and at least one other component as education

institution may ROTC if they have at least three hundred and fifty (350) cadets

students] enumerated in thi:

In offering the NSTP whether during the semestral or summer periods, clustering of

affected students from different educational institutions may be done, taking into

account logistics, branch of service and geographical considerations

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Schools that do not meet the required number of students to maintain (the optional
ROTC and] any of the NSTP components shail allow their students to cross enroll
to other schools [irrespective of whether or not the NSTP components in said
schools are being administered by the same or another branch of service in the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), CHED and TESDA to which schools are
identified

ASTUL

1. HAVE

ILE PO!
SHE SHALL TAKE. IN NO CASE SHALL THE
IN THEIR CHOIC!

R TO CHOOSE THE PROGRAM HE OR
CHOOL RESTRICT THE STUDENTS
& OF PROGRAMS BY REASON OF LIM!

ONS IN SLOTS.

SECTION 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

‘Section 8. Fees and Incentives

Higher and technical vocational institutions shall
not collect any fee for any of the Ni

P components except basic tuition fees, which
shall not be more than fifty percent (50%) of what is ¢

ntly charged by schools
per unit

{In the case of ROTC, the DND shall formulate and adopt a program of assistance

and/or incentive to those students who will take the said component.

‘The school authorities conc

ned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure that group
insurance for health

the NSTP

nd accident sI

be provided for students enrolled in any of

nts.”

pone

SECTION 9. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended 10 read as

follows:

Section 10. x xx

The CHED and TESDA regional offices shall oversee and monitor the

implementation of the NSTP under their jurisdiction to determine if the trainings
are being conducted in consonance with the objectives of this Act. Periodic reports

shall be submitted to the CHED, TESDA [and DNDjin this regard

SECTION 10. s

ction 11 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

‘Section 11. Creation of the National Service Reserve Corps - There is hereby created

a National Serv

Reserve Corps, to be composed of the graduates of the [non-
ROTC components] NSTP. Members of this Corps may be tapped

y the State for

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¥y and civic welfare activities through the joint effort of the [DND] CHED and
TESDA, AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES.|Graduates of the ROTC shall form part of the

Citizens’ Armed Force, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077.

SECTION 11./mplementing Rules— The Commission on Higher Education shall
have the responsibility of revising the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act

No, 9163 in order to adapt to the amendments provided for by this Act. It shall consult

with other concerned government agencies, student councils and organizations, non

government and other people's organizations, and school associations in drafting the

SECTION 12.Personnel. - ROTC personnel shall be deemed separated from the
service and shall receive the retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under

existing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 13.Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of

this Actshall be incorporated in the Annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 14.Separability Clause. ~ If any section or provision of this Act shall be

declared unconstitutional, the remaining sections or provisions shall not be affected

thereby

SECTION 15.Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, exe

utive orders,

letters of instruction, rules ent with any of the

nd_regulations which are incons

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 16./:/fectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general

circulation and shall be implemented in schools on the semesti

r immediately succeeding
the effectivity

Approved,

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