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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES VED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE: _ 95 Ji

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Quezon City Tie: 24 pp
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ex Fire

First Regular Session ~
ei 142 j REGISTRATION UNIT
House Bill No. _2 | BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C, ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Last year, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III finally affixed his signature on the Revised
‘Armed Forces Modernization Program to extend the 15-year old measure, which aims to
modernize all branches of the AFP. However, despite the laudable action, the law, as amended, is
in need of at least one relevant and urgent arnendment.

‘Among the major obstruction, which has thwarted the full implementation of the law, is the
highly tedious and circuitous procurement process of the AFP. This has consequently resulted to
the lengthy and protracted acquisition of the AFP’s weaponry and artillery. Indeed, in the early
years of the implementation of the extended AFP Modernization Program, AFP and defense
officials cited lack of funds and the cumbersome procurement process as among the reasons for
the AFP's failure to acquire equipment.

One of the possible roadblocks to the acquisition of necessary armament and equipment is the
provision in the AFP modernization law that no major equipment and/or weapons system shall
be purchased if the same are not being used by the armed forces in the country of origin or used
by the armed forces of at least two countries.

‘This bill seeks to amend and relax the aforementioned provision by allowing the purchase of
major equipment and/or weapons system so long as the same are being used by the armed forces
in the country of origin or by the armed forces of another country.

It is hoped that by relaxing said requirement in the acquisition of quality and modem equipment
and weapons system, the acquisition process of the AFP can be unclogged, thereby hastening the
implementation of the law.

‘A similar bill was filed and adopted on third reading by the Senate during the 15" Congress but
failed to get the nod of the bicameral conference committee. It is hoped that during this
Congress, a compromise could be arrived at and this bill could be finally enacted into law for the
benefit of our armed forces and of our country.

IN. GARW C. ALEJANO


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 1142

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 4(B) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7898, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS.
THE AFP MODERNIZATION ACT, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO, 10349,
ESTABLISHING THE “REVISED AFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM”, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 4(b) of Republic Act No. 7898, otherwise known as the AFP
Modernization Act, as amended by Republic Act No, 10349, establishing the “Revised AFP

Modernization Program” is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“(b) Capability, material, and technology development. — the AFP
modernization program entails the development and employment of certain
capabilities that can address the assessed threats: Provided, That the acquisition of
air force, navy and army equipment and material of such types and quantities shall
be made in accordance with the need to develop AFP capabilities pursuant to its
modernization objectives: Provided, further, That the acquisition of new
equipment and weapons systems, shall be synchronized with the phase-out of
uneconomical and obsolete major equipment and weapons systems in the AFP
inventory: Provided, even further, That no major equipment and weapons system
shall be purchased if the same are not being used by the armed forces OF [in] the
country of origin or used by the armed forces of [at least two countries]
ANOTHER COUNTRY: Provided, furthermore, That only offers from suppliers

who are themselves the manufacturers shall be entertained: Provided, finally, That


no supply contract shall be entered into unless such contract provides for, in clear

and unambiguous terms, fan] after-sales services and availability of spare parts.

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause, - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations

inconsistent with or contrary to this Act are hereby deemed accordingly repealed or amended.

SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,