THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
First Regular Session 
Republic of the Philippines 
I 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Luisa “Loi” P. Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tlie highly delicate and sensitive fhctions of the Chief of Staff of the armed 
forces demand judicious appointment to said post, on the part of the President, of a 
qualified officer, with exemplary leadership qualities, exceptional intellectual capabilities 
and outstanding military expertise. 
Tlie Constitution, R.A. No. 291, a.k.a. the “Armed Forces Officer Personnel Act,“ 
and other appropriate laws already provide for qualifications for such position. However, 
these laws are silent as to the minimum Iength of service for such tour of duty, while 
providing a maximuin period of three years. 
As a result, the President is given discretion to make appointment albeit the same 
is only for a very limited period, such as what has been happening lately, where the 
current Chief of Staff, for instance, is mandated to serve for only three months. 
While this may not have any repercussion at face value, it may have serious 
implications anent the successfd implementation of various programs of the AFP. For 
certainly, these programs could be disrupted, hampered and even worse, possibly 
abandoned by a swift and sudden change of command. 
Coiisidering the present campaign of the AFP against insurgency and terrorism 
and its apparent thrust towards civil military operations, it is significant to ensure that 
there is smooth continuity and institutionalization of adopted programs and strategies to 
realize its objectives. 
Hence, the proposed measure seeks to prohibit appointment of an officer as Chief 
of Staff of the Anned Forces when said officer has less than a year remaining in the 
active service. 
Iinmediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
CTTO ESTRADA 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
f a  (59 
S.B.No. 
x. 
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r . 
-+ 
Introduced by Senator Luisa "Loi" P. Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION NINE (9) OF REPUBLIC ACT TWO HUNDRED NINETY- 
ONE (291) SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO OFFICER SHALL BE APPOINTED 
CHIEF OF STAFF IF SAID OFFICER HAS LESS THAN A YEAR REMAINING IN 
THE ACTIVE SERVICE 
Be it etzactecl l7v the Senate nncl the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
congress m9?J7ihkd: 
SECTION 1. Amendment. - Paragraph (b) of Section nine (9) of Republic Act 
Numbered Two hundred and ninety-one (291) is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 9. 
Promotion to grade of inajor general and lieutenant general. - 
(b) The officer designated as Chief of Staff shall hold office for a term of three 
years, unless sooner terminated by the President; PROVIDED THAT NO 
OFFICER SHALL BE APPOINTED AS CHIEF OF STAFF IF SAID OFFICER 
HAS LESS THAN A YEAR REMAINING IN THE ACTIVE SERVICE." 
SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to. 
Sec. 4. Effectivitv Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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