THI 
NTH 
First Regular Session 
THE 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
After more than two (2) decades the National Defense College of the Philippines 
to provide for continuing and intensive studies relative to 
(NDCP) 
national defense and security to qualified military leaders and civilian executives. 
continues 
To strengthen its mandate and mission, this bill seeks to transform the NDCP to 
university status to be known as National Defense University of the Philippines 
(NDUP). 
The NDUP shall have as its objectives, the development of the skills and 
competence as well as the enhancement of proper attitude and values of its 
students, to be able to formulate and implement national security policies and 
conduct strategic and international studies in support of said policies, For this 
purpose, masterate and doctorate degrees in national security administration shall 
be offered to qualified military officials and civilian executives. 
An organizational set-up with the corresponding personnel, qualifications and 
remuneration shall likewise be established in support of the new mandate. 
Moreover, the NDUP shall be under the general supervision of the Secretary of 
National Defense who shall be responsible for the organization of the university and 
appointment of heads of units and other officials. 
In this regard, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


!. 
T 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
Be it by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
SECTION 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the state to provide advanced 
education in national security administration to outstanding men and women in the 
military as well as key officers in government agencies and the private sectors. 
SEC. 2. Esfablishment of NDUP. In furtherance of the policy enunciated under 
Section 1 , there shall be established in the Philippines an educational, training and 
research institution to be known as the “National Defense University of the Philippines” 
(NDUP). 
SEC. 3. Objectives. As an institution of higher learning, National Defense 
University of the Philippines shall aim to promote, to the highest degree possible, the 
traditional functions of teaching, research and extension. The National Defense 
University of the Philippines shall have as its objectives, the development of the skills 
and competence as well as the enhancement of proper attitude, and values of its 
students so that they can help formulate and implement national security policies. It 
shall also conduct.strategic and international studies in support of, or as basis for, 
national security policies. 


SEC. 4. Function. In order to achieve the objective defined in the preceding 
section, the National Defense University of the Philippines shall: 
A. Conduct academic programs consisting of graduate courses at both masters 
and doctorate level of study and other special courses in the field of national; 
security and administration; 
B. Undertake research and studies program that will enhance the quality and 
effectiveness of national security formulation and management; 
C. Provide an extension program consisting of short courses, seminar workshop, 
policy conferences and public for a on national security issues which may be held 
in various locations n the country to supplement is academic and research studies 
program; 
D. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Secretary of National 
Defense or the President of the Republic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 5. Organizafion. The National Defense University of the Philippines, as an 
academic institution of the Department of National Defense, shall initially be composed 
of the National Defense University of the Philippines, a Center of National Strategic 
Studies, and a Center for Extension Services. Other units may be established by the 
Secretary of the National Defense upon the recommendation of the President of the 
National Defense University of the Philippines in response to particular needs of the 
defense establishment. 
SEC. 6. The President. Under the general direction and supervision of the 
Secretary of National Defense, the National Defense University of the Philippines 'shall 
be headed by a President who shall have full power and authority to administer, 
manage and control its affairs. The President of the National Defense University of the 
Philippines shall be a holder of doctorate degree and preferably with a master's in 
National Security Administration shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines 


upon the recommendation by the Secretary of National Defense.To ensure the widest 
possible area for recruitment and selection, a search committee may be appointed by 
the Secretary of National Defense. This committee may formulate its rules for selection 
and based therefrom shall select and recommend at least three candidates from which 
the Secretary of National Defense may choose to recommend for appointment by the 
President of the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. The Executive Vice-president and other Vice-presidents. The 
President of National Defense University of the Philippines shall be assisted by an 
Executive Vice-president, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, Vice-president for 
Administrative Services and a Vice-president for research and special studies and a 
Vice-president for Extension Activities. 
a. Funcfions. The Executive Vice-president who shall be responsible for Planning 
and development, shall act for the President in his absence and shall perform such 
other functions as may be assigned to him by the President. The Vice-president for 
Academic Affairs shall be responsible for the development, implementation, supervision 
and evaluation of the academic programs; The Vice-president for Administrative 
Service shall be responsible for the over-all administration support to all the activities of 
the 
university; the Vice-president for Research and Special Studies shall direct the 
conduct of research work and special studies; while the Vice-president 
for Extension 
Services shall be responsible for the outreach program and extension activities of the 
National Defense University of the Philippines; 
b. Qualifications. The Executive vice president and all the Vice-presidents shall 
be holders of a doctorate degree and preferably also holders of national security 
administration or equivalent degree. They shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
National Defense. 
SEC. 8. The Dean of the Co 
e and the Directors of the lnstifute and the 
Center. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall be headed by a Dean 


while the Center for National Security Studies and Center for Extension Services, 
respectively, shall each be under a Director. They shall be holders of a doctorate 
degrees and preferably also with a master’s degree in National Security Administration. 
SEC. 9. Term of Office. The President, Executive Vice-president, all Vice- 
Presidents, the Dean of the College and Directors of the institute and the Center shall 
serve for a term of six years without prejudice to one re-appointment for the same 
period. 
SEC. IO. Registrar. National Defense University of the Philippines shall have a 
Registrar who shall be appointed by the Secretary of National Defense upon 
recommendation of the University President. The Registrar shall keep all records of the 
Transcript and related records of students as well as the minutes of academic board 
meetings. 
SEC. 11. Course OHering. The College shall offer graduate degree at 
both1 master and doctorate of study in National Security Administration and 
Development; the Institute shall undertake applied research and strategic and 
international studies; and the Center for Extension Services shall undertake an 
extension and outreach program for promotion of national security consciousness. 
National Defense University of the Philippines shall all conduct such other courses or 
perform such studies as it may deem necessary to carry out its mandate or as directed 
by the Secretary of National Defense or the President of the Philippines. 
SEC. 12. Conferment of Academic and Honorary Degrees. National Defense 
University of the Philippines shall confer graduate degrees upon successful candidates 
for graduation and may award honorary degrees upon persons who have made 
outstanding contributions to or have distinguished themselves in the field of national 
security. 


, National Defense University of 
the Philippines shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Secretary of 
National Defense who shall organize the university and appoint the heads of units and 
other officials with the ranks comparable with those of other graduate colleges or 
universities. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall have such 
personnel as may be necessary to enable this institution to effectively carry out its 
mandate. 
SEC.14. The Academic Board. 
A. Composition. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall have an 
academic board composed of the Vice-president for Academic Affairs as Chairman, the 
Dean of the National Defense University of the Philippines, the Director of the Center 
for National Strategic Studies, the Director of the Center for Extension Services, the 
heads of the academic disciplines of the college, the institute and the center as 
members. The Board may be expanded, at the discretion of the President, to include 
such staff and faculty members as may be determined by him provided the additional 
members shall not exceed twenty. Resource persons may be requested to attend 
academic board meetings to provide information or expertise necessary in making 
appropriate recornmendations/decisions; 
B. Function. The academic Board shall assist the President in the discharge of 
the following functions: 
(1 ) To supervise the academic affairs of the university; 
(2) Responsibility for discipline of students; 
(3) To recommend the courses of study which shall include, but not 
necessarily limited to, all facets and elements of national security 
strategic and international studies; 
(4) To recommend the establishment of professorial chairs in the 
university; and 


(5) To recommend the adoption of admission requirements and the 
conferment of degrees to candidates for graduation for the approval of the 
President. 
Sec. 15. The Board of Visit0 
a. Compositions. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall 
have a Board of Visitors composed of not more than nine members who 
are distinguished alumni of National Defense University of the 
Philippines, captains of industry or members of the academe or 
government officials whose functional and professional expertise span 
the mission and specific curricula of the University and who shall be 
appointed by the Secretary of National Defense for a term of three shall 
serve for a period of three years, the next the first nine members, three 
shall serve for a period of three years, next three for two years and the 
last three for one year. No member of the Board shall serve a total of 
more than nine years; 
6. Meetings. The board shall meet at least once every year to assist the 
National Defense University of the Philippines in the review of the 
curricular 
offering, 
make 
written 
observations 
and 
submit 
recommendations relative to the accomplished of the mission of the 
University. 
C. Honoraria and expenses. The members of the board shall nor received 
any salary but shall, however, be entitled to honoraria and 
reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in 
attendance to meetings as may be determined by the Secretary of 
National Defense. 
SEC. 16. Remuneration. The salary, privileges and other benefits of the 
President, the Vice-president , the Dean of the College and the Directors of the two 


centers shall be comparable to that being received by the president, academic heads, 
faculty and staff of premiere educational institutions in the country; provided that in 
addition to the regular salaries, merit increases and across the board salary 
adjustments and other forms of emoluments and benefits may be given. 
SEC. 17. Exemption from Compensation and Position Classification and 
Civil Service Commission Rules. The President, the Executive vice-president, the 
Vice-Presidents, the college Dean, the institute Director and the members if the faculty 
shall be exempt from the rules and regulations of the office if compensation and position 
classification. Likewise, they shall be exempt from the civil service examination 
regulations as a requisites for appointment. No religious or political affiliation shall be a 
matter of inquiry in the appointment of the officials or employees of the University. 
SEC. 18. Honoraria of Faculfy Members an 
Conslrltanfs. The National 
Defense University of the Philippines shall have a core faculty composed of professors, 
Instructors, lecturers in full time basis. Consultants of the university, on part time basis 
may be drawn from the military and civilian branches of the national government, from 
business and from public and private educational institutions. All academic consultants, 
professors, instructors or lecturers, whether civilian or military personnel, in addition to 
their regular salaries, shall be entitled to receive honorarium or fees as may be fixed by 
the President with the approval of the Secretary of National Defense. 
SEC. 19, Fiscal Autonomy. The National Defense University of the Philippines shall 
enjoy fiscal autonomy. Pursuant to each authority to collect various fees in all academic 
and training courses, it shall be allowed to retain the proceeds of such collection and to 
appropriate the same for the regular expenditure of National Defense University of the 
Philippines subject to government 
accounting rules and regulations. The National 
Defense University of the Philippines may receive in trust, legacies, devises, gifts, 
donations of real and personal property of all kinds and nature and to Administer the 
same for the benefit of the university in accordance with instructions or Directions of the 


donor or in default thereof, as the law on donation may provide. 
SEC. 20. Personnel on Special Studies Details or econdment. Heads of 
bureaus and offices of the national government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer 
upon request of the President of the university, such apparatus or supplies as may be 
needed by the university and to assign employees on detail or secondment, for duty 
therein, when in the judgment of the head of the bureau or office such supplies or 
employees can be spared without serous detriment to the public service. For purpose of 
promotion or other personnel transactions, service in the university either by uninformed 
or civilian personnel shall be counted as part of active service in their mother units. 
SEC. 21. Academic Freedom. National Defense University of the Philippines 
shall enjoy academic freedom. 
SEC. 22. Grant Of Career Executive Service €/jgibi/jty. For purposes of 
Appointment or promotion to key and sensitive positions in the government, graduates 
the doctoral and graduate courses of the National Defense University of the Philippines 
are granted a career executive service officer eligibility, level 3 and 5, respectively and 
preferential consideration andlor credit points in the grade or class of their respective 
positions. This provision on eligibility shall have retroactive effect insofar as it benefits 
holders of a master in national security administration degree from the National Defense 
University of the Philippines. 
SEC. 23. Promotion to General/" 
Rank. For purposes of promotion to the 
rank of brigadier general or flag officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines a master's 
degree in national; security administration shall be a requirement. Nonetheless 
accreditation of equivalent courses taken in foreign schools may be allowed as an 
exemption on case to case upon consultation with the Chief of Staff, AFP and the 
recommendation of NDUP. 


SEC. 24. Grant of Commission To Civilian Graduates. Subject to existing 
Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations, civilian graduates of regular courses from 
National Defense University of the Philippines may be commissioned as officers in the 
Reserve Force, AFP 
with 
the initial rank of lieutenant colonel for those who are 
holders f master’s degree. For holders of Doctorate in National Security Administration, 
the rank of full colonel may be given provided the candidate is at least 42 years old and 
holds the rank equivalent to a department undersecretary. Those who are holders of 
commission in the AFP (Inactive) below the rank of lieutenant colonel shall be promoted 
to lieutenant colonel or full colonel, as the case may be. 
SEC 25. Eligibility and Lists and Authority fo Use WNSA” and “DNSA”AI1 
graduates of the master in national security administration course and doctorate in 
National security administration shall be included in the MNSA and DNSA eligibility list 
and authorized to use with honor the abbreviation “MNSA” after their name while those 
graduating with doctoral degree may use “DNSA”. The eligibility lists shall be published 
periodically by the National Defense University of the Philippines , copy of which shall 
be furnished the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 
SEC. 26. Annual Report. Within thirty (30) days after the opening of the regular 
classes each year, the president of the National Defense University of the Philippines 
shall submit to the Secretary of National Defense, with a copy to the Offices of the 
President of the Philippines and both House of Congress, an annual report containing 
details on the conduct of the preceding classes, progress on the on-going classes, and 
conditions and needs of the university. 
SEC.27. Transfer of Personnel, Equipmenf, Assets and Liabilities. All 
Personnel, records, equipment, appropriations. Assets and liabilities of the National 


Defense University of the Philippines are hereby transferred to the 
University of the Philippines. 
SEC. 28. Campus of NDUP. The National Defense University of the Philippines 
campus shall be located in the Metro Manila. 
SEC. 29. Officer-ln-Charge of the NDUP. The incumbent President of the 
National Defense University of the Philippines shall be the Officer-in-Charge of National 
Defense University of the Philippines pending appointment of its president. 
SEC. 30. Promulgation of Implementing Rules. The Secretary of National 
Defense is hereby empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to effectively 
Implement the objectives and purposes of this act. 
SEC. 31. Initial Appropriations. The amount of one hundred fifty million pesos 
is hereby initially appropriated for the establishment if the National Defense University of 
the Philippines. Thereafter the amount of at least fifty million or such sum or sums as 
may be needed to carry out the provisions of this act shall be appropriated and shall be 
carried generally under the Department of National Defense in the General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEG. 32. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential 
Issuances, rules and regulations or par thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any 
provisions of this act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. If any part or 


provision of this act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to have the force and effect of law. 
SEC. 33. Hfectivity, This act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,