HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
RECEIVED
pave, 03 AUG 2016

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila |

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

a

HOUSE BILL NO. 2467

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, so it has been said.

A vigilant people, however, is a prepared people, for there is no
sense in being a watchful people absent the wherewithal that give force
and substance to such vigilance.

Recent developments have given the nation pause to reflect upon
its abolition of the mandatory nature of the Reserve Officers Training
Corps (ROTC). The scene of Filipinos being bullied by a foreign power
within their own country’s territorial waters and the continuing failure to
stamp out sheer banditry by the Abu Sayyaf have forced the issue of re-
examining the merits of making the ROTC as an optional course.

Without a doubt, there will be those who, for various reasons,
would remain vocal in their opposition to the restoration of mandatory
ROTC training. To them, we respond with Thomas Paine’s admonition
that “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men,
undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

This bill seeks to revive the mandatory ROTC training in the
tertiary level in the earnest belief that it is to the best interest of the State.

The early approval of this bill is therefore respectfully requested.

— mg)
LUCY TORRES‘GOMEZ
Representative

Fourth District of Leyte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2467

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
REINSTATING THE RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS
(ROTC) AS A MANDATORY COURSE OR SUBJECT FOR
STUDENTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES,
COLLEGES AND SIMILAR POST-SECONDARY LEARNING
INSTITUTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - The prime duty of the
Government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may call
upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all
citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render

personal military or civil service.

SEC. 2. Coverage. - The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
shall be a mandatory course or subject for students enrolled in all public
or private universities, colleges and similar post-secondary learning

institutions. Compliance thereto shall be a prerequisite for graduation.

SEC. 3. Curriculum or Program Instruction — The program of

instruction for the ROTC shall be that as provided under Section 39 of


Republic Act No. 7077 (Citizen Armed Force Or Armed Forces of the

Philippines Reservist Act) which is hereby revived.

SEC. 4. Persons Disqualified or Exempt From This Act. —

(a). Students who are physically or psychologically unfit, as
certified by the medical personnel of the educational institution
concerned or by a medical officer of the Department of National Defense
(DND);

(b). Students who have undergone or are undergoing similar
military training, duly recognized by the government as adequate to
qualify the trainees as reservists in the military:

(c). Students who are active members of the AFP and the PNP;

(d) Students who may be so exempted or disqualified by the DND

for other valid reasons.

SEC. 5. Funding. — The funds necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged to the current appropriations of the Department
of National Defense (DND). Thereafter, such amount as may be
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual

budget of the DND.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of
National Defense, in coordination with the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) and the Technical Skills and Development Authority
(TESDA) shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the

provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause, — Pertinent provisions of Republic Act

No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program


Act of 2001” are hereby repealed. All other laws, executive orders,
decrees, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or modified

accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication either in the Official Gazette or in any two (2)

newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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