The proposed legislation which seeks to provide a fixed term for key officers of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) will likely be enacted into law by President Duterte before he leaves his office in June, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
“I think so, within the term of the President,” Lorenzana told reporters when asked about the matter.
In January 2022, the Senate adopted House Bill No. 10521 which prescribes a three-year fixed term for the AFP chief of staff, vice chief of staff, deputy chief of staff; Philippine Army’s commanding general; Philippine Air Force’s commanding general; Philippine Navy’s flag officer in command; unified commanders; and the inspector general.
With Senate’s adoption, the measure was directly transmitted to Malacanang for Duterte’s signing instead of being subjected to a bicameral conference committee meeting.
However, there is no definite date yet when the proposed bill will actually be signed by the Commander-in-Chief.
Once passed into law, the fixed term for AFP chief and other key officers will “bring stability in the military leadership” since the revolving door in the military will be avoided, said Lorenzana.
The term revolving door is characterized by frequent succession of personnel, or a cycle of leaving and returning in a short period of time. It is seen as a tool that allows for political patronage and accommodation promotion which favors personalities over the defense and security of a nation.
“Hindi panay ang palit ng palit (We won’t have to change the leaders too often). It gives the leaders, the commanders to stay in one position for at least three years to do what needs to be done,” Lorenzana said.
But Lorenzana said the bill will not affect the term of current AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino.
“He is covered by the previous law. If the new law is signed by the President, it was written there that it would be effective on July 1st. All of those appointed before July 1st will serve in accordance with the old law. All of those who will be appointed after July 1st will be affected by the new law,” he explained.
Under the old law, all military officials are to serve until the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old.
Centino, the 57th AFP Chief, will reach the current mandatory retirement age on Feb. 4, 2023. He is the 11th military chief under the Duterte administration or since June 2016, matching former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s record in her nine years in office with 11 AFP chiefs.