Senator Richard Gordon has lauded the signing into law of the bill prescribing a fixed term for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff to a maximum of three years, saying this would bring stability to the Philippine military.
“We welcome the signing of Senate Bill No. 2376 (into law), because it eliminates the ‘revolving door' policy in the appointment of key AFP officials, which was done not through merit but through patronage politics or ‘palakasan’,” Gordon said in a statement in light of President Duterte's signing of Republic Act No. 11709.
“Umaasa kami sa pamamagitan ng bagong batas na ito ay mas mapapalawig ang mga pagpipilian ng Pangulo sa pinaka-kwalipikado, at hindi sa mga paretiro lamang (I hope that through this law, the President of the country can expand his choices for the most qualified AFP chief and not just on those who are just about to retire),” the senator added.
Gordon, one of the primary authors and principal sponsor of the bill that President Duterte has signed into law as Republic Act No. have repeatedly stressed the need for continuity and stability in the AFP leadership for the sake of the country’s defense and security.
During the hearings on the proposed law, Gordon lamented that the average term of the AFP Chiefs of Staff have lasted for just about a year, which is way short of Southeast Asian neighbors.
The new law will now limit fixed three-year terms as well to the vice chief of staff; deputy chief of staff; major service commanders of the Philippine Army, Navy, and Air Force; unified command commanders, and inspector general
The new law also increased the compulsory retirement age from 56 to 59 years old, or an accumulation of 30 years in active service, whichever comes earlier for personnel ranked between second lieutenant to colonel.
But for those assigned to a sensitive or key position, retirement shall come into effect upon completion of a fixed three-year tour of duty unless they go up the ladder within the AFP Table of Organization.
Gordon said he hopes that incoming Chiefs of Staff would now be more focused on instituting key programs ahead of their appointments with the signing of this “landmark” measure.
“As defenders of our land, we desire to have military leaders that have vision for the improvement of our armed forces; changes need to be made because the status quo is clearly not working,” Gordon pointed out.
“I envision a more vibrant and successful operation of the AFP, as they could now enjoy more continuity, stability, and legacy of the country's military,” he further said.
Moreover, the new law will also prohibit a retired or resigned military officer from being appointed to the Defense department within a year of their exit from the AFP.