The lower chamber approved on second reading Tuesday, Dec. 6 the measure limiting the coverage of the three-year fixed term for officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Through a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes), House Bill (HB) No.6482 or the Act further strengthening professionalism and promoting the continuity of policies and modernization initiatives in the AFP was approved on second reading during Tuesday's plenary session.
The measure was filed by House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, Iloilo 5th district Rep. Raul Tupas, Negros Occidental 6th Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Zamboanga del Sur 1st district Rep. Divina Grace Yu, and Patrol Party-list Rep. Jorge Bustos.
The House Committee on National Defense and Security, chaired by Tupas, was the panel that endorsed the measure to the House plenary.
Under HB No.6482, the fixed three-year term will be limited to the Armed Forces chief of staff, commanding generals of the Philippine Army, and Air Force and flag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy.
“After the passage into law of RA (Republic Act) No.11709, a significant number of proposals and recommendations from officers and enlisted personnel were made to amend some provisions to make the law more responsive to the needs, peculiar situation, organizational structure, and human resource development of the AFP,” the explanatory note of the bill read.
Under the present law, the three-year fixed term covers the Armed Forces vice chief of staff, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff, commanding general of the Philippine Army, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, flag-officer-in command of the Philippine Navy, unified command commanders, and AFP inspector general.
The measure also provides that except for the chief of staff, no officer shall be designated to key positions or promoted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore, or higher if the officer has less than six months of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.
The compulsory retirement of brigadier general/commodore shall be 57, for major general/rear admiral shall be 58, and for lieutenant general/vice admiral shall be 59.
The three-year fixed term can be terminated sooner by the President.