The proposed amendment to the newly-passed law prescribing a fixed three-year term for senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will mainly affect three-star generals, according to a military spokesperson.
Proposed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Bill No. 6842 seeks to remove the three-year fixed term for some officials of the AFP, amending Republic Act No. 11709 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte last April 13 which took effect in July.
“I think this amendment in the law which is being proposed is a new result of the consultation made by the Congress to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Col. Medel Aguilar, acting AFP spokesperson, said in a television interview over ANC on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
“There are some minor changes that are being proposed especially among three-star generals so that there will be movement,” he added.
Under RA No. 11709, the AFP chief of staff, vice chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, heads of major services units (Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force), commanders of unified commands, and inspector general will serve for a fixed three-year term of office “unless sooner terminated by the President.” Meanwhile, the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) shall serve for four years.
The law was enacted to finally stop the practice of “revolving door” in the AFP or the quick entry and exit of its chief of staff, with others serving for months only as they reach the mandatory retirement age.
But under the proposed amendment, the fixed three-year term will be limited, unless terminated by the President, to four officers only: the chief of staff, and the commanding generals of the Army and Air Force as well as the flag officer in command of the Navy.
Meanwhile, lateral movement will be allowed for the vice chief of staff, commanders of unified command, and inspector general. These posts require for a two to three-star rank.
Aguilar believes that the proposed amendment will not change the essence of the law which is to prevent the practice of revolving door in the AFP.
He maintained that the fixed three-year term for the chief of staff is just sufficient to properly implement reforms, and institutionalize sound policies that will redound to the improvement of AFP.
“I think it’s not too long and I think the term of the chief of staff is not being changed. The prerogative on the part of the President to terminate the designation of one officer is already incorporated in the law so I think there’s no change,” Aguilar said.
Rumors have been circling around the organization that the fixed term law is causing anxiety among some star-rank officers as it will affect their promotion.