President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has signed into law the measure that further strengthens professionalism and promotes the continuity of policies and modernization initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly by amending the cumpolsory retirement age and maximum tenure of its officers and personnel.

(File photos: Malacañang/RTVM)

Republic Act (RA) No. 11939, signed by the President on May 17, also amends RA 11709, signed in April 2022.

Under the new law, the AFP chief of staff shall now have a maximum tour of duty of three consecutive years, starting on the date that his appointment paper is signed, unless the President sooner terminates his appointment.

The following officers holding key positions in the AFP shall serve a maximum of two consecutive years:

• Commanding General, Philippine Army
• Commanding General, Philippine Air Force
• Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy
• Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy
  
  

The said key officers are not eligible for any position in the AFP unless promoted to the Chief of Staff post.

To be eligible for appointment or promotion to the grade of Brigadier Genera/Commodore (O-7) or higher, the officer must have at least one year remaining of active service before the compulsory retirement.

Compulsory retirement

Under the new law, those in the grades of Second Lieutenant/Ensign (O-1) to Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral (O-9) are compulsorily retired at age 57 or upon accumulation of 30 years of satisfactory active duty, whichever comes later.

The AFP chief of staff and those occupying the key positions will also be retired upon completion of their tour of duty or upon relief by the President.

Those commissioned under Presidential Decree No. 1908 and those appointed in the Corps of Professors shall be retired upon reaching the age of 60 or upon completion of 20 years of satisfactory active duty, whichever comes later.

Enlisted personnel shall be retired upon accumulating at least 30 years of satisfactory active duty or reaching age 57.

Active duty refers to the service or duty of a commissioned officer, enlisted personnel, cadet, probationary officer, trainee, or draftee in the regular force of the AFP.

JUST IN: President Marcos signs RA 11939 which strengthens professionalism and promotes the continuity of policies and modernization initiatives in the AFP. (2/2) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/wDl4rXgWb8

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyll_mb) May 18, 2023

Maximum tenure

The new law also listed the maximum tenure of officers in the grades of General/Flag Officer in the AFP:

• General/Admiral (O-10): Three years
• Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral (O-9): Three years
• Major General/Rear Admiral (O-8): Three years
• Brigadier General/Commodore (O-7): Five years
  
  

The maximum tenure of officers in the grades of Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, and Captain, or their equivalent in the other services in the AFP are as follow:

• Colonel/Captain (PN) (O-6): 10 years
• Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN) (O-5): Seven years
• Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN) (O-4): Six years
• Captain/Lieutenant (PN) (O-3): Six years
  
  

The President may lengthen the tenure-in-grade of officers in the permanent grades of Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel, or their equivalent, up to two promotional cycles when necessary "to maintain the desirable officer rank structure and uphold the progressive professional development of the officer corps."