Military respects Aquino rejection of AFP fixed term bill

MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday said it respects the decision of the Commander-in-Chief, President Benigno Aquino III, in rejecting the proposed fixed three-year term of military officials.

“We will honor and respect the decision of the President and Commander in Chief,” Colonel Arnulfo Burgos, Jr., AFP spokesman, told reporters in a press briefing.
“With or without the fixed term, we will continue to work harder to professionalize our ranks and strive to be more efficient and effective in the performance of our mandate,” Burgos said.

“Marami namang ways in order to be more professional, in order to implement our mandate,” Burgos said.

Aquino earlier announced he vetoed the bill proposing a fixed three year term for military officials, saying it conflicts with the Constitution’s provision on retirement.

The measure proposes a three-year fixed term for the AFP chief of staff and a two-year term for the commanders of the major services: Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.

Aquino said the proposed measure, passed by both chambers of Congress, violates Article 16, Section 5 of the Philippine Constitution.

He said there is a provision in the bill that says the retirement of the Chief of Staff would be deferred if he has yet to serve the fixed three-year term.

The mandatory age of retirement of military officials is 56.