President Aquino vetoes fixed term for AFP chiefs

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III said on Friday he has vetoed the bill proposing a fixed three-year term for Armed Forces chief of staff, saying it violates the Constitution.

“I actually sent a message to both chambers that I vetoed the same,” President Aquino told reporters when asked about the fate of the bill.

“There’s a provision of the constitution that says laws on retirement cannot extend service or something to that effect,” he added.

He said there was a provision in the bill that said the retirement of the chief of staff would be deferred if he or she reaches the retirement age but has yet to serve the full three-year term.

The Chief Executive said the provision in the bill approved by Congress violates Article 16 Section Five of the constitution.

The section provides that “laws on retirement of military officers shall not allow extension of their service” except during times of war or national emergencies declared by Congress.

Congress ratified the bill providing a three-year fixed term for chiefs of staff in October 2011.

It was seen as the solution for the quick coming and going of chiefs of staff, many of whom are appointed to the post with only less than three years to go before they reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Some chiefs of staff even hold the position for only a matter of months.