Bongbong Marcos approves change in AFP fixed-term law
Armed Forces of the Philippines logo. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a bill amending the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fixed-term code.
Marcos signed on Wednesday, May 17, Republic Act No. 11939, which amended Republic Act No. 11709 or the Act Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the AFP.
The fixed terms under the new law are as follows:
1. The AFP Chief of Staff:
– maximum tour of duty: 3 years
– can be terminated sooner by the President
2. The Chief of the Philippine Army:
– maximum tour of duty: 2 years
– can be terminated sooner by the President
3. The Chief of the Philippine Air Force:
– maximum tour of duty: 2 years
– can be terminated sooner by the President
4. The Chief of the Philippine Navy:
– maximum tour of duty: 2 years
– can be terminated sooner by the President
5. The Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy:
– maximum tour of duty: 2 years
– can be terminated sooner by the President
It also provided that AFP personnel in the grades of Second Lieutenant/Ensign to Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral will have a compulsory retirement age of 57 years old and that those commissioned under Presidential Decree No. 1908 and those appointed in the Corps of Officers will have a compulsory retirement age of 60 years old.
RA No. 11939 further specified that there would be an increased maximum tenure-in-grade for those with the rank of brigadier general or commodore or higher from three to five years and an increased maximum tenure-in-grade for those with the rank of colonel and captain from eight to 10 years,
There will likewise be an officer grade distribution based on the AFP table of organization, according to the new law, with amendments to adjust the percentage for general or flag officers to 1.25% and for first lieutenant or lieutenant junior grade and second lieutenant and ensign to 42.75% – in line with the AFP modernization program.
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