Fixed term for AFP chief eyed

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate on Thursday moved a step closer to approving a measure fixing the term of the Armed Forces chief of staff to three years to keep him from being beholden to the appointing power, the President.

The committee on national defense, chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, wrapped up its hearing on Senate Bill No. 2285 and 20, and House Bill No. 6 prescribing a fixed term for the AFP chief.

“We have resolved that there will be a fixed term for the chief of staff. The fixed term will be three years,” Lacson told reporters after the hearing.

Once the bill is approved by Congress and enacted into law, it would “depoliticize” the military and do away with “revolving door policy,” the practice of appointing generals to the top post even though they have a few months left before retirement, he said.

“Once institutionalized, probably we will help better professionalize the AFP,” the former Philippine National Police chief told reporters.

Thirteen chiefs of staff were appointed during the nine-year term of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.