Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 22) — The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report which reconciled differences in the two houses of Congress’ versions of a bill aimed at addressing grumblings in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In the plenary session on Wednesday, all senators present agreed to ratify the reconciled version of the bill amending the AFP fixed term law.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who chairs the Senate defense committee, said counterparts in the House agreed to use the Senate bill as the working draft.
The latest version states that the AFP chief of staff shall have a maximum tour of duty of three years, while other key officers are given two years. These include the Commanding Generals of the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force, the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, and the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy.
Estrada said the bicam report also increased the number of generals from 1% under the current law to 1.25%, which translates to around 40 to 50 generals.
“The reason behind this is because of our modernization program. Kailangan natin maraming generals. Tsaka maraming colonel sa baba na pwedeng ma-promote [We need more generals. And many colonels below who can be promoted],” Estrada told reporters.
The mandatory retirement age was also raised from 56 to 57 for all AFP officers and enlisted personnel. One will also be compulsorily retired upon reaching 30 years of satisfactory active service, whichever is later, Estrada said.
“Kasi at 56 usually, yung mga ibang officers naghahanap na ng trabaho yan. Kukunin ng mga private entities ‘yan dahil meron silang knowhow dahil pinag-aral ng gobyerno. Dapat pakinabangan pa rin ng gobyerno yung pinag-aral sa kanila ng gobyerno natin,” the senator added.
[Translation: At 56, some officers are already looking for other opportunities. Private entities would most likely hire them because they were government scholars. I think the government should continue to benefit from them.]
The chief of staff and other key officers shall also retire upon completing their tour of duty, or once relieved by the president as commander-in-chief.
