Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11709

Declaration of Policy (Section 1):
- Enhance professionalization in the AFP by strengthening the merit system, allowing new leadership longer periods to implement reforms, and institutionalizing sound policies.
- Promote the most qualified officers to higher ranks.
- Obviate revolving door accommodation promotions to create a culture of excellence in leadership and accountability.
- Refine and improve rules on retirement and commissionship.

Tour of Duty (Sections 2-5):
- Key officers have a fixed 3-year tour of duty: Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Service Commanders, Unified Command Commanders, and Inspector General. (Section 2)
- The PMA Superintendent has a 4-year tour of duty and must be a General/Flag Officer of proven competence and academic excellence. (Section 3)
- No extension of tour of duty is allowed, except for the Chief of Staff during war or national emergency declared by Congress. (Sections 4-5)

Retirement (Sections 6-8):
- Compulsory retirement ages: O-1 to O-6 at 56 or 30 years, O-7 to O-9 at 59 or maximum tenure-in-grade, key positions after tour of duty, Presidential Decree No. 1908 appointees at 60 or 20 years, enlisted at 56 or 30 years. (Section 6)
- Optional retirement after 20 years of active duty. (Section 7)
- Retirement with one rank higher, but benefits based on last permanent grade held. (Section 8)

Attrition System (Sections 9-12):
- Defines terms like active duty, enlisted personnel, forced attrition, grade, officers, primary zone, procurement, and tenure-in-grade. (Section 9)
- Forced attrition of officers due to non-promotion, maximum tenure-in-grade, or low potentiality. (Section 10)
- Forced attrition of enlisted personnel due to failure of promotion, maximum tenure-in-grade, or low potentiality. (Section 11)
- Separation or retirement based on years of active duty and benefits. (Section 12)

Procurement and Grade Distribution (Sections 13-15):
- Age requirements for commissionship: 21-28 for Second Lieutenants, 21-30 for Nurse/Medical Administrative/Dental/Veterinary Corps as Second/First Lieutenants, 25-40 for Presidential Decree No. 1908 appointees as Captains. (Section 13)
- Age requirement for enlistment: 18-26, or 18-35 for special enlistment with desirable technical skills or excellence in athletics. (Section 14)
- Officer grade distribution limits: 1% Generals/Flag Officers, 6% Colonels/Captains, 12% Lieutenant Colonels/Commanders, 18% Majors/Lieutenant Commanders, 20% Captains/Lieutenants, 43% First/Second Lieutenants/Ensigns. (Section 15)

General Provisions (Sections 16-19):
- Establishment of competitive categories for promotion. (Section 16)
- One seniority lineal list for officers of Major Services and Technical Services. (Section 17)
- Prohibition on appointing retired or resigned military officers as Secretary of National Defense within 1 year. (Section 18)
- Annual Personnel Management Report submission by AFP Chief of Staff. (Section 19)

Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 20-26):
- Appropriations charged to the Department of National Defense budget. (Section 20)
- Liberal construction of the Act in favor of its provisions. (Section 21)
- Implementing rules and regulations to be formulated within 90 days, providing for systematic transition. (Section 22)
- Review and assessment of the Act within 5 years. (Section 23)
- Separability clause. (Section 24)
- Repealing and amending provisions of other laws. (Section 25)
- Effectivity on July 1, 2022. (Section 26)