QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 179)
It designates and effects a change in the Chief of Staff position in the General Staff Corps of the Army of the Philippines under the authority of Commonwealth Act No. 312.
Major General Paulino Santos, Regular Force, was relieved as Chief of Staff effective at the close of the day on December 31, 1938.
He was to be retired from active service as of the same date (December 31, 1938).
Major General Basilio J. Valdes, Regular Force, Deputy Chief of Staff, was designated Chief of Staff vice Major General Paulino Santos.
He assumed the duties effective January 1, 1939.
He previously held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff.
It indicates that Valdes is the successor designated in place of (vice) Santos as Chief of Staff.
It specifies both: Santos’s relief and retirement at the close of Dec. 31, 1938, and Valdes’s assumption of duties effective Jan. 1, 1939.
The duties were those prescribed for the Office in the National Defense Act and in pertinent executive orders.
It establishes the exact date when Valdes legally began performing the Chief of Staff duties.
It creates two timelines: (1) outgoing Santos—relieved and retired at the close of Dec. 31, 1938; (2) incoming Valdes—assumes duties starting Jan. 1, 1939.
President Manuel L. Quezon signed it, and Jorge B. Vargas signed “By the President,” as Secretary to the President.
It was done at the City of Manila on December 31, 1938.
It terminates the officer’s holding of the Chief of Staff office effective at the specified time, and in this case also triggers retirement from active service.
Because CA 312 amended the National Defense Act, and the President’s authority to make the designation/changes is based on Section 22 as amended by CA 312.