Question & AnswerQ&A (ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 167)
The DND is mandated to guard against external and internal threats to national security, promote the welfare of soldiers and veterans, and provide support to socio-economic development.
There are three Undersecretaries: for (1) Munitions as provided by RA 1884, (2) National Defense as provided by EO 292, and (3) Civil Relations as provided by PD 876 as amended by PD 1895.
Under EO 292, no member of the armed forces in active service shall be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government.
In 1992, the Undersecretary for Munitions was replaced by an Undersecretary for Veterans and Reserve Affairs.
The Executive Staff is composed of (1) Staff for Plans and Programs, (2) Staff for Installation and Logistics, (3) Staff for Public Affairs, (4) Staff for Strategic Assessment, (5) Staff for Comptrollership, (6) Staff for Personnel, and (7) the Legal Service.
Sec. 78 of the GAA provides that the appointment of officers and employees shall be limited to the number of authorized positions in the plantilla of personnel approved pursuant to the organization's law.
The DND was reorganized to have three Undersecretaries (Defense Affairs, Civil Veterans and Reserve Affairs, Legal Affairs and Special Concerns) and five Assistant Secretaries heading five Executive Staff offices (Plans & Programs, Installation & Logistics, Strategic Assessment, Comptrollership, Personnel).
Undersecretary Antonio Santos was appointed as Undersecretary for National Defense.
Office Chief Rosulo Manlangit heads the Executive Staff for Public and Legislative Affairs, while Office Chief Norman T. Daanoy handles the Executive Staff for the Legal Service.
The Undersecretary for Armed Forces Modernization Affairs assists in implementing the Armed Forces Modernization Law and Philippine Defense Reform and supervises the DND Bids and Awards Committee.
It includes regular members like the Chairman (Assistant Secretary Roberto Nuqui), Vice-Chairman, members including Assistant Directors, Brigadier General Jerry Jalandoni, provisional members such as Lt. General Antonio Romero and representatives of the major services, and observers including Undersecretaries and representatives from the NSC, Department of Finance, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and an NGO.
The Internal Audit unit is part of the Personal Staff of the Secretary of National Defense.