Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 389)
The Chief of Staff executes the President's command functions related to military strategy, tactics, and operations, acts as the immediate adviser to the Secretary of National Defense, and is responsible for the planning, development, and execution of the national defense program.
The Chief of Staff is authorized to prescribe, subject to the Secretary of National Defense's approval, the organization, functions, duties, and powers of the various staffs, services, installations, and other units of the Armed Forces.
The Vice Chief of Staff, with the rank of Brigadier General and designated by the President, assists the Chief of Staff and performs his functions during his absence or inability.
The Deputy Chief of Staff exercises general supervision over the General, Special, Administrative, and Technical Staffs and Services and oversees the Office of the Secretary to the General Staff.
The General Military Council is composed of the Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and commanders of major services and area commands. It advises the Secretary of National Defense on broad military policy.
The divisions are G-1 (Personnel and Administrative), G-2 (Intelligence), G-3 (Organization, Operation, Plan and Training), and G-4 (Logistics). Their responsibilities include policy preparation, efficiency investigation, instruction preparation, preventing duplication of efforts, and other duties prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense.
The four major services are the Philippine Army, Philippine Constabulary, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy.
The Philippine Constabulary is organized, trained, and equipped primarily for law enforcement and maintaining order. It follows specific provisions of the Revised Administrative Code and can perform home defense in emergencies as directed by the Chief of Staff.
The normal tour of duty for both officers is three years unless sooner terminated or extended at the President's discretion.
The Secretary of National Defense is authorized to make necessary changes in designations to conform to the order, and all laws and regulations relating to former designations apply to the newly designated officers or units unless inconsistent with the order.