Seniority Principles
- Regular officers have precedence over reserve officers of the same grade.
- Initial seniority list to be prepared by the Chief of Staff and approved by the President establishes permanent relative seniority.
- Officers from Philippine Constabulary and Army retain relative seniority at time of transfer.
- Seniority in a grade established by total length of service, subject to loss of seniority by court martial sentence.
- Annual publication and updating of the seniority list by Chief of Staff to reflect separations, appointments, court martial penalties, and other changes.
Promotion Regulations
- Number of officers per grade above first lieutenant regulated by law.
- Promotion only allowed when existing officers in the grade fall below authorized number.
- Promotions do not change the officer's arm or service branch.
- Mandatory promotion timelines for third lieutenants (after 2 years) and second lieutenants (after 5 years), conditional on satisfactory qualifications.
- Unsatisfactory officers reviewed by Promotion Eligibility Board and may be discharged upon Presidential approval.
- Vacancies from captain to colonel filled by senior eligible officer on the promotion list.
- Officers passed over due to non-inclusion on eligible list separated from active duty and eligible for reserve force promotion after leave.
- Separated officers may receive cash bonuses or retired pay based on length of service unless separation is due to misconduct.
Promotion Eligibility Boards
- Annual appointment of a five-member Promotion Eligibility Board by the President.
- Board composition: minimum four active army officers of colonel rank or higher; one retired colonel or civilian allowed.
- Restrictions on consecutive service on boards for members and prohibition of Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff participation.
- Board receives seniority list, vacancies estimate, officer records, and clerical support from Chief of Staff.
Board Procedures and Decision-Making
- Board Chairman designated by the President; decisions by majority vote and subject to Presidential approval.
- Board reviews discharge recommendations for junior lieutenants.
- Eligibility for promotion determined annually for officers from first lieutenant to lieutenant colonel.
- Promotion eligibility list includes double the number of officers for estimated vacancies.
- Officers omitted from eligibility after prior approval may appeal to the President with supporting evidence.
- Eligibility consideration based on professional efficiency, experience, accomplishments, attitude, ability, character, and government value.
- No consideration given to political, social, financial or other non-military factors.
- Physical fitness issues referred to a fitness board.
- Proceedings confidential and final eligibility lists published annually without change during the calendar year.