Promotion Regulations
- The number of officers per grade above first lieutenant is legally regulated.
- Promotions can only occur when the number of officers in a grade falls below the authorized level.
- Promotions do not change the arm or service of an officer.
- Third lieutenants are promoted to second lieutenants after two years; second lieutenants to first lieutenants after five years, subject to satisfactory qualifications.
- Officers not meeting qualifications may be reviewed by a Promotion Eligibility Board and discharged upon the President's approval.
- Vacancies from captain to colonel are filled by promoting the senior officer next below, provided they are on the promotion eligible list.
- Officers passed over for promotion based on eligibility may be separated and transferred to the Reserve Force, where they remain promotable subject to regulations.
Separation Benefits
- Officers separated for non-misconduct reasons receive benefits:
- Less than ten years service: cash bonus of one month’s base and longevity pay per completed year.
- Ten or more years of service: option between a cash bonus or retired pay calculated at 1.5% of base and longevity pay per completed year.
Promotion Eligibility Boards
- Annual appointment of a five-member Promotion Eligibility Board by the President.
- At least four members must be active officers (colonel or above); one member can be a retired officer or a civilian with no government role.
- Restrictions exist on members serving consecutive terms and on civilian participation.
- The Chief of Staff provides the board with up-to-date seniority lists, vacancy estimates, official officer records (excluding documents not from official superiors), office supplies, clerical help, and a non-voting secretary.
Board Duties and Procedures
- The President designates the Board’s Chairman and makes final decisions.
- Decisions by majority vote.
- The Board reviews third and second lieutenant discharges based on the Chief of Staff's recommendations.
- The Board annually determines promotion eligibility for officers from first lieutenant to lieutenant colonel.
- Consideration starts with the senior officer and continues until twice the estimated vacancies are listed as eligible.
- Special reports required if omission from eligibility list contradicts previous Board findings; officers may appeal to the President.
- Eligibility evaluation considers professional qualifications, character, and government value; excludes political, social, or financial factors.
- Physical fitness issues are referred to a separate Board.
- Board findings are confidential; eligible officers' names are published and remain fixed for the calendar year.
This regulation establishes a structured and merit-based system for managing seniority, promotion, and separation benefits within the active Philippine military forces, subject to oversight by the President and systematic review by appointed Promotion Eligibility Boards.