Legal basis and linked statutory framework
- Executive Order No. 730 is issued under the President’s authority under Section 22 (1) of the National Defense Act, as amended.
- Executive Order No. 730 links the Board’s functions to the Minister of National Defense’s responsibilities under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 291, as amended.
- Executive Order No. 730 uses “best qualified” officer concept as contemplated in Section 8, RA 291, as amended.
Board of Generals: creation and composition
- Executive Order No. 730 creates the Board of Generals in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
- The Board is composed of the following officers:
- Chief of Staff, AFP as Chairman.
- Vice Chief of Staff, AFP as Member.
- Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP as Member.
- Commanding General, Philippine Army as Member.
- Chief of the Philippine Constabulary as Member.
- Commanding General, Philippine Air Force as Member.
- Flag Officer-In-Command, Philippine Navy as Member.
- The Board additionally includes:
- Deputy Chief of Staff Ja1 as Member.
- Secretary, non-voting as Secretary, non-voting.
When the Board acts: promotion vacancies
- The Board of Generals passes upon promotion recommendations based upon the number of promotion vacancies declared by the Minister of National Defense.
- The vacancies covered are in the grades of colonel and brigadier general, and the order expressly includes their Navy equivalents.
- The Board considers recommendations for promotion of the Major/Technical Services to Colonel and Brigadier General (or their Navy equivalents).
Standards and eligibility for promotion
- The Board applies criteria set by the Board covering performance, leadership, and managerial or technical ability desired for each recommendee.
- Prior to eligibility for promotion to colonel or brigadier general (or their Navy equivalents), an officer must:
- Have completed at least one year in the permanent grade of lieutenant colonel or colonel (or their Navy equivalents).
- Have no pending case.
- Have no financial or property accountabilities.
- Be physically fit for general military service.
- Be GSG eligible or its equivalent as prescribed by existing regulations.
- Satisfy any other requirement that the Board may prescribe.
Board functions and assistance to the Minister
- The Board of Generals assists the Minister of National Defense in the latter’s discharge of responsibilities under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 291, as amended.
- The Board of Generals submits to the Minister of National Defense a list of the “best qualified” officers, using the concept contemplated in Section 8, RA 291, as amended.
- The Minister may recommend to the President the list of best qualified officers submitted by the Board for appointment.
Rules, procedures, and subordinate boards
- The Board of Generals may promulgate rules and procedures as necessary to assist in the selection of “best qualified” officers.
- The Board’s procedures may include the creation of subordinate boards.
- The Board’s authority to set criteria and requirements applies to promotion considerations for colonel and brigadier general (and their Navy equivalents) for Major/Technical Services.