Legal basis and authority invoked
- Executive Order No. 26 is issued under authority contained in Sections 22 and 23 of Commonwealth Act No. 1, known as “The National Defense Act.”
- The appointments and assignments are announced as matters within the Army of the Philippines to be placed in the General Staff Corps.
Policy and purpose statement
- The order implements the chain of command by designating specific Army officers to key staff and command positions in accordance with The National Defense Act and related executive orders.
Appointments and General Staff Corps assignments
- Colonel Paulino Santos (retired) is appointed today as Major General in the Regular Force and is designated Chief of Staff, vice Acting Chief of Staff Brigadier General Jose de los Reyes, who is relieved.
- Major General Paulino Santos must immediately assume the duties prescribed for the Office of Chief of Staff under The National Defense Act and pertinent executive orders.
- Brigadier General Basilio J. Valdes is appointed today as Major General in the Regular Force and is designated Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Major General Basilio J. Valdes must immediately assume the duties prescribed for Deputy Chief of Staff under The National Defense Act and pertinent executive orders.
- Brigadier General Jose de los Reyes is appointed today as Major General in the Regular Force and is designated Provost Marshal General.
- Major General Jose de los Reyes must immediately assume the duties prescribed for Provost Marshal General under The National Defense Act and pertinent executive orders.
- Colonel Guillermo B. Francisco is appointed today as Brigadier General in the Regular Force and is designated Commanding General of the Regular Division.
- Brigadier General Guillermo B. Francisco must immediately assume the duties prescribed for Commanding General of the Regular Division under pertinent executive orders.
Detailed command transitions and continuing supervision
- Brigadier General Jose de los Reyes is relieved as Acting Chief of Staff upon the designation of Major General Paulino Santos as Chief of Staff.
- Major General Paulino Santos, until otherwise ordered, continues to supervise the Bureau of Prisons.
- Major General Paulino Santos exercises all authority with respect to the Bureau of Prisons that is vested in him as its Director, subject to future orders.
Rank order of the designated officers
- The designated officers must take rank in the following order:
- Major General Paulino Santos
- Major General Basilio J. Valdes
- Major General Jose de los Reyes
- Brigadier General Guillermo B. Francisco.
- The rank ordering applies specifically to the officers designated by Executive Order No. 26.