Title
AFP Officer Grade and Tenure Limits Act
Law
Republic Act No. 8186
Decision Date
Jun 11, 1996
Republic Act No. 8186 outlines the distribution and tenure of officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the percentage distribution of officers in each grade and the maximum tenure in grade and position, with the aim of modernizing the AFP and ensuring efficient leadership.

Law Summary

Distribution of General/Flag Officers by Rank

  • The total authorized number of General/Flag Officers are distributed as follows:
    • General/Admiral (0-10): 1%
    • Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral (0-9): 7%
    • Major General/Rear Admiral (0-8): 26%
    • Brigadier General/Commodore (0-7): 66%
  • Only one officer may hold the General/Admiral grade at any time.
  • The prescribed numbers for Major General or higher grades are maximum limits.
  • Surplus authorized numbers in higher grades may increase lower grade quotas.
  • Promotions to Brigadier General/Commodore or higher grades require an existing vacancy and that the officer holds a position warranting the rank according to the TO.

Maximum Tenure in Grade for Senior Officers

  • Maximum tenure for generals/flag officers and Colonels/Captains (PN) are set as follows:
    • General/Admiral: 3 years
    • Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral: 3 years
    • Major General/Rear Admiral: 3 years
    • Brigadier General/Commodore: 5 years
    • Colonel/Captain (PN): 10 years
  • Officers must be compulsorily retired upon reaching the tenure limit or compulsory retirement age, whichever is earlier, unless promoted or assigned to a higher position.
  • The Chief of Staff of the AFP may be allowed to finish tenure by presidential authority per the Constitution.
  • Officers already holding these ranks at enactment may be granted an additional one-year tenure before the maximum applies, except if retirement age comes first.

Maximum Tenure in Position for Key AFP Roles

  • Key AFP positions have a maximum tenure of three years unless relieved or retired earlier:
    • Chief of Staff, AFP
    • Vice Chief of Staff, AFP
    • Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP
    • Major Service Commanders
  • No officer shall be assigned to these key posts or promoted to Brigadier General/Commodore or above if less than one year remains before compulsory retirement (except the Chief of Staff).

Appropriations for Implementation

  • The Act’s implementation funding will be sourced from AFP savings in the current year.
  • Future implementation costs shall be included in the AFP’s annual General Appropriations.

Implementing Rules and Regulations

  • The Secretary of National Defense shall promulgate necessary rules and regulations for effective implementation.

Repealing Clause

  • Any laws, rules, regulations, or issuances inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

  • The Act takes effect upon approval on June 11, 1996.

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