Policy on active-force modernization
- Section 1 directs that officer grade distribution in the AFP’s active force shall support a modernization effort through the gradual decrease in the number of officers in each officer rank.
- Section 1 requires the Secretary of National Defense to base the distribution on the total officer strength authorized for the AFP.
- Section 1 requires that the percentage schedule for each grade must not be exceeded.
Officer grade distribution rules
- Section 1 requires the Secretary of National Defense to prescribe the authorized number of officers in each grade and in each major, technical or administrative service.
- Section 1 provides that effective one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the number of officers in each grade shall not exceed the numbers authorized in the Table of Organization of units of the active force, distributed as follows:
- 0.75% in the General/Flag Officer grade;
- 6% in the grade of Colonel/Captain (PN);
- 12% in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN);
- 18% in the grade of Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN);
- 20% in the grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN); and
- 43.25% in the grades of First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior Grade (PN) and Second Lieutenant/Ensign (PN).
- Section 1 mandates that the Table of Organization of units of the active force shall be adjusted in accordance with missions and officer requirements, while still gradually decreasing numbers in line with the modernization rules.
- Section 1 requires consideration of the officer to enlisted personnel ratio determination, using mission requirements, capabilities, scope of responsibility, technical nature of the position, and equipment inventory of units.
- Section 1 provides a special allocation rule for technical services: the Air Force and the Navy shall be allocated a higher officer-to-enlisted personnel ratio that shall not exceed 15% of the officer-to-enlisted personnel ratio allocated for the Philippine Army.
- Section 1 allows a numerical adjustment across grades: if the actual number in a grade is less than the number prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase to the number prescribed in a lower grade.
Distribution within General/Flag officers
- Section 2 requires the number of general/flag officers to be distributed among general/flag grades using the following percentage schedule:
- 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%
- Total: 100%
- Section 2 provides that there shall be only one officer with the grade of General/Admiral at any one time.
- Section 2 states that the number corresponding to the percentage schedule for Major General/Rear Admiral, Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral, and General/Admiral shall be the maximum.
- Section 2 repeats the cross-grade adjustment rule: if the actual number in a grade is less than the number prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase to the number prescribed in a lower grade.
- Section 2 prohibits promotion to Brigadier General/Commodore or higher unless:
- there is an existing vacancy, and
- the officer occupies a position in the Table of Organization that requires the grade or rank for the promotion.
Maximum tenure in grade
- Section 3 prescribes maximum tenure in grade for AFP officers in the specified grades:
- General/Admiral (0–10): 3 years
- Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral (0–9): 3 years
- Major General/Rear Admiral (0–8): 3 years
- Brigadier General/Commodore (0–7): 5 years
- Colonel/Captain (PN) (0–6): 10 years
- Section 3 provides that, unless earlier separated, retired, or promoted to the next higher grade or assigned to a position requiring a higher grade in the AFP Table of Organizations, Colonels/Captains (PN) and Generals/Flag Officers must be compulsorily retired upon:
- attainment of the maximum tenure in grade, or
- reaching the age of compulsory retirement,
whichever comes earlier.
- Section 3 creates an exception for the Chief of Staff, AFP: the President of the Philippines may allow the Chief of Staff to finish tenure in position as provided for in the Constitution.
- Section 3 grants a transitional one-time additional tenure: officers already holding these ranks upon approval of the Act may be allowed one (1) year more of tenure in grade before the maximum tenure provisions apply.
- Section 3 provides a priority rule in the transitional period: if an officer has already reached compulsory retirement age under existing laws, the compulsory retirement age prevails.
Maximum tenure in key positions
- Section 4 limits officers holding key positions to a maximum tenure in position of 3 years.
- Section 4 provides that these key-position limits apply unless the officer is earlier relieved by competent authority or compulsorily retired under existing laws.
- Section 4 names the key positions covered:
- Chief of Staff, AFP
- AFP Vice Chief of Staff
- AFP Deputy Chief of Staff
- Major Service Commanders
- Section 4 limits assignments and promotions for the covered positions: except for the Chief of Staff of the AFP, no officer shall be assigned/designated to the listed key positions or promoted to Brigadier General/Commodore or higher if the officer has less than 1 year of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.
Appropriations and implementation
- Section 5 authorizes payment for implementation from savings in AFP appropriations for the current year.
- Section 5 requires that after the current year, sums necessary to implement the Act be included in the annual General Appropriations of the AFP.
- Section 6 requires the Secretary of National Defense to prescribe rules and regulations necessary for effective implementation of the Act.
Repeal and effectivity
- Section 7 repeals or modifies all laws, rules and regulations, and other issuances—or parts thereof—that are inconsistent with the Act’s provisions.
- Section 8 provides that the Act takes effect upon approval.