Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday thanked three senators who came up with a bill seeking to amend portions of Republic Act (RA) 11709, which prescribes fixed terms for key military officials.

“The DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are eternally grateful to the Senate, in particular, Senator Jingggoy Estrada, chair of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation and his co-sponsors, for addressing the concerns of our brave men and women of the AFP regarding the implementation of RA 11709, through Senate Bill No. 1849 under Committee Report No. 23, which was passed on Tuesday, 7 February 2023,” he said in a statement.

Republic Act 11709 is also known as the “Act Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP.”

“We in the DND also extend our deepest appreciation to the House of Representatives for having passed their own version in December 2022,” Galvez said.

He added that the strong support of both houses of Congress for amending certain provisions of RA 11709 would ensure that the AFP would remain professional, dynamic, responsive, and capable of adapting to current times.

Senate Bill 1849, authored by Estrada and co-authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, seeks to amend five sections – Sections 2, 6, 10, 11, and 15 of RA 11709.

Section 2 refers to the fixed three-year term of the tour of duty of key AFP officers while Section 6 calls for the compulsory retirement of officers from 2nd lieutenant to colonel or their equivalent upon accumulation of 30 years of active service.

Section 10 refers to the forced attrition of officers, Section 11 calls for the forced attrition of enlisted personnel, and Section 15 calls for officer grade distribution.

During his sponsorship speech, Estrada said the amendments would “address the gaps, issues, and unintended consequences brought about by the implementation of RA 11709.”

“Most importantly, it will definitely usher in a level of improved morale within and among the ranks of our armed forces. Ensuring a level playing field for career advancement is the least we can do for our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who continue to lay their lives on the line protecting the Filipino people and defending the Philippines,” Estrada added.

He noted that “this piece of legislation remains consistent with the spirit and intention of RA 11709 that is anchored on meritocracy and professionalization, while providing the organization with the necessary room for flexibility, ensuring stability, and improving the morale in our Armed Forces.”

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE