Fixed terms for AFP execs to ensure continuity, stability: DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 30, 2021): Fixed terms for AFP execs to ensure continuity, stability: DND (By Priam Nepomuceno)

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Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday welcomed the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2376 which will provide fixed terms for officials holding senior positions and ranks in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"The Defense Department welcomes the passage of SBN (Senate Bill Number) 2376 in the Senate, which will provide fixed terms for military officials holding senior positions and ranks in the AFP. We thank the Senate for recognizing the urgency and necessity of this reform, which will finally end the revolving door system in the military leadership," Lorenzana said in a statement.

On Monday, the upper chamber approved on third and final reading SB 2376 also known as “An Act Strengthening Professionalism and Continuity of the Policies and Modernization Initiatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes".

"Like our lawmakers who unanimously passed SBN 2376, the DND firmly believes that the measure will not only allow for continuity, stability, and accountability in the AFP but will also ensure that only the most capable and competent are promoted to assume leadership positions," Lorenzana said.

Under the bill, the AFP chief-of-staff, vice chief-of-staff, the deputy chief-of-staff along with the heads of the Army, Air Force, Navy, unified command commanders, and the inspector general will be given a fixed term of three years.

Meanwhile, the head or superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy will be given a four-year tour of duty but is no longer eligible for any other position in the AFP and will be retired compulsorily after the conclusion of his term.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155165