Press Release
April 4, 2006

Fixed Term For AFP Chief of Staff Already Approved In The Senate

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said he supports President Gloria Macapagal Arroyos call to enact a law fixing the term of office of the AFP Chief of Staff so that it can contribute to the depolitization of the AFP.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security explained that if this law is enacted, it will stop the practice of the revolving door policy and insulate the position of the AFP Chief of Staff from political influence.

The Senate has already approved last March 7, 2005 on third reading Senate Bill No. 1862 entitled, An Act Prescribing A Fixed Term Of Office For The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This bill had been sent to the Lower House for concurrence more than a year ago already on March 9, 2005. Senate Bill No. 1862 authored by Senators Rodolfo G. Biazon, Loi Ejercito Estrada and Richard Gordon recommended that the AFP Chief of Staff shall have a fixed term of 3 years.

There is a counterpart bill in the House of Representatives filed by Congressman Rozzano Rufino Biazon.

Senator Biazon said if the President is serious in her proposal to fix the term of office of the AFP Chief of Staff, she must urge her supporters in the House of Representatives to prioritize this bill.

To strengthen the link between the officers corps and the enlisted personnel, Biazon also recommended that the President likewise certify Senate Bill No. 1286 passed by the Senate on third reading last February 28, 2005 authored by Senators Biazon and Loi- Ejercito Estrada. This bill had been sent to the Lower House for concurrence also more than a year ago on March 1, 2005.

Senate Bill 1286 proposes the creation of the rank of First Chief Master Sergeant/ First Chief Master Petty Officer to be given to the highest position in the enlisted personnel, the AFP Sergeant Major, who is the most important adviser of the AFP Chief of Staff on matters of morale and discipline, Biazon concluded.

News Latest News Feed