CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH ROTC

MR. PRESIDENT, FELLOW MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST CHAMBER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD AFTERNOON. MAAYONG HAPON SA TANAN!

On June 30, 2016, I filed Senate Bill No. 189 "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF MANDATORY MILITARY TRAINING FOR ALL GRADE 11 AND GRADE 12 STUDENTS BY REINSTATING SECTION 38 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT."

Mr. President, I have been pushing for the REINSTATEMENT OF THE RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS since I was still in Congress. After its first reading on August 1, 2016, this bill was pending in the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture and Committee on National Defense and Security. Two years after, it received a fresh boost when our esteemed Senate President, Hon. Vicente Sotto III, manifested his intention to be made co-author of this measure. Imagine my sigh of relief when, FINALLY, there were Committee Hearings that were conducted since February 2019.

This is one of my priority bills because today, more than ever, we need to strengthen our commitment to put country above self. Reinstating the ROTC is consistent with the constitutional mandate that the government may call upon the people to defend the state.

I am grateful that, FINALLY, Sen. Win Gatchalian, with the help of our stakeholders, have acted on this measure.

Mr. President, it is my honor to CO-SPONSOR Senate Bill Number 2232 introduced by the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture under Committee Report Number 681, "AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT", AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR."

This measure seeks to establish the ROTC Program in all Public and Private Educational Institutions. This will be a mandatory two year Basic ROTC program for students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 which shall form part of the basic curricula for the Senior High School Education in any public and private educational institutions in pursuance to the provisions of the National Defense Act, Revised Administrative Code of 1987, and the 1987 Constitution.

Our primary objective is to produce well-trained and prepared reservists for military and civic service. Our aim is to instill patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual virtues, respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution. The Basic ROTC shall include basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize and utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations.

With the reinstatement of ROTC, we shall equip our youth with the necessary knowledge and skills in securing and defending the country in times of national emergency.

On the other hand, our government shall secure the safety and welfare of our youth while instilling patriotism and discipline among them. Please take note that in this measure, it is clearly stated that no student below the age of 18 years shall take a direct part in hostilities.

Hindi po tayo nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan dito sa Senado. Alam po natin na nagkaroon ng mga problema at kontrobersiya sa ROTC kaya sinisigurado natin ang proteksiyon ng mga kabataan na hinuhubog natin bilang mga responsableng mamamayan. With the REINSTATEMENT OF MANDATORY ROTC, we shall strengthen the accountability of the ROTC Officers as well as everyone involved in the implementation of the program. This is why we have included guidelines to safeguard the students. MANANAGOT ANG MGA MANG-AABUSO!

Together with fellow authors, Senator Vicente Sotto III, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Senator Aquilino Pimentel, and Senator Richard Gordon, I would like to urge our fellow legislators to pass this measure before the 17th Congress is adjourned. Let us do this for the sake of our country. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.