Some military officials are rumbling or sulking (nagtatampo) over a new law that prescribes fixed terms for key officers, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday said.
What’s driving the news?
The recent change in the military leadership fueled talks of unrest.
- General Andres Centino reclaimed the top military post, removing Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro who was just appointed last September
- Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. resigned later saying he was bypassed in the selection of Centino. The defense department was supposed to endorse the list of candidates selected by AFP’s Board of Generals to the President.
- Four other undersecretaries of Faustino also tendered courtesy resignations.
- Galvez was appointed DND afterwards
- The military and police was placed on high alert during this time when new appointment were made. But officials said this is due to the Nazareno, Sinulog and other festivals in the country.
What’s RA 11709
Republic Act 11709 passed in 2021 prescribes a fixed term of only three years for AFP chief of staff and other key AFP officials such as Army, Navy, Air Force commanding generals.
The law was supposed to professionalize the Armed Forces and insulate it from politics.
By prescribing a fixed term of office, it was supposed to put an end to the practice of the presidents appointing top generals who are already about to retire. Lawmakers wanted to put an end to the so-called “revolving door” policy in the AFP.
Centino was appointed by then President Duterte in 2021, three months after the RA 11709 was passed. He was supposed to retire in February 2023, at age 56.
The mandatory age of retirement for the military is 56.
Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, one of the best soldiers in the country being a Medal of Valor awardee, was supposed to be the first beneficiary of RA 11709. He was then 56 when he was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last September 2022. Because he was appointed as AFP chief of staff, his tenure was extended.
Why tampo?
Some sectors within the Armed Forces are “disgruntled” over the effects of RA 11709 to their career.
To put it more bluntly, it’s actually “tampo” (sulking) by the troops over the law more than anything else, he said.
By giving fixed terms to the highest AFP officials, the promotion of other military officials will be put on hold.
This is the “unintended” consequence of the RA 11709, Galvez said. Around 135 officers, mostly from Philippine Military Academy Classes 1990 to 1994, are affected.
Some junior officers felt they will were being discriminated at. They wanted that promotion should be based on fairness and meritocracy.
“We are listening to the concerns of our men and women in the AFP, who are understandably anxious over the perceived uncertainty in their careers under the new law,” he said.
How to fix it?
Galvez said the defense department and the military are now working hand in hand to address the problem arising from the passage of RA 11709.
In a statement, Galvez said they have asked the Senate to look into some amendments in the new rule that also allows officers to serve beyond their mandatory retirement age once appointed by the President.
“The DND’s proposed amendments to RA 11709 aim to further enhance the professionalism and efficiency of the AFP,” Galvez told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
“The issues surrounding the law are being threshed out collaboratively between the DND and the AFP,” he added.
The defense chief also announced that the enlisted personnel will no longer be covered by RA 11709 under the new law.
“Huwag na kayong mangamba, inirekomenda ng DND at AFP na ang promotion system at retirement ng mga enlisted personnel ay hindi na sasailalim sa RA 11709,” he said.
Surprise visit to Army
On Wednesday, Galvez made a surprise visit to Army headquarters where he sought to dispel discord between the defense department and one of its bureaus.
Galvez said one of his priorities is to maintain a flawless and harmonious coordination between the defense department and its bureaus.
“Yung ating AFP at DND (Department of National Defense) gusto naming maging solid kaya nagpunta kami dito sa Army Headquarters,” he said.
On the enlisted personnel, Galvez said they are proposing amendment to the RA 11709 that would put the EPs under the major service command’s human resource development programs.
“Pag labas ng batas ay excluded na kayo. Ang aming prayer ay ang ‘transition’ sa 11709 ay mapaganda at mapabilis ang pag-manage ng ating Armed Forces. Sana lumabas na ang amendments para hindi maabala ang inyong mga career,” he added.
photos courtesy: Department of National Defense Facebook Page
