Surigao del Norte Rep. Johnny Pimentel has refiled a bill seeking a fixed three year term for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff.
Pimentel is hoping that President Duterte would see the wisdom in implementing a 36-month tenure for the Armed Forces Chief of Staff.
“The quick turnover of AFP chiefs of staff has become counterproductive – even somewhat disruptive,” Pimentel, a member of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, said.
Because of this, Pimentel filed House Bill No. 3402 that seeks a fixed three-year term for the Armed Forces Chief of Staff.
A similar measure was vetoed by then President Aquino four years ago.
“Over the last 30 years, the AFP has had 28 chiefs of staff who each served an average of only 12 months. In the case of our last 10 chiefs of staff, each actually served only an average of seven months,” Pimentel said.
The AFP chief of staff’s counterpart in the United States – the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – enjoys a fixed term of two years, he pointed out. (Ellson A. Quismorio)