Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano is proposing a fixed three-year term for the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure stability in the military leadership and spare them from partisan politics.
Under House Bill 4152, Alejano batted for a three-year tour of duty for the AFP Chief of Staff as well as his major service commanders, including the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, and the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force.
Alejano said their positions are very critical and sensitive as they are entrusted with the country’s security and defense.
“The problem is that because of the fact that the appointing authority is usually limited in his choice to only the most senior officers of the AFP, the appointees normally serve for only very short periods of time, usually for just one year or even less before going into retirement,” he said.
“There is no doubt that this state of things adversely affecting the AFP and the nation, with the Chief of Staff of the AFP and Chiefs of the Major Services only staying long enough to warm up their seats but only long enough to be able to develop, put into place, and implement meaningful medium and long term plans and programs for their commands,” Alejano said.
He laments that the appointees are prone to being politicized with the positions being dangled before potential appointees under such dubious practices like the “revolving door policy,” which was practiced by the previous administrations. (Charissa M. Luci)