[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9365, December 21, 2006 ]
AN ACT CREATING THE RANK OF FIRST CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT/FIRST MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER IN THE ENLISTER RANKS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to continuously develop a professional armed forces. In pursuit thereof, career development and promotion systems shall be established to ensure a career progression of all personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to provide them with appropriate career motivations.
SEC. 2. Creation and Distribution of New Rank. – The grade of First Chief Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty Officer (E-10) is hereby created as a component part of the noncommissioned grades of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and which shall be held by the AFP Sergeant Major.
SEC. 3. Selection of AFP Sergeant Major. – The AFP Sergeant Major shall be selected from among the Chief Master Sergeants/Master Chief Petty Officers under such rules and regulations that the Chief of Staff, AFP, may prescribe: Provided, That unless sooner terminated for cause by the Chief of Staff, AFP, the AFP Sergeant Major may serve for a maximum term of three years: Provided, finally, That no person shall be appointed under this Section if he has less than one year in the active service prior to his reaching the compulsory retirement age.
SEC. 4. Compensation. – A first Chief Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty Officer shall receive a monthly base pay equivalent to the monthly base pay given to Salary Grade 19.
SEC. 5. Retirement and Separation. – The enlisted personnel who attains the rank of First Chief Master Sergeant/ First Master Chief Petty Officer shall be retired with the rank of Second Lieutenant/Ensign but with the retirement pay and benefits of a First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2).
SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the AFP under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of National Defense shall, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars and memoranda inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon approval.
Approved,
| (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR. | (Sgd.) MANNY VILLAR |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives | President of the Senate |
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1286 and House Bill 224 was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on October 9, 2006 and October 11, 2006, respectively
| (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO | (Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES |
| Secretary General House of Representatives | Secretary of the Senate |
Approved: Dec. 21, 2006
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO
President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines