Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section nine of Republic Act Numbered Two hundred ninety-one, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 9. Promotion to grade of major general and general of the Armed, Forces.—(a) The grade of general of the armed forces shall be conferred only upon the officer appointed by the President, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, to the office of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  The grade of Major general in the active list shall be conferred only upon the officer appointed by the President, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, to the office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"(b) The officer appointed as Chief of Staff shall hold office for a term of three years, unless sooner relieved by the President.  Upon his relief as Chief of Staff, he shall be retired from the service in the grade of lieutenant general or be reverted to the permanent grade of lieutenant general and released from the active service without prejudice to his retirement under Republic Act Numbered Three hundred and forty, as amended.

"(c) The President shall select from among officers in the permanent grade of general and colonel the officer who, in his opinion, is best qualified for the offices of Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff: Provided, That an officer in the permanent grade of colonel must have completed at least one year's service in said grade before being nominated or appointed to occupy the office of Chief of Staff or Vice Chief of Staff: Provided, further That officers appointed in the Judge Advocate General's Service, the Chaplain Service, or in the several corps of the Medical Service shall not be eligible for nomination or appointment to the office of Chief of Staff."

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 22, 1963.