I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the amendment of Section 3 of Administrative Order No. 40, s. 1993, "Prescribing Guidelines for the Treatment of the Personnel of The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, Who Are Facing Administrative and Criminal Charges", to read as follows:

"Sec. 3.         Service-connected crimes or offenses shall, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7055, be tried by court-martial: Provided, That the President of the Philippines may, in the interest of justice, motu propio or upon the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, order or direct at any time before arraignment that any such crimes or offenses be tried by the proper civil courts."

This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 21 May 1993

(sgd.) Fidel V. Ramos
President