Republic Act No. 9365

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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).

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 8. Repealing Clause

All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars and memoranda inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon approval.

Approved,

JOSE DE VENECIA, JR. Speaker of the House of Representatives	MANNY VILLAR 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.

ROBERTO P. NAZARENO Secretary General House of Represenatives	OSCAR G. YABES Secretary of Senate

Approved: Dec. 21, 2006

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO President of the Philippines