Extension of AFP chiefs’ terms a practice done by presidents

General Rey Leonardo Guerrero will serve as the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff for four more months after President Rodrigo Duterte extended his term.

Guerrero, appointed on October 25, was supposed to retire on December 17, but the President ordered him to stay until April 24, 2018, citing Republic Act 8186.

This will not be the first time a president has extended the term of the AFP Chief of Staff.

In 1996, then-President Fidel Ramos extended General Arturo Enrile's term for another five months due to the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference. Enrile was appointed on April 12, 1994 and was supposed to retire on June 20, 1996.

Ramos also extended the terms of military service of Generals Arnulfo Acedera Jr., who served from November 28, 1996 to December 31, 1997, and General Clemente Mariano, who served from January 1, 1998 to July 1, 1998.

Ramos gave his last AFP chief of staff, Mariano, four more months to ensure a smooth transition for his successor, Joseph Estrada.

In 1999, then-President Estrada extended the term of General Joselin Nazareno for another three months until July 8, 1999. The military chief, appointed in July 1998, was supposed to retire on April 6, 1999.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was criticized for her "revolving door policy" with the military, extended the terms of four AFP chiefs of staff.

General Roy Cimatu, appointed on May 18, 2002, was supposed to retire on July 4 but served until September 10, 2002 after he was given a two-month extension.

The term of General Benjamin Defensor Jr was also extended but for only 10 days. He was appointed on September 10, 2002 and served until November 28, 2002.

Arroyo also extended the term of General Efren Abu, who served from October 29, 2004 to August 15, 2005. He was the military chief at the height of the "Hello, Garci" scandal involving wiretapped recordings of alleged conversations on poll cheating operations in 2004.

The current National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon was also a recipient of a term extension under President Arroyo.

Appointed on July 21, 2006, he was supposed to leave the post on February 9, 2008 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 but was given three more months.

Then-Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the extension was intended to give then incoming AFP chief General Alexander Yano time to adjust to his new position.

Section 3 of RA 8186 states that “unless earlier separated, retired or promoted to the next higher grade in the AFP Table of Organization, Colonels/Captains (PN) and Generals/Flag Officers shall be compulsorily retired upon the attainment of the maximum tenure in grade herein prescribed, or upon reaching the age of compulsory retirement whichever is earlier except for the Chief of Staff, AFP, who may be allowed by the President of the Philippines to finish tenure in position as provided for in the Constitution.” — BM, GMA News