Philippine Defense University System Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -4 P1:47 SENATE RECEIVES A S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines today faces many serious challenges to its safety and security. These include both traditional threats like armed conflict and new dangers such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and the effects of natural disasters. Because of these growing risks, it is crucial for our country to have strong leaders and professionals who are trained to understand and respond to these complex problems. Although we already have schools that teach about defense and national security such as the Philippine Military Academy and the National Defense College of the Philippines, these schools often work separately. As a result, there are overlapping programs and missed chances to work together. There is currently no single system that brings them all under one direction or makes sure that their lessons are connected and updated. This bill proposes to create the Philippine Defense University System (PDUS). This system will connect the existing defense and security schools into one well- organized institution. The PDUS will help make defense education more complete, efficient, and ready to meet the needs of our country. It will also offer advanced degrees, including a Doctor of National Security Administration (DNSA), for experienced leaders in government, the military, and important industries.

With the PDUS, we can build a new generation of national security leaders who have the skills and knowledge to protect our country and its people. They will be ready not only for today's problems, but also for future challenges we may face. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

17P TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P1:47 SENATE RECEIViD S. No. 833 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Philippine Defense

2 University System Act".

Sec. 2. Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to provide a continuing

advanced education in the field of defense and security to outstanding and qualified men and women in the military service as well as to key officers in the government 6 service, the private sector and civil society organizations both local and international. The State shall likewise ensure that defense and security education is holistic, 8 integrated, comprehensive, and attuned to the evolving defense and security 9 requirements of the country.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Philippine Defense University System. - In furtherance

of the policy enunciated in Section 2 of this Act, an educational institution known as the Philippine Defense University System (PDUS) shall be established at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Sec. 4. Objectives - The PDUS shall be established to serve as the over-all

integrating and coordinating institution in the field of defense and security education in the country. It shall aim to promote, to the highest degree possible, the enhancement and development of defense and security education, research, training 18 and extension in the country. It shall also aim to strengthen the career system, and

to prevent overlap and fragmentation among defense and security educational institutions.

Sec. 5. Organization and Administration - The PDUS shall be organized as an

4 educational institution under the Department of National Defense (DND). a. The PDUS shall be headed by a University President who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense (SND). The University President of the PDUS shall be a PhD holder who shall have the rank of a Department Undersecretary. The University President shall serve as the chief executive officer, chief academic officer, and head of the University Faculty of the PDUS. The University President shall preside over the meetings of the autonomous schools and colleges of the PDUS and exercise powers specifically provided for in this Act, those determined by the Board of Regents, and such other powers as may be provided by related laws and executive issuances; b. The University President shall be assisted by an Executive Vice-President (EVP) and three (3) Vice-Presidents who shall be appointed in the same manner as the University President. The EVP who shall have the rank of a Department Assistant Secretary shall be a Master's degree holder and with experience in defense and security. The EVP shall act as University President of the PDUS in the absence or incapacity of the University President, and perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the University President or the SND. The EVP shall have supervisory functions over Academic Affairs, Administration and Research and Extension; c. The PDUS Vice Presidents shall have the rank of a Department Director. The Vice President for Administration shall be responsible for providing overall administrative support to the activities of the PDUS; the Vice President for Academic Affairs who shall be a PhD holder shall be responsible for the development, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of academic programs; and the Vice President for Research and Extension shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of research and special studies and policy formulation and review for the DND; and

d. The PDUS shall likewise have an Academic Council who shall assist the University President in the discharge of the following functions: i. Supervise the academic affairs of the University; ii. Recommend the courses of studies to be conducted by the University to accomplish its objectives; and iii. Recommend academic consultants, professors, lecturers, instructors, research assistants and other resource persons of the University. The Academic Council shall be composed of the PDUS President as Chair, the 9 Vice President for Academic Affairs as Vice Chair, and the Heads of the PUS 10 constituent schools and colleges as well as the Heads of their respective faculties as Members, subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense as recommended by the PDUS President.

Sec. 6. Board of Regents - The PDUS shall have a Board of Regents to be

composed of the following: a. Secretary of National Defense - Chairman; b. PDUS President - Co-Chair; c. Representative, Office of the President - Vice-Chairman; and d. Members: 1. Director-General, National Security Council; 2. Chairman, Senate Committee on Defense and Security; 3. Chairman, House Committee on Defense and Security; 4. Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority; 5. Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; 6. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; 7. Secretary of Budget and Management; and 8. Chairman, Commission on Higher Education

Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Board of Regents - The Board of Regents

shall act on all matters related to the conduct of defense and security education in the country which shall include but not limited to the following: a. To adopt and define the thrusts of the PDUS and provide policy guidelines to ensure their implementation; b. To approve the graduation of students as recommended by their

respective colleges and schools and confer honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to defense and security of the country; c. To approve and promulgate rules on admission and discipline of students as recommended by the Heads of the autonomous schools and colleges within the PDUS; d. To approve proposals for the creation, organization, abolition, merger or reorganization of training and research centers and institutes within the PDUS and in each autonomous college and school; e. To establish and maintain chairs in the autonomous schools and colleges and provide for fellowship and scholarship programs to faculty, staff and students who demonstrate exceptional merit and fitness; f. To appoint heads of autonomous schools and colleges and other officials, to draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff, and to fix and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees; to determine their hours of service, and such other terms and conditions as it may deem proper; and to remove them for cause as provided by law after due investigation and proper hearing; g. To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided by law for the support of the PDUS to the ends specified by law; and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of this Act; h. To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including the necessary supplies, materials and equipment; i. To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all kinds and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of the PDUS and subject to the instructions of the donor, if any; j. To propose, subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense,

for the inclusion of other AFP training and educational institutions not covered by Section 8 of this Act, into the PDUS system; k. To delegate any of its powers to the PDUS University President or any other officials or officers as it may deem necessary; and I. To prescribe rules for its own government and the discipline of the faculty and other personnel and to enact for the government of the University such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with the purposes of this Act. The Board of Regents shall have a regular meeting. A simple majority of all the members of the Board of Regents holding office at the time the meeting is called shall constitute a quorum.

Sec. 8. The Constituent and Autonomous Schools and Colleges - The following

schools and colleges existing under the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall be integrated under the system: a. The National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP); b. The Command and General Staff College (CGSC); c. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA); and d. Strategic Intelligence Training School (SITS). The aforementioned schools and colleges shall have an autonomous status and shall be exempted from the standards, rules, and regulations prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education.

Sec. 9. The National Defense College of the Philippines - The National Defense

23 College of the Philippines shall be the country's highest educational, research and training institution in the field of defense and national security. For this purpose, it shall maintain, establish and operate centers and institutes for research, training and continuing studies in the field of defense and national security in addition to the regular courses it currently undertakes.

Sec. 10. Academic Programs of the NDCP - Within two years after effectivity of

this Act, the Academic Board of the NDCP shall offer, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents, the course curriculum and other requirements for the conduct of the Doctor of National Security Administration (DNSA), on top of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program. Upon the approval of the course curriculum

and other requirements by the Board of Regents, the NDCP shall immediately offer 2 the DNSA program. Provided, that no person shall be admitted to the program unless he is more 4 than 40 years old at the time of admission, holder of an MNSA degree, and with a rank of Colonel or Naval Captain if from the military, or Assistant Secretary or its equivalent in the government service, or Chairman, President or CEO of a private 7 industry or corporation vital to national security and interest as identified by the Board of Regents. There shall be a regular review and enhancement of the courses and programs 10 being offered by NDCP to address the evolving defense and national security requirements of the country.

Sec. 11. Promotion to General/Flag Rank - The MNSA or its equivalent in military

career development course shall be required for appointment or designation to key positions.

Sec. 12. Grant of Commission to Civilian Graduates - Subject to existing AFP

regulations, civilian graduates of regular courses from NDCP may be commissioned as officers in the Reserve Corps of the AFP with the initial rank of lieutenant colonel or its equivalent for those who are holders of the MNSA degree. For those holding the degree of DNSA, the rank of full colonel may be given provided that the candidates are at least forty (40) years old, have completed their CGSC course, and hold a rank equivalent to Department Assistant Secretary.

Sec. 13. The Command and General Staff College - The Armed Forces of the

23 Philippines Education, Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) shall ensure complementation of curriculum and course offerings of the CGSC with the PDUS. All academic programs, training programs, curricula, modules currently conducted by the abovementioned college, shall, upon effectivity of this Act and subject to existing DND and AFP regulations, be reviewed, evaluated and approved by the Board of Regents. There shall be a regular review and enhancement of the courses and programs being offered by CGSC to address the command and general staff academic requirements of AFP regular and reserve officers.

Sec. 14. The Philippine Military Academy - The Philippine Military Academy

(PMA) shall ensure complementation of curriculum and course offerings with the

1 PDUS. All academic programs, training programs, curricula, modules currently 2 conducted by the PMA shall, upon effectivity of this Act and subject to existing DND and AFP regulations, be reviewed, evaluated and approved by the Board of Regents. There shall be a regular review and enhancement of the courses and programs 5 being offered by PMA to address the military academic requirements of the AFP cadets.

Sec. 15. The Special Intelligence Training School - The Special Intelligence

7 Training School (SITS) which runs the Special Intelligence Course for future Defense 8 Armed Forces Attaches (DAFAs) shall ensure complementation of curriculum and 9 course offerings with the PDUS. All academic programs, training programs, curricula, modules currently conducted by the SITS shall, upon effectivity of this Act and subject to existing DND and AFP regulations, be reviewed, evaluated and approved by the Board of Regents. There shall be a regular review and enhancement of the courses and programs being offered by the SITS to enhance the competency of the intelligence community and address the requirements of the AFP.

Sec. 16. Faculty Members and Consultants - The PDUS shall have a core faculty

composed of civilian and military professors, instructors and lecturers serving on a full- time basis. Upon the recommendation of the Academic Council, the Board of Regents shall appoint Senior Military Officers, with the rank of Brigadier General or higher, as members of the respective core faculty of the PDUS constituent academic institutions. Full-time adjunct professors and the consultants of the PDUS serving on a part- time basis may be drawn from both the military and civilian branches of the national government, from the business sector, and from public and private educational institutions upon the approval of the PDUS President as recommended by the Academic Council. All instructors, professors and lecturers may be rotated and assigned to other autonomous colleges and schools if the exigency of service so 27 requires. All academic consultants, professors, instructors or lecturers, whether civilian or military personnel, in addition to their regular salaries, shall be entitled to receive 29 honorarium or fees as may be approved by the Board of Regents. Faculty members, permanent or part-time shall comply with the qualification standards of the Commission on Higher Education and the Civil Service Commission.

Sec. 17. Fiscal Autonomy. - The PDUS shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Pursuant to

1 its authority to collect various fees in all academic and training courses, it shall be 2 allowed to retain the proceeds of such collection and to appropriate the same for the 3 regular expenditure of PDUS subject to government accounting rules and regulations. The PDUS may receive in trust legacies, devises, gifts, donations of real and 5 personal property of all kinds and nature and to administer the same for the benefit 6 of the PDUS in accordance with the instructions or directions of the donor or in default 7 thereof, as the law on donation may provide.

Sec. 18. Personnel Details or Secondment. - Heads of bureaus and officers of

9 the national government are hereby authorized to loan or transfer such apparatus or 10 supplies as may be needed by the PDUS and to assign employees on detail or secondment for duty therein. For the purpose of promotion or other personnel transactions, service in the university either by uniformed or civilian personnel shall be counted as part of active service in their mother units.

Sec. 19. Promulgation of Implementing Rules. - The Secretary of National

Defense is hereby empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to effectively implement the objectives and purposes of this Act.

Sec. 20. Initial Appropriations. - The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos

(P500,000,000.00) or such sum or sums as may be needed to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be appropriated and shall be carried generally under the DND in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential

issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to have the force and effect of law.

Sec. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,