AFP Vision 2028: A World-Class Armed Forces, Source of National Pride GENERAL HEADQUARTERS ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City SUBJECT: Freedom of Information Request 17 MAY 2021 TO: Chief, Public Affairs Office Post 1. Reference: STL from that Office with same subject as above and its attachments. 2. _ Above reference seeks pertinent information relating to the query posed by one Mr Sofronio Corral Dulay I! pursuant to Executive Order Nr 02 on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. The following questions were raised and hereinafter quoted: “4. Salary, [ajilowances, other bonuses/monetary incentives (as may be applicable) of a Judge Advocate (Military Lawyer) in the Judge Advocate General Office [sic], from the Probationary 2Lt (Training) to being commissioned as Captain in the AFP. 2. Is the govt hiring now? 3. What are the minimum requirements for eligibility? 4. can military lawyers choose a branch of service to serve under Isic} 5. What training will candidates have to undergo to be commissioned?” 3. The preceding queries will be answered in seriatim. a. — Mandatory Pay_and_Allowances_and_Collateral_Entitlements. Republic Act (RA) Nr 138, as amended by RA Nr 1067 defines, in general, the pay status of personnel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Section 2 thereof provides that “sox military personnel are xxx entitled to receive pay and allowances corresponding to [their] rank or grade xxx." Mandatory Pay and Allowances include base, longevity pay and stipends such as subsistence, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), quarters, clothing, and laundry allowances, rice allowance, incentive pay and other entitlements as may be prescribed by laws and regulations, such as Mid-Year and Year-End Bonuses are likewise given to those eligible. Currently, by virtue of Congress Joint Resolution Nr 1, s. 2018 which authorizes increase in base pay of Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP), the compensation package of MUP is adjusted commensurately. Thus, upon appointment, a Probationary Second Lieutenant (P2LT) shall be entitled to receive the prevailing monthly base pay in the amount of THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX PESOS (PhP38,366.00); thereafter, upon being commissioned as Captain (CPT), such Officer shall receive FIFTY SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO PESOS (PhP56,582.00). The same Joint Resolution, likewise, provides for payment of AFP Core Values: Honor, Service, PatriotismAFP Vision 2028: A World-Class Armed Forces, Source of National Pride Hazard Pay to all military personnel fixed at FIVE HUNDRED FORTY PESOS (PhP540.00) monthly, b. This Office has a continuous hiring process in its thrust to perform its mandate as the legal arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the adviser of the Department of National Defense on legal matters concerning the military. c._ Minimum Requirements for Eligibility. Circular Nr 02, dated 22 August 2014 on Procurement of Officers in the AFP provides that applicants for the Judge Advocate General Service must possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications for admission in the military service. The basic qualifications include: (i) membership in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; (i) must be 25-39 years of age; (if) natural-born Filipino citizen; (iv) of good moral character; (v) with height of not less than 5’0" (152.4cm) but not more than 64” for both male and female; (vi) must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit for active military service; and (vii) must pass the AFP Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT), The same Circular states that the applicant must not possess any of these disqualifications: (i) those who are serving as officers, enlisted personnel, officials or employees in any other capacity in the government or armed forces of any foreign country; (i) those who were convicted for offenses involving moral turpitude in military of civil courts; (iii) convicted in any administrative or criminal case; (iv) those who were separated from the government or civilian service under the following conditions: a. dishonorably discharged; b. as a result of court-martial; ¢. as a result of administrative proceedings; d. for unsatisfactory services; and e. under any condition other than honorable, d. _Assignment_to_Major_ Service Units. Appointed P2LTs and subsequently commissioned CPTs cannot choose which branch of service they are to be assigned; they are, rather, subject to rotation. The latitude of appointment is within the purview of the respective Chiefs of each corps. e. Training required for Technical and Administrative Service (TAS) fficers. Appointed P2LTs of TAS shall not undergo training under the program of instruction of Officer Candidate School (OCS) but shall immediately be required to undertake the Technical and Administrative Service Military Orientation Course (TASMOC) facilitated by AFP Health Service Command (AFPHSC) through the AFP Health Service Education and Training Center (AFPHSETC). TASMOC is designed to provide military orientation to Probationary Officers with emphasis on military and leadership concepts, relevant AFP laws and regulations and TAS-related policies and practices which will enable them to discharge their functions at their respective ‘occupational specialties in the context of military organization. The completion of the TASMOC shall serve as a pre-requisite for Commission in the Regular Force, AFP. 4. The queries are addressed accordingly. FOR THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, AFP: ROfEL L_ TAN Coldtel JAGS (GSC) Théudge Advocate General ‘AFP Core Values: Honor, Service, Patriotism