President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12122 into law, which establishes a fixed three-year term for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant unless sooner terminated by the president.
The law, which amends Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9993 or the “Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009,” states that a commandant shall lead the PCG with the rank of Coast Guard Admiral.
The president must appoint the commandant from among the flag officers in the Coast Guard service, must hold a command-at-sea badge, and must have served as a district commander of the PCG.
The law mandates that the three-year term begins upon the signing of the appointment. The commandant will be compulsorily retired upon completion of the term unless relieved earlier by the president.
The House of Representatives approved the legislation on Sept. 19, 2024, and was later amended by the Senate on Jan. 20, 2025.
The House concurred with the amendments on Feb. 5, 2025, before the final approval by President Marcos on Feb. 18, 2025.
The law takes effect immediately upon its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
