Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) is the highest-ranking military officer (except for the President of the Philippines, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief equivalent to a five-star general) and the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including all service branches (Army, Air Force, Navy–Marine Corps) under its command. The position is usually held by a four-star rank of General or Admiral. Its direct equivalent in the US Armed Forces is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Unlike its US counterpart, which is merely supervisory, the Chief of Staff has complete operational control within the military hierarchy and is responsible for the overall operations of the AFP.
| Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | |
Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | |
Incumbent Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PA since July 19, 2023 | |
| Reports to | Secretary of National Defense President of the Philippines |
| Residence | Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines |
| Seat | Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City |
| Appointer | The President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments |
| Term length | 3 years can be extended with the approval of Congress |
| Constituting instrument | Republic Act No. 11939 |
| Formation | December 21, 1935 |
| First holder | Jose de los Reyes |
| Unofficial names | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs |
| Deputy | Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (assistant) The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (administrative and organizational duties) |
| Website | Philippine Armed Forces |
The holder of this position is appointed by, as well as directly reports to the President of the Philippines under the Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution. He executes the President's commands, tactics, operations, plannings, and strategies, as well as serves as the Immediate Adviser to the Secretary of National Defense. He also prescribes directions to all commands (including the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy, the Commanders of the AFP Unified Commands, and the AFP Board of Generals).
The Armed Forces of the Philippines were created as a result of the Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the National Defense Act of 1935. However, the origin of the organization can be traced back to the establishment of the Philippine Constabulary, armed Filipino forces organized in 1901 by the United States to combat the Philippine Revolutionary Army then led by General Emilio Aguinaldo.