Republic Act No. 7439

Whenever the number of officers in the grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN) in the Armed Forces of the Philippines exceeds at least ten percent (10%) of the number authorized by existing law, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense, may declare as additional promotional vacancies to the grade of Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN) a number not to exceed thirty-three percent (33%) of the excess number of officers in the said grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN).

The selection of officers in the grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN) who will be promoted to the next higher grade and occupy the additional promotional vacancies under this Act shall be made in accordance with the provisions of existing laws on promotions to the grade of Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN).

The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be sourced out of the savings from the appropriations of the Armed Forces for the current year. Thereafter, the sums necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual request for appropriations of the Armed Forces in the general appropriations bill to be submitted to Congress.

The President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense, shall prescribe the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.

All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby suspended until June 30, 1994.

This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier, and shall cease to have any effect after June 30, 1994.