S E N A T E

S. No. 561

Introduced by Senator Raul S. Roco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Military training under the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for students enrolled in colleges, universities and similar institutions of learning is mandatory pursuant to the provisions of the National Defense Act (Commonwealth Act No. 1) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act (Republic Act No. 7077).

Yet the program as it stands today not only preserves inequality between men and women; it also serves as an added burden to our college students with no real benefits gained.

The fundamental equality between men and women before the law cannot become meaningful should the program continue to be compulsory to "all male students enrolled in the initial baccalaureate degree programs" and merely optional to their female counterparts.

In addition, the program's lofty objectives are not met because the quality of military instruction suffers to a great extent due to the huge strength of ROTC enrollees. Many of them attend the program only to comply with the requirements for graduation. To be sure, ROTC cadets complain that they merely bathe themselves under the scorching heat.

Worse, the existing program encourages graft and corruption. Many have paid handsome fees to obtain passing marks for or secure exemptions from the program. Still others were cheated despite their payments. This makes the program an added burden to the students who could have used both time and resources to more productive academic undertakings.

But we are also cognizant of the need of the Armed Forces to have a base for its expansion. The ROTC program is a fertile ground for AFP reservist.

Viewed in this light, there is reason for the program to be offered optionally to collegiate students regardless of sex. Accordingly, immediate approval of the attached bill is strongly recommended.

RAUL S. ROCO
Senator