Dela Rosa calls for closure of Senate debate on ROTC bill in Philippines
Senator Ronald dela Rosa has requested the Senate to close the debate on Senate Bill No. 2034, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act. He stated that the bill has been thoroughly reviewed and discussed since its passage in the House in December 2022. Dela Rosa, the bill's principal author, emphasized that the measure has received significant attention during interpellation sessions from August 2023 to January 2025. He noted that it aligns with national security and educational goals and has support from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The ROTC program was previously abolished after the death of a student in 2001, which led to the enactment of the NSTP Act, allowing students to choose between ROTC and other service components.