The Deputy Chief of Staff is a 3-star General or Admiral that is considered as the third highest ranking position in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Paulino Santos as Chief of Staff but he cannot remove him from his current position as Director of Bureau of Prisons due to the impending transfer of Bilibid Prison out of City of Manila and the undergoing organization of Iwahig and Davao Penal Colonies.

The Deputy Chief of Staff is nominated by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the AFP Board of Generals.

The appointee will also be required to be subject to hearings under the Commission on Appointments in order formally approved in their positions.

11939, The Deputy Chief of Staff has no fixed term length and is subject to mandatory military retirement once they reach the age of 57.