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. The Deputy Chief of Staff assists both the Chief of Staff and the Vice-Chief of Staff in performing their respective functions in providing intelligence, operational, and logistical reports. The Deputy Chief of Staff is appointed by the president of the Philippines upon the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The Deputy Chief of Staff also serves as the director of the Joint Staffs, where they command the Joint Staff composing of the following staffs for various posts: the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance, J6; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training and Doctrine, J8; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Force Development, J9; and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10.
Prior to Filipino-American War, European-trained General Antonio Luna was selected by President Emilio Aguinaldo as assistant secretary of war and commanding general of Republican Army. He organized his staff and selected Visayas-born Brigadier General Venancio Concepcion as chief of general staff to put coordination all the functions of the General Staffs and units. After the war was lost no Filipino Army exists until 1935 when Philippine Commonwealth Army was organized in preparation for its independence in 10 years period. Initial President Manuel Quezon selected Major 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. Delos Reyes was appointed as acting until Santos is available but Quezon appointed Santos as The Deputy Chief of Staff although he is not doing the function but he wanted him to report to the Headquarters of the Army.
After World War II Brigadier General Macario Peralta Jr., war hero and veteran, was appointed by President Manuel Roxas to be The Deputy Chief of Staff. He is the first on the post on the modern Armed Forces of the Philippines.
On June 19, 2020, under the DND Order no. 174, the title of Chief of Staff was renamed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, while the Vice-Chief of Staff as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and The Deputy Chief of Staff as Chief of the Joint Staff. Although the usage of these titles was deferred.
Under the organization of the AFP, The Deputy Chief of Staff holds a rank of 3-star general officer rank, either lieutenant general or vice admiral. 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. Under the terms of the Republic Act No. 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. The Deputy Chief of Staff is also eligible to be appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon the pleasure of the president of the Philippines.
The following list shows the officeholders of The Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP: