Army officials lauded House Bill 309 which seeks to reinstate Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) as mandatory for all college male students. The Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, was saying that should the house bill become law, it will provide the military with quality reserve officers. "The implication of this is that we would have a higher quality of reserve officers and enlisted personnel because our base of selection would grow," he further added. He also added that making ROTC mandatory for college students would help promote awareness of the youth’s duty to serve the country in times of need, particularly in war.

House Bill 309 was filled by Rep. Eduardo Gullas before the House committee on national defense to oppose the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 that made ROTC an optional course in college. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, the author of NSTP Act of 2001, strongly resisted the proposal saying that it would run counter to the NSTP law which is projected to demilitarize the student body and encourage civic mindedness.

Under the NSTP Act of 2001, students have the choice of taking up the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) or the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Sen Zubiri called upon the support of all concerned sectors to help him in making the students concentrate on productive activities like reforestation and disseminating public health information. "We should implement the NSTP and go back to its original concept of students’ participation in activities intended for community development where their service and intellect will be relevant," he reiterated. Zuriri furher added that ROTC teaches nothing to students, except following marching orders of screaming and abusive officers and that activity should be best left to persons who choose to become professional soldiers.