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 assist both Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff in performing their respective functions in providing intelligence, operational, and logistical reports.^[1]He or She is appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.^[2]

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 Personnel J1, Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence J2, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations J3, Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics J4, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics and Information Systems, J6, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7, Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training and Doctrine, J8, Deputy Chief of Staff for Retirees and Reservists Affairs, 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 coordination all the functions of the staffs.^[3] 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 Deputy Chief of Staff although he is not doing the function but he wanted him to report to 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 Philippine Armed Forces.^[4]

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 were deferred.^[5]

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 AFP Chief of Staff upon the pleasure the President of the Philippines.^[6]