Section 37. Early Retirement Program. —

Within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, any PNP officer or non-commissioned officer may retire and be paid separation benefits corresponding to a position two (2) ranks higher than his or her present rank subject to the following conditions:

1. that at the time he or she applies for retirement, he or she has already rendered at least ten (10) years of continuous government service;

2. the applicant is not scheduled for separation or retirement from the service due to the attrition system or separation for cause;

3. he or she has no pending administrative or criminal case; and

4. he or she has at least three (3) more years in the service before reaching the compulsory retirement age and at least a year before his or her maximum tenure in position.