Senate hails ad interim appointment of 17 AFP officers
SEVERAL senators expressed strong support for yesterday’s appointment of several members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, concurrent chairperson of the Commission on Appointments (CA) presided over a hybrid plenary session to confirm the ad interim appointments of 17 general and flag officers of the AFP.
Senator Ramon Bong Revilla jr. said the AFP’s role during the last May 9, 2022 elections have been “very crucial” as they recognized the important role of the AFP in the success of the last national elections during the said deliberations.
Revilla pointed out that the high voter turnout and the low election-related incidents during the last polls could be attributed to the security measures that the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) had implemented.
“Their tireless service and their dedication are to thank for the success of this very important democratic exercise,” Revilla said.
For his part, Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa pointed out that the said offices led by AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff Anthony Reyes have been diligently performing their combat functions to ensure the country’s peace and order and were also involved in projects and programs in improving the lives of the grassroots.
The AFP officials whose appointments were confirmed are Adonis Arial Orio to the rank of Brigadier General; Wilbur Mamawag to the rank of Major General; Alberto Carlos to the rank of Vice Admiral; William Gonzales to the rank of Lieutenant General; Rommel Anthony Reyes to the rank of Vice Admiral; Glenn Jun Calambuhay to the rank of Brigadier General; Fermin Carangan to the rank of Brigadier General; Araus Robert Musico to the rank of Major General; Ignatius Patrimonio to the rank of Major General; Charlton Sean Gaerlan to the rank of Major General.
Also with confirmed appointments were Renato David to the rank of Rear Admiral; Jonas Lumawag to the rank of Major General; Francisco Tagamolila Jr. to the rank of Commodore; Marvin Licudine to the rank of Brigadier General; Camilo Ligayo to the rank of Major General; Consolito Yecla to the rank of Brigadier General; and Romulo Manuel Jr. to the rank of Major General.
“I am the ‘living witness’ to the efforts they had done in the communities they were assigned, whether in combat or in community building,” Dela Rosa pointed out in the CA hearing.
Meanwhile, the CA, during the session, also approved a motion amending Chapter 2, Section 5 of the rules of the Commission, seeking to include all appointments into the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) under the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Welfare which will be headed soon by Susan Toots Ople, daughter of former Senator Blas Ople. By Camille P. Balagtas and Marlon Purificacion
