Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), secured the approval of the Commission on Appointments (CA) for his promotion to a full-pledged general on Wednesday, September 15.
Fautino obtained his fourth star less than two months prior to his compulsory retirement on November 12, his 56th birthday.
"The AFP leadership is grateful for the Commission on Appointments’ continuous trust and support as we rise through the military ranks taking on higher responsibilities to serve our country," he said.
Faustino, a native of Benguet, is the 56th and incumbent AFP Chief of Staff. He is a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Maringal" Class of 1988.
He is the 10th military chief appointed by President Duterte in the latter's five years as the Commander-in-Chief. It is one official less -- but likely to equal -- former Pres. Gloria Arroyo's 11 Chiefs of Staff in her nine years in office.
Meanwhile, the promotion of 40 other military officials were also confirmed by the CA.
Among them were Major Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, commander of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), who is now a lieutenant general (three-star); and Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, Philippine Army Chief of Staff, who was promoted to major general (two-star).
The CA also gave its consent to the nomination of Col. George Joel Lalaquil to brigadier general (one-star); Brig. Gen. Peter Angelo Ramos to major general; and Navy Captain Juan Ilagan to commodore (one star, Philippine Navy).
The CA likewise confirmed the promotion of Rear Adm. Adeluis Bordado, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, to vice admiral (three star); and of Brig. Gens. Robert Velasco, Inocencio Pasaporte, and Augusto Gaite.
Twenty-four Philippine Army colonels, three Philippine Navy captains, and a Marine colonel also got confirmation of their promotions.
Also confirmed were the promotions of Col. Perpetuo Tan Jr. from the Veterinary Corps, Col. Jesus Francisco Torbela from the Corps of Professors, and Col. Rene Tambago from the Chaplain Service.
Faustino said that the promotion of military officers signify the AFP's "longstanding commitment towards fortifying professionalism which contributes in the effective and efficient performance of its mandate."
"We shall prove to the Filipino people that we are worthy of living up to the ranks bestowed upon us by the national government," the AFP Chief noted.