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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson hails Palace for upholding rule of law in AFP leadership

Lacson hails Palace for upholding rule of law in AFP leadership

Published May 16, 2021 11:12 am

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday commended Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for upholding the rule of law in naming a new commanding general for the Philippine Army.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, noted that the appointment of Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, to replace Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., is in compliance with Section 4 of Republic Act 8186.

“I thank and commend Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for rectifying an oversight in appointing Lt. Gen. Faustino, and for their adherence to Section 4 of R.A. 8186,” Lacson said in a statement.

Last March, Lacson questioned the appointment of Faustino as army chief in an acting capacity saying he is not qualified for the position as stated under the law.

Lacson, who is also vice chairman of the Committee on National Defense of the Commission on Appointments (CA), further noted that Faustino is retiring in November 2021.

Under Sec. 4 of RA 8186, “except for the Chief of Staff of the AFP, no officer shall be assigned/designated to the aforementioned key positions (including major service commanders) or promoted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore or higher if he has less than one (1) year of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.”

“Under the said law, Lt. Gen. Faustino is not eligible to head a major service command of the AFP as he has less than one year of active service remaining prior to reaching the age of compulsory retirement,” the senator explained.

“That said, let me repeat what I said last March when I brought up the issue at the Commission on Appointments: I have nothing against Lt. Gen. Faustino. While he may be considered the most competent, he is not qualified because there’s a law saying he’s not qualified,” the lawmaker stressed.

“Between the memorandum issued by the Executive Secretary and the law, it is the law that should take precedence,” added the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday, May 15 confirmed the promotion of Centino—a former Northern Mindanao infantry division commander—as the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Centino is former commander of the army’s 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao and belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maringal Class of 1988.

Related Tags

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) philippine army Maj. Gen. Andres Centino ping lacson
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