Seventy-seven newly promoted general and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took their oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Monday, Feb. 6, the first time that it happened since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Marcos administered the oath of office of the senior officers led by Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, AFP Vice Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Rowen S. Tolentino, Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA); Vice Admiral Toribio D. Adaci Jr., Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN); Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreno, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and Lt. Gen. Efren P. Baluyot, Commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM).
The oath-taking in Malacanang was the first in three years after the military tradition was suspended due to the pandemic, and the first time for Marcos since he was elected as President in June 2022.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the ceremony was a “testament to the respect and full support” of the Commander in Chief to the national leadership of the AFP.
“The act of taking our oath is a spiritual and emotional commitment to do our duty, render service to our nation and people, and uphold the supremacy of civilian authority over the military,” Galvez said.
Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP’s public affairs office, said the military leadership was grateful to the Chief Executive for personally officiating the ceremony, which they see as a sign of his "gratitude and appreciation" to the promotees for their "dedication and contribution in service to the nation.”
Meanwhile, Marcos congratulated the newly promoted officers as he emphasized the AFP’s crucial role in serving and protecting the Filipinos and the nation.
“The AFP has never failed in that mission and I only hope to continue to inspire to keep up the good work and keep the Philippines safe,” he said.