The powerful bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday, May 23, confirmed the appointments of 50 ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Senate President and Commission on Appointments (CA) Chairperson Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri leads the CA in confirming the ad interim appointment of 50 general/flag and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo)
Lt. General Charlton Sean M. Gaerlan, deputy chief of staff of the AFP, and Maj. General Patriach Robinson P. Fel led the list of confirmed AFP officers.
Their confirmation was formalized by the banging of the gavel by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, concurrent CA chairman, during the Commission’s plenary session at the Senate session hall.
Confirmed as Brigadier General’s were Leo Edward Y. Caranto, Orlando D. Edralin, Ulpiano T. Olarte, Alvin V. Luzon, Patricio Ruben P. Amata and Rey B. Alemaia.
Juario C. Marayag was confirmed as Commodore.
The confirmation hearing of the nomination of Antonio C. Rota Jr. was deferred because CA Deputy Majority Leader Senator Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito wanted him to be present in next week’s CA hearing.
Confirmed either as Colonels or Navy Captains were Michael G. Samson, Ritzaann M. Jovellanos, Elmer J. Villanueva, Ashley N. Pastor, Paul Anthony V. Aviquivil, Joel G. Salaguinto, Vincent D. Mauricio, Ronald P. Lacbain, Michael Deon S. Costes, Emmanuel S. Degal, Luzmindo N. Mamauag Jr.,
Christopher M. Mendoza, Bienvenido R. Hindang Jr. Jesus T. Diocton, Jayson A. Manaligod, Vito Minlo V. Sarmiento, Christopher B. Pablo, Alvin Jay A. Capinguian, Maricris Q. Castro, Eric G. Alcera, Wilfredo B. Borgonia, Benjamin B. Pajarito Jr., Victoriano M. Seno, Antonio R. Lalisan II, Dominic B. Benauro, Rogelio F. Lachica Jr.,
Daniel P. Tanjuan, Cyrus B. Mendoza, Rodolfo N. Mangaya Jr., Ma. Cherry Pie M. Fernandez, Kris B. Abad, Abraham G. Gemora, Ralph Y. Hibionada, Edward R. Cervantes, Francis L. Daniel Nasula A, Sajili, Gaylord H. Santos, Benito Noel M. R Rivera, and Joseph Jeremias Cirilo D. Dator.
During the committee hearing, Gaerlan, a Marines commandant, told Ejercito that Chinese Coast Guard vessels moving around the Kalayaan group of islands guarded by the AFP have been "very hostile."
Gaerlan said there is a "continuous harassment" at the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), particularly when there are news of conflicts between the Philippines and China.
These two countries are at odds on the territorial ownership of the West Philippine Sea.
Gaerlan said Navy supply ships usually attempt to go to the damaged BRP Sierra Madre but are harassed or blocked. Such supply entails dangerous maneuvers when successful, he added.
Ejercito said the good news is that the focus of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos is on the country’s external defense.
He echoed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s pronouncement that the Senate fully supports the AFP’s modernization program.
"Thank you for your services to the country," Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go told the 50 AFP officers.
Representative Ramon Guico, CA vice chairman, said the officers have proven their exemplary professionalism, adding that the country sin good hands.