The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the appointments of 50 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, concurrent CA chairman, formally announced their confirmation during the Commission’s plenary session held at the Senate
building in Pasay city today, May 24.
Their confirmation was favorably recommended by Camiguin Congressman Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, chairman of the CA national defense committee, during a committee hearing designed to ascertain their fitness and capability to assume their new posts.
The most senior of the 50 AFP senior officers confirmed was Brigadier General Eugene Mata.
The rest are colonels in the Army, Air Force and Marines while the others are captains in the Navy.
They are:
1. Ronaldo G. Valdez to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
2. Jose Fabian Sperri G. Gotico to the rank of Colonel, PA
3. Ronaldo C. Mateo to the rank of Colonel, PA
4. Randy S. Banaag to the rank of Colonel, PA
5. Rafman S. Altre to the rank of Colonel, PA
6. Charlieben B. Delamide to the rank of Colonel, PA
7. Shahjahan Carl D. Delos Santos to the rank of Colonel, PA
8. Romulus B. Rabara to the rank of Colonel, PA
9. Harold V. Sucayre to the rank of Colonel, PA
10. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr. to the rank of Colonel, PA
11. Emmanuel G. Cabahug to the rank of Colonel, PA
12. Roberto B. Obaob to the rank of Colonel, PA
13. Jo-Ar A. Herrera to the rank of Colonel, PA
14. Joey B. Baybayan to the rank of Colonel, PA
15. Noel B. Escalona to the rank of Captain, PN
16. Aldrin E. Montalvo to the rank of Captain, PN
17. Gaylord H. Santos to the rank of Captain, PN
18. Jeric T. Hechanova to the rank of Captain, PN
19. Vincent C. Castaneda to the rank of Captain, PN
20. Rosie Rey M. Musil to the rank of Captain, PN
21. Julius P. Reyes to the rank of Captain, PN
22. Fidel I. Macatangay to the rank of Colonel, PN-Marines
23. Jasper M. Adrales to the rank of Captain, PN
24. Jorge T. Garcia to the rank of Colonel, PN-Marines
25. Junnifer O. Cantal to the rank of Captain, PN
26. Jonathan P. Hallara to the rank of Colonel, PAF
27. Alvin M. Sevilla to the rank of Colonel, PAF
28. Cecilia B. Frias to the rank of Colonel, PAF
29. Michael Vincent R. Mallari to the rank of Colonel, PAF
30. Lilian Victoria DC. Busto to the rank of Colonel, PAF
31. Aldrich Raymund A. Fernandez to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
32. Emmanuel O. Salmasan to the rank of Colonel, Medical Administrative Corps
33. Edgar O. Gonzales to the rank of Colonel, Dental Service
34. Marlon B. Dayao to the rank of Colonel, Judge, Advocate General Service
35. Elchor P. Caralian to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps (Reserve)
36. Melvin N. Flores to the rank of Colonel, PA
37. Gerard T. Alvaran to the rank of Colonel, PA
38. Alexander D. Banatao to the rank of Colonel, PA
39. Imelda L. Nadala to the rank of Colonel, PA
40. Ronie I. Morimoto to the rank of Colonel, PA
41. John Manuel A. Cortez to the rank of Colonel, PN-Marines
42. Oliver P. Obongen to the rank of Captain, PN
43. Rotessa M. Baylon to the rank of Colonel, PN-Marines
44. Michael Ian I. Gavilan to the rank of Captain, PN
45. Ronald Rey R. Labastida to the rank of Captain, PN
46. Leo Amor A. Vidal to the rank of Captain, PN
47. Jay S. Baquiran to the rank of Colonel, PAF
48. Sadiri R. Tabutol to the rank of Colonel, PAF
49. Bennie B. Demetillo to the rank of Captain, PN
The CA members deferred the confirmation of Col. Melchor Domingo P. Albarracin because they wanted his personal appearance before the committee.
When asked by Rep. Rodante Marcoleta whether the Philippines is capable of resisting armed attack from China, Mata admitted that the country could not defend itself from external threat, particularly China, because of its limited capability.
Asked whether there is a need to amend the 1952 RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Mata replied in the affirmative, adding that its amendment should be to the
best interest of the Philippines.
Marcoleta then asked Musil whether he is penniless because a CA background check on his finances show that he has no cash on hand.
Musil replied that he has at present a wallet and a passbook.
Zubiri thanked the AFP officers for the democratic space that Filipinos now enjoy.
These officers, Zubiri said, face internal and external threats.
He again expressed his thanks for their services to the nation.