The Commission on Appointments’ (CA) Committee on National Defense on Tuesday, March 12 deferred the appointment of Brig. Gen. Ranulfo Sevilla after his estranged wife opposed his ad interim appointment.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri affirmed the CA’s decision on Sevilla, after holding an executive session led by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus “Jayjay” Romualdo.
The panel had ruled that the meeting be held in an executive session in consideration to the “gag” order issued by a Dipolog regional court.
Sevilla is currently Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Special Operations Command at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
His wife, Tessa Luz Reyes-Sevilla, who filed the opposition, tearfully related that the brigadier general physically and mentally abused her and their two children. The official, she also claimed, refused to financially support their children.
Zubiri said they have deferred Sevilla’s appointment pending a written consent that he will provide full support to his children.
The Senate leader said it is imperative for the powerful appointments body to thoroughly assess the character of a nominee, not only soldiers, but even foreign service officers and secretaries of different government agencies.
Zubiri also said the CA committee supported the position of women lawmakers that Sevilla first promise in writing to provide financial support for his children’s education and everyday needs.
“It sends a strong signal to all those that are being appointed here in the Commission on Appointments na tinitignan namin hindi lang ang performance niyo bilang isang kawani ng gobyerno (that we are not just looking into your performance as a public servant). You may be the best, always present for work, napakasipag, napakagaling, pero pag dating po sa (hardworking, excellent but when it comes to) character, moral background of the individual binabantayan din namin yan, dito sa (We also scrutinize that here in the) Commission on Appointments,” Zubiri said.
Speaking to reporters before the scheduled hearing, Mrs. Sevilla said she believes the general does not deserve to be promoted due to his questionable character, recounting the many instances he slapped her and hit her during their marriage and even when she was pregnant.
“He doesn't deserve to be promoted...No amount of sorry or money will make me backdown. Nothing will make us back down. We deserve to be vindicated,” she said.
Meanwhile, the CA confirmed the ad interim appointment of the other nine AFP generals/flag officers
They are:
- Romulo D. Quemado II to the rank of Brigadier General
- Juan A. Gullem to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Mandy T. Libertino to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Ted C. Cerezo Jr. to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Nereo F. Simbahan to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
- Clifford S. Catubigan to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Lemuel E. Espartinez to the rank of Commodore
- Josel J. Zuñiga to the rank of Brigadier General
- Samuel B. Manzano to the rank of Brigadier General