The Commission on Appointments (CA) has approved in a plenary session the ad interim appointments and nominations of 32 generals/flag officers and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The CA's Committee on National Defense approved the promotion of the following generals and flag officers during a plenary session:
Dennis G. Estrella to the rank of Major General
Joseph C. Flores to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
Fernando M. Reyeg to the rank of Lieutenant General
Angelo S. Guzman to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
Diosdado G. Caluya Jr. to the rank of Commodore
Vincent J. Sibala to the rank of Commodore
Felipe F. Bautista to the rank of Commodore
Jimmy D. Larida to the rank of Major General
Francisco G. Tagamolila Jr. to the rank of Rear Admiral
Romulus Joseph P. Canieso to the rank of Brigadier General
Pedro C. Balisi Jr. to the rank of Major General
Ferdinand L. Marcelino to the rank of Brigadier General
Eric A. Gachalian to the rank of Brigadier General
Joe Anthony C. Orbe to the rank of Rear Admiral
Roy Anthony O. Derilo to the rank of Brigadier General
Darwin F. Hernandez to the rank of Brigadier General
Constancio Arturo M. Reyes Jr. to the rank of Commodore
Alfonso F. Torres Jr. to the rank of Vice Admiral
Luis Rex D. Bergante to the rank of Lieutenant General
Roy Vincent T. Trinidad to the rank of Rear Admiral
BGen. Leonardo I. Peña to the rank of Major General
Gulliver L. Señires to the rank of Major General
Col. Jesus Jeffrey Grapa, PA to the rank of Brigadier General
Col. Jamel P. Samonte, PA to the rank of Brigadier General
Roman M. Dioso to the rank of Brigadier General
Danilo D. Benavides to the rank of Major General
BGen. Francis Anthony M. Coronel to the rank of Major General
Charlemagne F. Batayola Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
Emilio G. Orio Jr. to the rank of Commodore
RADM. Caesar Bernard Valencia to the rank of Vice Admiral
BGen. Thad Rufino P. Candelario to the rank of Major General
Col. Ferdinand Geminic Ramirez, PA to the rank of Brigadier General
Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. expressed his full support to the 32 strong men in uniform who have repeatedly stood by the line of fire in the faithful fulfillment of their sworn duty to our flag and nation.
"Marami sa inyo ang naging utak sa likod ng mga pag-supil sa terorismo, droga at kriminalidad (Many of you were the brains behind the fight against terrorism, drugs and criminality). With your quick-thinking and decisive actions, the enemies of the state were brought to justice," Revilla said.
"Accept the appreciation and recognition of a grateful nation for all that you’ve done and continue to do for our country even at great risk to your lives and that of your families," he stressed.
"In the same vein, as we offer our snappy salute to you and the decades of public service between each one of you, know the challenge posed on all of you today: to protect the people and secure the State with honor, service and patriotism," he added.
Dela Rosa detailed how the life of a soldier is never an easy one and how it's marked by self-sacrifice, benevolence and deep love of one’s country and people.
"No amount of material wealth could ever surpass the greatest honor of being the staunch protector of our nation from the abysmal trap of destruction and turmoil," he said.
He said that every sweat, tear and blood of a soldier is his offering to each Filipino and the greatest joy and reward of being a warrior is to see the country enjoying the fruits of liberty and prosperity.
"Taas-noo akong sumasaludo sa ating mga magigiting na kasundaluhan na patuloy na nag-aalab ang puso para sa ating Inang Bayan (I salute our brave soldiers whose hearts continue to burn for our motherland)," he said.
"I join this august chamber as we confirm the appointments/nominations of our distinguished military officers today. May this new beginning mark another quest of excellence and gallantry," he added.