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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CA confirms appointments of Garin, Aguda; promotion of 39 AFP senior officers

CA confirms appointments of Garin, Aguda; promotion of 39 AFP senior officers

Published Oct 1, 2025 04:59 pm

At A Glance

  • The Commission on Appointments (CA), led by Senate President Vicente "Tito" C. Sotto III, gave its nod to the appointments of Department of Energy (DOE) Sec. Sharon Garin and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Sec. Henry Aguda on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The CA also confirmed the appointments and nominations of 39 generals, flag officers and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).


The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, October 1 confirmed the ad interim appointments of Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III immediately approved the nominations of Garin and Aguda when no member of the powerful appointments body objected to it.

As chairman of the CA Committee on Energy, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada endorsed Garin’s appointment saying she “brings with her an impressive blend of academic preparation, professional training, and legislative experience” being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a lawyer, and an MBA graduate from one of Europe’s top business schools.

“She is armed with both the discipline of law and the rigor of finance—qualities that are indispensable in running an agency as technical and crucial as the DOE,” Estrada said.

Estrada said Garin’s record “is clean”: “Her competence is evident. Her commitment to public service is beyond doubt.”

“The energy challenges facing our people are enormous—rising electricity rates, the urgent need for clean and sustainable sources, and the demand for universal access to power. We need a steady hand, a sharp mind, and a strong will at the helm of the DOE. Secretary Sharon Garin has proven that she is more than equal to the task,” Estrada stressed.

On the other hand, Rep. Allan Ty, who chairs the CA panel on information and communications technology, endorsed Aguda whom he believes is capable of facing the country’s challenges in terms of cybersecurity, digital transformation, e-governance, as well as closing the digital gap.

“The appointment of a capable secretary ensures that the DICT can carry out its mandate effectively and safeguard the country’s digital future,” Ty said.

The CA also approved the promotion of 39 officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), namely:

These officers are as follows:

1.        Benecio Aldona to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps (Reserve)

2.        Nelson Aluad to the rank of Brigadier General

3.        Carmelito Pangatungan to the rank of Brigadier General

4.        Larry Batalla to the rank of Brigadier General

5.        Prudencio Iddoba to the rank of Brigadier General

6.        Junjie Tabuada to the rank of Commodore

7.        Glenn Dizon to the rank of Commodore

8.        Arlino Sendaydiego to the rank of Brigadier General

9.        Francisco Cacho to the rank of Commodore

10.  Estelito Lagadia Jr. to the rank of Commodore

11.  Loreto Pasamonte to the rank of Major General

12.  Ewald Manay to the rank of Brigadier General

13.  Omar Orozco to the rank of Brigadier General

14.  Charlie Tiu Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General

15.  Vincent Sibala to the rank of Rear Admiral

16.  Gerardo Jabonalla to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)

17.  Eddie Pilapil to the rank of Brigadier General

18.  Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr. to the rank of Rear Admiral

19.  Marco Buena to the rank of Commodore

20.  Ronel Manalo to the rank of Brigadier General

21.  Frederick Sales to the rank of Brigadier General

22.  Jessie Banastao to the rank of Brigadier General

23.  Manolito Montiel to the rank of Brigadier General

24.  Danilo Estrañero to the rank of Brigadier General

25.  Enstein Calaoa Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General

26.  Antero Narcise to the rank of Brigadier General

27.  Frederick Dedace to the rank of Colonel, Judge Advocate General Service (Reserve)

28.  Yasser Bara to the rank of Brigadier General

29.  Lorenzo Bolor Jr. to the rank of Commodore

30.  Christopher Tampus to the rank of Major General

31.  Ernest John Jadloc to the rank of Brigadier General

32.  Marces Gayat to the rank of Brigadier General

33.  Rey Alemania to the rank of Lieutenant General

34.  Francis Karem Neri to the rank of Brigadier General

35.  Jason Jumawan to the rank of Brigadier General

36.  Michael Banua to the rank of Brigadier General

37.  Michael Odylon Romero to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force (PAF)

38.  Vicente Llave Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force (PAF)

39.  Edmund Paul Delos Santos to the rank of Brigadier General

Related Tags

Commission on Appointments (CA) Sharon Garin Henry Aguda Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP
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