Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday, July 1, said the choice of the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rests solely with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the retirement of Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. draws near.

Brawner, who was appointed top military official on July 21, 2023, is set to retire this July 21 after completing the fixed three-year term for the AFP Chief of Staff under Republic Act No. 11939, or “An Act Further Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the AFP”, which amended Republic Act No. 11709, the law that set a fixed term for key military officials.

“That matter is for the decision of the President. The choice of the Chief of Staff is unique among all the positions in the Armed Forces. We will wait for the President's decision. We will all wait for the President's decision,” Teodoro said on the sidelines of the 79th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Republic Act No. 11939, which took effect in 2023, grants the AFP Chief of Staff a fixed three-year term unless earlier terminated by the President. The law was enacted to promote continuity in military leadership and shield key positions from frequent changes, known as the revolving door practice.

Teodoro refused to reveal whether he has a personal recommendation for the country's next military chief.

“This process is between the President and the Secretary of National Defense. It is a privilege, so it cannot be discussed,” he said.

Even as he kept silent on the selection process, Teodoro said the next AFP chief must be capable of sustaining the reforms and gains achieved under Brawner's leadership.

“Succession is very important. You must choose somebody who will build on and continue General Brawner's legacy,” he said.

He said Brawner set “a very high standard” through his leadership in both domestic and international engagements, as well as in managing the military.

“The standard shown by General Brawner is very high, whether in the local or international arena, in the overall management of the joint AFP, in helping carry out the reforms that need to be done, and in the transition from solely internal security operations to territorial defense,” Teodoro said.

The AFP has been shifting its focus from decades of internal security operations against communist and local terrorist groups toward external and territorial defense as tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) continue.

Under Brawner’s command, the military also accelerated modernization efforts, strengthened defense partnerships with allies, and expanded joint military exercises.