Favoritism still strong in AFP system under Aquino

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 15): Favoritism still strong in AFP system under Aquino

Favoritism in the promotion system at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has remained despite promised reforms and transparency by the commander in chief President Aquino.

Concerned military officers, who requested anonymity, expressed disappointment over the continued malpractice in the promotion system in the 120,000-strong organization, with senior officers being left out in the appointment by junior officers who have “padrinos.”

“The game remains who you know, it’s not what you know,” a senior Army officer told The Tribune.

“They have prostituted the system of seniority, lineal listing and merit system in the organization just to position their favored officers,” the officer added.

The officer cited recent promotions of officers who were junior in the seniority and lineal listing to star-rank positions or 07 positions, including a supposed schoolmate of President Aquino from Ateneo de Manila University and a mistah of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who is an honorary member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1984.

“Worse, you will never know if you are being considered in the promotions because by this time (07 posts) the board that makes the recommendation and submits its shortlist which is confidential. You will just be surprised with the announcement of appointments,” the officer said.

“So, where is transparency there? There are even times when those appointed did not come from the shortlist. That set up only gives room to politicking, lobbying – prostitution of the promotion system,” he added.

Another official based in Camp Aguinaldo said that “padrinos” are not limited to top-ranking AFP and Department of National Defense (DND) officials but also include politicians.

According to the officer, favoritism in the military promotions starts even at the 06 level, meaning full-fledge colonels in the Army and the Air Force and captain for the Navy. Worse, it has spread even to the technical positions in the AFP – to include military lawyers, doctors, among others.

“By this time, those officers who have links with politicians start to ‘maneuver’ to position themselves to key units. They start elbowing others just to get their choice posts,” the officer said.

“Since, the 07 positions are much lower than the number full-pledge colonels in the ranks, many officers, who in most cases are the deserving ones, get displaced, and by-passed even by officers junior than them but have proper connections,” he added.

While both officers admitted to the principle of presidential trust and confidence in the promotions of AFP chief of staff and other top positions in the military organization, they urged the Aquino administration to preserve seniority, lineal listing and merit system in the military promotions to really professionalize the ranks.

“The organization will never be professionalized with this malpractice. Favoritism has no placed in the military, it will only destabilize the ranks,” a source said.

During the earlier months of the Aquino administration, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was accused by former Navy officer Feliciano Angue of favoritism by giving juicy positions to AFP officers who served under him during his active days in the military.

Angue, a member of the controversial PMA Class of 1978 which has former President and now detained Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo as honorary member, was forced to retire.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/12902-favoritism-still-strong-in-afp-system-under-aquino