At least five 3-star generals are to be interviewed Friday
at the office of President Aquino as part of the selection process for the
replacement of outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff
Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.
On Wednesday, the Board of Generals (BOG) led by Catapang submitted names of the candidates to the President. They were Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, Western Command (Westcom) commander Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, and Central Command's (Centcom) Lt. Gen. Nicanor Vivar.
On Wednesday, the Board of Generals (BOG) led by Catapang submitted names of the candidates to the President. They were Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, Western Command (Westcom) commander Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, and Central Command's (Centcom) Lt. Gen. Nicanor Vivar.
Catapang, who is reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 shortly, is
expected to transfer the command responsibility of the AFP to his successor on
July 10.
Visaya and Iriberri were classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class "Matikas" 1983, while Delgado, Vivar and Lopez belong to PMA "Sandigan" Class '82.
Visaya and Iriberri were classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class "Matikas" 1983, while Delgado, Vivar and Lopez belong to PMA "Sandigan" Class '82.
Aside from Catapang, Delgado and Iriberri, the three other BOG members are AFP
Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) Maj.
Gen. Edgar Fallorina and Navy chief Vice Admiral Jesus Milan.
After their interview with Aquino, the five senior officers will attend the AFP
command conference at Camp
Aguinaldo
In the past weeks, both active and retired officers could only speculate if Aquino was going to again use the "revolving door policy" in selecting the next military chief despite his repeated statements that he will appoint one who will serve beyond his term, which is to end in June next year.
"Knowing the President, he doesn't want to tolerate the 'revolving door policy' that his predecessor had abused. He is allergic to the practice. He wants to be the opposite," a senior officer told InterAksyon.com.
The officer holds star rank, but declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak on the matter.
On some occasions in the past, President Aquino had said he wants younger officers to lead the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Meanwhile, observers are saying the race for the post of AFP chief may be focused on the three-cornered contest between Visaya, Delgado and Iriberri.
But, in principle, both Iriberri and Delgado are already disqualified if Aquino's yardstick to appoint a younger officer prevails, because the two have less than a year remaining in service.
In the past weeks, both active and retired officers could only speculate if Aquino was going to again use the "revolving door policy" in selecting the next military chief despite his repeated statements that he will appoint one who will serve beyond his term, which is to end in June next year.
"Knowing the President, he doesn't want to tolerate the 'revolving door policy' that his predecessor had abused. He is allergic to the practice. He wants to be the opposite," a senior officer told InterAksyon.com.
The officer holds star rank, but declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak on the matter.
On some occasions in the past, President Aquino had said he wants younger officers to lead the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Meanwhile, observers are saying the race for the post of AFP chief may be focused on the three-cornered contest between Visaya, Delgado and Iriberri.
But, in principle, both Iriberri and Delgado are already disqualified if Aquino's yardstick to appoint a younger officer prevails, because the two have less than a year remaining in service.
This gives Visaya the edge, because his mandatory retirement is in December
2016.
Visaya is considered the "dark horse". He became a member of the President's "troubleshooter group" and was appointed commander of the 4th Infantry Division after the President sacked former Maj. Gen. Nestor Añonuevo after the near slay of Guingoog City Mayor Ruth Guingona by NPA rebels.
Visaya is considered the "dark horse". He became a member of the President's "troubleshooter group" and was appointed commander of the 4th Infantry Division after the President sacked former Maj. Gen. Nestor Añonuevo after the near slay of Guingoog City Mayor Ruth Guingona by NPA rebels.
Just recently, Aquino promoted Visaya to three-star general, which some
quarters in the defense and military reportedly tried to delay in connection
with the race for the military top post.
Generals who knew the President very well said Aquino values friendship and trust very much when it comes to security matters involving him and his family.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin used to command the Presidential Security group at the time of the late former president Corazon Aquino, which coincided with a series of coup d'etat actions by rebel soldiers that put the presidency at serious risk.
Gazmin is seen today as being capable of playing favorites in the appointment of senior officers, but he has consistently denied this.
Iriberri is considered Gazmin's protege. He served as the secretary's Senior Military Adviser (SMA) and spokesman. But Iriberri is facing criminal and administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman. The complainant is seeking a six-month preventive suspension against him.
Delgado also served with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the Cory administration, and was for a time the chief security aide of presidential sister TV host Kris Aquino.
Generals who knew the President very well said Aquino values friendship and trust very much when it comes to security matters involving him and his family.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin used to command the Presidential Security group at the time of the late former president Corazon Aquino, which coincided with a series of coup d'etat actions by rebel soldiers that put the presidency at serious risk.
Gazmin is seen today as being capable of playing favorites in the appointment of senior officers, but he has consistently denied this.
Iriberri is considered Gazmin's protege. He served as the secretary's Senior Military Adviser (SMA) and spokesman. But Iriberri is facing criminal and administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman. The complainant is seeking a six-month preventive suspension against him.
Delgado also served with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the Cory administration, and was for a time the chief security aide of presidential sister TV host Kris Aquino.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/113492/pnoy-set-to-interview-5-ranking-military-officers-for-top-afp-post
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