Brother of Arroyo critic is new Navy chief - DND

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has named Rear Admiral Ferdinand Golez as the incoming Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) of the Philippine Navy, a statement from the Defense department said Tuesday. Golez, a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1976, is the younger brother of Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, a former national security adviser-turned critic of President Arroyo. Roilo, incidentally, is also a product of the United States Naval Academy class of 1970. Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro said Golez would take over the post of Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag on August 2. Calunsag reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on that day. Earlier, Teodoro and the Armed Forces Board of Generals recommended Golez with two other candidates: Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag and Rear Admiral Geronimo Defensor. All three belong to the same PMA class. Defensor is a cousin of former AFP chief Benjamin Defensor and administration Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago. Armed Forces chief Alexander Yano and Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado are also members of the PMA class of 1976. Teodoro, on the other hand, is an adopted member of the said class. At present, Golez is the commander of the Naval Education and Training Command of the Philippine Navy based in San Antonio, Zambales. He is expected to serve as the Navy Chief until May 16, 2010 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. Prior to his present position, Golez held these significant assignments: assistant chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, N-2 and concurrent Commander of the Naval Intelligence and Security Force (NISF) ; Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N-3; Commander, Patrol Force, Philippine Fleet; Commander, Naval forces Southern Luzon; and Commander, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao. Prior to these, he was Commanding Officer of various Philippine Navy ships among which were; BRP Quezon (PS 70), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS 19), BRP Bagong Lakas (PG 102). Golez has undergone various military education and training, significant of which were: the Naval Command Course at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; the Royal Australian Navy Staff Course in New South Wales, Australia; the Naval Command and Staff Course at the Naval Training Command, Philippine Navy; the Psychological Operations Course in the US Army John F Kennedy Special Warfare School, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and other military training courses. His civilian education include a certificate of Business Management from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia and a Masters in Business Administration candidate in Ateneo de Manila School of Business. He is also a recipient of various military awards, decorations and commendations. Significant of these are four (4) Distinguished Service Stars, one (1) Outstanding Achievement Medal, one (1) Distinguished Navy Cross and several others. Golez is married to the former Shirley Mamaril. He has a daughter, Kristine and two sons, Raymond, a graduate of the US Naval Academy class of 2003, and Jerome. Meanwhile, President Arroyo also approved the ad interim appointment of seven (7) brigadier generals to the next higher rank (major general). * Brig. Gen. Ricardo A David Jr - presently the Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. He was also the chief of AFP Command Center; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, AJ1; and Brigade Commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. * Brig. Gen. Jerry V Jalandoni - currently the deputy chief of staff for Logistics, J4. He was also the Chairman of GHQ Bids & Awards Committee (BAC), a permanent member of the DND BAC and Chairman of the AFP BAC. * Brig. Gen. Roland M Detabali - the incumbent commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army. He also served as Army Internal Auditor; Asst. Division Commander, 2nd Infantry Division; and commander 202 Brigade, Philippine Army. * Brig. Gen. Nestor Z Ochoa - presently the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army. He was the Commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, PA; the Asst. Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division; the Chief of AFP Command Center; and The Internal Auditor, AFP. * Brig. Gen. Johnny B Corcha - is the Commander of Army Support Command (ASCOM). He was also the Asst. Division Commander, 5th Infantry Division; Asst. Division Commander, 3rd Infantry Division; and Asst. Division Commander, 8th Infantry Division. * Maj. Gen. Carlos B Holganza - presently the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Philippine Army. He also served as Chief, Anti-Smuggling Council, Office of the President, RP; the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense; and Commander 1001 Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army. * Brig. Gen. Romeo D Lustestica - currently the deputy chief of staff for Operations, J3. He was also the Asst. Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3; Commander, 201 Infantry Brigade; and the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G-3, Philippine Army. - GMANews.TV