Malacañang promotes Pacquiao to lieutenant colonel

For earning the recognition as one of the world's finest boxers, Malacañang has commissioned Sarangani congressman Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao as a lieutenant colonel in the military’s reserve force. Acting Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc on Friday said the papers for the commissioning of Pacquiao was signed by Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa on the authority of President Benigno Aquino III, the military’s commander-in-chief. The commissioning of Pacquiao took effect on September 21, said Cabunoc, adding that the promotion was based on the recommendation of the Army, where Pacquiao previously served as a reserve Senior Master Sergeant. Pacquiao's promotion was recommended by Army chief Lt. Gen. Ortiz based on the endorsement of his subordinates, particularly Col. Regidor dela Cruz, the commander of the Regional Community Defense Force in Metro Manila. Cabunoc said the proposal for Pacquiao’s promotion “easily passed through the military bureaucracy within a year" because he is “recognized as a hero among soldiers and the Filipino people as a whole." For his part, Ortiz said: “I am proud that Congressman Pacquiao has finally been commissioned as an officer. He is a leader and a man of influence in his own right, making him as one of the first examples of heroism and love of country." Meanwhile, Cabunoc said Pacquiao’s commissioning was based on the provisions of Republic Act 7077, otherwise known as the AFP Reservist Act of 1991. Pacquiao was first enlisted in the Army reserve force with the rank of sergeant on April 1, 2006 on the recommendation of Brig. Gen. Alexander Yano, who used to be a brigade commander in Sarangani. Yano served as Armed Forces chief before retiring in 2009. Six months after his enlistment, Pacquiao was promoted to the next rank of technical sergeant and on Oct. 7, 2007, and then he was promoted to master sergeant. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant on May 4, 2009. Military officials had reservations on promoting him to the officers’ rank as this requires a college degree. But Pacquiao’s honorary doctorate degree on humanities conferred by the Southwestern University in Cebu on Feb. 18, 2009, served the purpose, and also his election as Sarangani congressman in May last year, said Cabunoc. “He has an honorary degree, that’s recognized… as well as his being an elected official," said Cabunoc. — LBG, GMA News