AFP generals' promotions affected by Senate tension, spox says

At least five generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been affected by delays in their confirmation hearings amid tensions in the Senate, an official said Tuesday.

“It has come to our attention, meron nga po five na generals from the AFP who are affected po yung kanilang confirmation doon po sa schedule that would be given para po ma-confirm na sila,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said at a press briefing.

(It has come to our attention, there are five generals from the AFP whose schedule of confirmation are affected.)

“So this is our hope at this point in time na sana nga po ay matuloy na po itong confirmation hearing for them. We are awaiting guidance from the proper agency to inform us, sa kanila na matutuloy na nga po itong confirmation na ito,” she added.

(So this is our hope at this point in time that the confirmation hearing for them will proceed. We are awaiting guidance from the proper agency to inform us and them.)

Padilla said the affected officers are assigned to newly created AFP units and hold various positions and ranks.

Asked about the AFP's message regarding the situation, Padilla stressed that the military remains committed to professionalism and political neutrality.

“Mananatili pong professional ang inyong Armed Forces. Non-partisan ang aming institution at sumusuporta po tayo sa mga legal na proseso, habang patuloy po tayong nakatuon and focused sa aming pangunahing tungkulin, which is ang pagtanggol ng ating bayan at ang paglilingkod po sa sambayanang Pilipino,” she said.

(Your Armed Forces will remain professional. Our institution is non-partisan and we support legal processes, while we continue to be committed and focused on our primary duty, which is to defend our country and serve the Filipino people.)

“And in all these po, we remain to be a team player with all other agencies. So it is our hope na matuloy na nga din po itong confirmation hearing,” she added.

“And in all these, we remain a team player with all other agencies. So it is our hope that this confirmation hearing will also proceed.)

The Senate held no session on Monday after members of the majority skipped the proceedings following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Minority bloc’s Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said there were pending business at the Senate that needed to be acted upon.

“We have two third-reading bills here today, or three. And two of them happened to be citizenship bills for our Philippine teams,” Zubiri earlier said.

“Mahalaga dito yung sa CA (Commission on Appointments) kasi meron palang mga generals that are up for promotion, na darating na yung birthday nila. Kung hindi magko-convene yung CA, kawawa naman sila. Naapektuhan pa yung promotion nila,” he added.

(The matter regarding the CA (Commission on Appointments) is important because there are actually generals up for promotion whose birthdays are coming up. If the CA does not convene, it would be unfair to them. Their promotions are being affected.)

The Commission on Appointments is composed of members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Under Article VI, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the Senate president serves as ex-officio chairperson of the powerful bicameral body. — RSJ, GMA News