News
CA confirms appointments of 7 legislator-reservists, 2 others
The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, March 7, confirmed the appointments of seven lawmaker-reservists and two other military officials to the rank of Colonels in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)
The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, March 7, confirmed the appointments of seven lawmaker-reservists and two other military officials to the rank of Colonels in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
This decision came after CA national defense recommended their appointment without any question nor objection.
Seven members of the Congress were promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to the rank of Colonel, the following are: House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez; House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas; CA National Defense committee chair and Cavite 5th District Representative Roy Loyola; Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia; Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao 1st District Representative Bai Sandra Sema; and Senators Loren Legarda and Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, Loyola, Garcia, and Sema were appointed to the Philippine Army (PA), while Alvarez was assigned to Philippine Navy-Marines; Legarda to Philippine Air Force; and Fariñas to Judge Advocate General Service.
Meanwhile, two other military officials—Major Gen. Rene Glen Paje and Col. Agabas—also got a nod from the CA.
Senator Gregorio Honasan moved their confirmation during the plenary. The motion was seconded by CA vice chairman and San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora.
“These are the best and brightest that the august chamber can offer the Philippines,” Zamora was quoted as saying in a Rappler report.
Under Republic Act (RA) 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, elected official appointees or presidential appointees may be commissioned in the Reserve Force “subject to the existing AFP rules and regulations.”
This law also mandates the “utilization of the Reserve Force in times of emergency to meet threats to national security” through mobilization.
