The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the promotions of five senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), weeks after their confirmation was delayed due to a Senate leadership dispute.
During the proceedings, the commission confirmed the following:
The promotions had originally been scheduled for confirmation on June 1 but were deferred because of the lack of Senate sessions amid chaos over the chamber's leadership.
The five military officers appeared before the CA on June 17, as the body resumed deliberations during a special session of Congress called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marikina Representative Marcy Teodoro attended the hearing and expressed his support for the military officers before the commission voted to confirm their appointments.
The confirmations strengthen the leadership ranks of the AFP as the military continues to pursue modernization efforts and address national security challenges.
The CA, composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened at the Senate plenary hall on Wednesday to act on pending appointments in the military, diplomatic service, and Cabinet.
The commission also confirmed the promotions of other retiring military personnel and took up appointments involving members of the foreign service.
Several senators from the minority bloc, including Senators Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, and Bong Go, attended the continuation of the Senate’s special session despite being absent during the earlier proceedings that resulted in the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President.
Hours before the CA hearing, Senator Joel Villanueva was elected Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the Commission on Appointments. Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian administered Villanueva’s oath of office.
