CA confirms appointment of 15 senior AFP officials

The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of 15 senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The CA committee on national defense has determined that the following were all fit and qualified to get the confirmation for the following appointments:

• Camilo Ligayo - to the rank of Brigadier General
• Marion Sison - to the rank of Brigadier General
• Warlito Limet - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
• Sali Limpahong - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
• Roberto Sarmiento - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
• Eduardo Domingo - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
• Rey Pasco - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
• Myroade De Leon - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
• Denis Mangcoy - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
• Henry Estoesta - to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
• Fred Correo - to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
• Franklin Rotoni - to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
• Emerson David - to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
• Teodoro Bolanio - to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
• Boyd Amorado - to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy

'Negative net worth'

During the CA deliberation of their appointments, Rotoni was asked by Senator Panfilo Lacson why he had a negative net worth of P2.15 million.

"I asked this question because I can see there are at least two billionaires in the CA. I can see one congressman from Cavite and another one, a senator from Las Pinas. Who knows, depending on your narrative, they may take pity on you and donate a couple of million pesos to get you out of this, I would say, fix," Lacson said in jest.

The senator said Rotoni has P5.6 million total liabilities and P2.5 million total assets.

"I am not [denying] that I have a negative net worth in my SALN. It is the result of a housing loan I took up and I computed it based on the total amount I will pay against my assets. Basically that’s negative net worth," Rotoni said in response.

Lacson asked if the captain would like to make a plea to the lawmakers to help him.

"I can live within my means, sir. There’s no worry for the members of the CA," Rotoni replied.

Lacson congratulated Rotoni and Senator Risa Hontiveros also lauded the captain's response.

"Sobrang kagalang-galang. I was really moved doon sa sagot ni Captain Rotoni. 'Yung sinabi nilang living within his means isa sa pinakamahalaga at kahanga-hangang katangian ng ating officers and gentlemen in the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Hontiveros said.

"'Yung sinabi po ninyo, Captain, ay isang magandang paalala po, huwaran po sa ating lahat na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno," she added. —KG, GMA News