Promotions of 63 military officers one step closer to confirmation

The promotions of 63 officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are one step away from confirmation after the Commission on Appointments' (CA) Committee on National Defense endorsed their appointments to the plenary.

Initially, CA Majority Leader Luis Raymund Villafuerte made the motion to endorse the AFP officers to the plenary. It was seconded by Senator Risa Hontiveros, but she wanted to exempt Colonel Caesar Almer Candelaria of the Medical Corps due to his inclusion in the list of respondents in the fatal hazing case of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.

The CA panel suspended the hearing due to Hontiveros' manifestation.

Upon its resumption, CA Committee on National Defense Chairman Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said the panel always considers the manifestations made by its members to any appointments, and after a short discussion he thanked the senator for keeping an open mind and giving consideration for the appeal to Candelaria's appointment.

After the CA panel's discussion, Hontiveros said she considered turning her original manifestation to defer the confirmation of Calendaria's appointment but "out of consideration to the appeal" of Romualdo, she said she will only seek to put on record her opposition to the promotion "as a clear and strong sign to the Dormitorio family who are still pursuing justice for their son."

Her manifestation also seeks to send a "clear signal and desire that such a death may never happen again," Hontiveros added.

Apart from Candelaria's appointment, the following promotions were also endorsed to the CA plenary:

1. Nanette Provideo to the rank of Colonel, Medical Administrative Corps
2. Amador Ragotero Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Dental Service
3. May Argamosa to the rank of Colonel, Nurse Corps
4. Maria Cristina Villarias to the rank of Colonel, Nurse Corps
5. Ami Faderogao to the rank of Colonel, Nurse Corps
6. Primo Daquioag Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
7. Roberto Go Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
8. Randy Pagunuran to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
9. Alexander Arbolado to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
10. Maria Victoria Blancaflor to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
11. Rodrigo Marinas Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
12. Aldrin Orejudos to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
13. Jose Navarro Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
14. Nida Cuaresma to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
15. Jason Saldua to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
16. Emmanuel Hermosilla to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
17. Renato Narag to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
18. Primo Tavares to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
19. Romeo Marana III to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
20. Tertuliano Pinggal Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
21. Jose Taniegra to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
22. Manuel Valdez IV to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
23. Raymundo Rosario, to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
24. Benedicto de Vera to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
25. Lawrence Naldoza to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
26. Alexander Ogoy to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
27. John Andrada to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
28. Giovani Bermudo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
29. Ray Tiongson to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
30. Oliver Alvior to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
31. Edralin Poblete to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
32. Lourdes Guevarra to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
33. Lee Sarpamones to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
34. Socrates Daza to the rank of Commodore
35. Nerio Zabala to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
36. Fara Krishna Candelaria to the rank of Colonel, Corps of Professors
37. Marita Rhodora Penequito to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
38. Leonor Bernabe to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
39. Luidergar Casis to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
40. Rommel Perena to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
41. Wilfredo Manalang III to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
42. Michael Lemi to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
43. Carlo Ferrer to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
44. Jeffrey Villarosa to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
45. Ronald Alex Asuncion to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
46. Ronnie Regondola to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
47. Jerry Paneda to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
48. Ralph de Mesa to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
49. Ronald Mangahas to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
50. Gabriel Viray III to the rank of Major General
51. Llewillyn Banaag to the rank of Brigadier General
52. Vicente Mark Anthony Blanco III to the rank of Brigadier General
53. Francis Marlone Wong to the rank of Brigadier General
54. Donn ANthony Miraflor to the rank of Rear Admiral
55. Doroteo Jose Jalandoni to the rank of Brigadier General
56. Steve Solon to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines (Reserve)
57. Joannis Leonardi Dimaano to the rank of Major General
58. Romeo Jerome Dirilo to the rank of Brigadier General
59. Francis Raymund Martin Yulo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines (Reserve)
60. Giovanni Franza to the rank of Brigadier General
61. Jose Demar Pauly to the rank of Brigadier General
62. Carlo Lagasca to the rank of Commodore

—KBK, GMA News