19 AFP officers, COA Commissioner get CA nod

Senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) await confirmation of their appointments and promotions by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at the Senate in Pasay City. (INQUIRER.net/Cathy Miranda)

The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the ad interim appointments and nominations of 19 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including newly-installed Navy Chief Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad.

Emperdad was appointed to the post last January after his predecessor, Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado, was sacked over the P16- Billion frigate deal.

READ: Duterte picks Empedrad as Navy flag officer in command

Aside from Empedrad, the CA also confirmed 18 other officers, including nine reserve officers — three of them were incumbent public officials: Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, Davao Oriental Rep. Joey Mayo Almario, and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Tolentino has been appointed to the rank of Brigadier General at the Armed Forces of the Philippines while Almario and Bautista have been recommended for promotions from Lieutenant Colonel to the rank of Colonel at the Philippine Air Force; and from Colonel to the rank Brigadier General of the Philippine Army, respectively.

Below is the full list of the 19 officers confirmed by the CA:

1. Major Gen. Danilo Chad Isleta to the rank of Major General
2. Luis Vincent Tacderas to the rank of the Brigadier General, Philippine Army
3. Joselito Serrano to the rank of Brigadier General, Philippine Army
4. Roberto Ancan, PA to the rank of Brigadier General
5. Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad to the rank of Vice Admiral
6. Del Rosario to the rank of Major General
7. Toribio Adaci Jr. to the rank of Commodore, Philippine Navy
8. Ernesto Torres Jr. to the rank of brigadier General, Philippine Army
9. Antonio Rosario Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
10. Col. Erwin Bernard Neri to the rank of Brigadier General, Philippine Army
11. Col. Alfredo Lupig to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (reserve)
12. Ltc. Joel Mayo Almario to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force (reserve)
13. Col. Gaudencio Cantos III to the rank of colonel, Philippine Army (reserve)
14. BGen. Joel Sergio to the rank of Brigadier General (reserve)
15. Col. Arsenio Andolong to the rank of Colonel, Philippine army (reserve)
16. Col. Herbert Constantine Bautista to the rank Brigadier General, Philippine Army (reserve)
17. Col Enrico Yuzon to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (reserve)
18. Col. Baltazar Catbagan to the rank of Colonel, Philippine army (reserve)
19. Francis Tolentino to the rank of Brigadier General, Armed Forces of the Philippines (reserve)

The CA also confirmed the appointment of Roland Cafe Pondoc as Commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA).

Pondoc’s term will expire on February 02, 2025.                       /kga