Lawmakers condole with AFP spox after dad passes away before CA nod

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Monday condoled with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgardo Arevalo, whose father passed away while the former was awaiting his confirmation.

Before Senator Panfilo Lacson moved for the confirmation of Arevalo’s appointment during the plenary session of the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Monday, he expressed the body’s condolences to the military official.

“The CA extends our deepest condolences to Maj. Gen. Arevalo. His beloved father just passed away a few minutes ago or while we were waiting to confirm in plenary his ad interim appointment,” Lacson said.

Lacson is one of the vice-chairpersons of the CA’s Committee on National Defense.

The CA then approved the ad interim appointment and nomination of Arevalo and 14 other senior AFP officials shortly after.

Before the CA plenary session ended, Senator Joel Villanueva also extended his condolences to Arevalo, who is also the concurrent commander of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

“Let me take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathies to our soldier Gen. Arevalo. Nakikiramay po kami,” he said.[ac]