CA bypasses AFP official’s promotion after wife’s testimony
Army Brig. Gen. Ranulfo Sevilla at the Senate for his confirmation hearing on March 12, 2024. (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday bypassed Ranulfo Sevilla’s promotion as brigadier general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the opposition filed by his wife Tessa Luz Reyes-Sevilla.
“He was bypassed. Sen. Risa Hontiveros really didn’t want it [his confirmation]. It’s not enough for her that Sevilla has promised to provide for his family. I think what they want is to put everything in writing or contract,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino in an ambush interview on Tuesday.
“So to give it more time for the documentation to be completed, they moved to bypass him. He has to come back for his consideration,” he added.
Sevilla’s wife earlier disclosed the allegedly harrowing instances she and her children endured at the hands of her “abusive” husband.
‘Back to colonel’
In a separate ambush interview, Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, chairperson of the CA panel on national defense, said Sevilla would be “back to his rank as colonel” given the congressional body’s ruling.
“Hindi na nya magamit ‘yung one star niya so he’ll be back to his rank as colonel as bypassed siya ngayon. So hopefully ay ma-reappoint siya ni [President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos para] ita-tackle na po natin siya,” said Romualdo.
(He won’t be able to use his one star, so he’ll be back to his rank as colonel as he’s bypassed now. Hopefully, President Marcos will reappoint him so we can tackle [his promotion] again.)
Romualdo said he is hoping that Sevilla can “resolve his issues.”
Apart from physical abuse, Tessa claimed Sevilla is committing adultery. She likewise noted Sevilla’s “insufficient” and sometimes non-provision of support to her and their children.
