Ex-Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero confirmed as reserve brigadier general

MANILA, Philippines — Former House Deputy Speaker Michael Odylon “Mikee” Romero was among the senior military officers, regular and reserve, confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on Thursday.

Topping the list of 38 confirmed senior military officials and flag officers is Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Of the 38 officers, one was confirmed to the four-star rank of general, one to a three-star rank of lieutenant general, seven to two-star ranks of major general, 20 to one-star ranks of brigadier general, and eight to the rank of colonel or its Philippine Navy equivalent, captain.

Thad Rufino P. Candelario, whose appointment to lieutenant general was confirmed, was the sole officer elevated to three-star rank.

The seven officers elevated to two-star rank received promotions to major general or Navy rear admiral, including Emilio G. Orio Jr., whose appointment to rear admiral was confirmed.

The CA also confirmed 20 officers to the one-star ranks of brigadier general or Navy commodore.

Champion of AFP modernization

Romero, also a former 1-PACMAN party-list representative, had his ad interim appointment to brigadier general in the Philippine Air Force Reserve confirmed.

He has pursued his military reserve service alongside his careers in public service and business.

READ: Mikee Romero becomes 1st reservist with honors from Army, Navy, Air Force

A staunch champion of AFP modernization during his years in Congress, Romero played a key role in getting funding for the AFP Modernization Program, supporting major capability upgrades and the acquisition of modern defense assets.

Among other things, he was instrumental in securing funding for the Philippine Air Force’s first three brand-new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, with deliveries to the Philippines set to begin this year.

Even outside Congress, he continued his advocacy for national defense.

Romero is now at the forefront of the reservist movement as chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI), where he has championed efforts to strengthen the AFP reserve component and enhance the readiness, capabilities, and participation of reservists in national defense, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

Two other ARRAPI members confirmed

Romero was not the only ARRAPI leader included in the latest round of confirmations.

Two members of the association’s board of trustees — Col. Vladimir Mata of the Philippine Marine Corps Reserve, ARRAPI president, and Col. Floreto Solano of the Philippine Air Force Reserve, ARRAPI treasurer — were likewise among the military officers whose appointments and promotions were confirmed.

The confirmation of Romero, Mata, and Solano highlights the active participation of ARRAPI leaders in the country’s reserve force and their continuing efforts to strengthen the AFP reserve component.

Romero’s elevation to brigadier general marks another milestone in a career that has combined his legislative advocacy and efforts to secure funding for AFP modernization with his continuing leadership in strengthening the country’s military reserve force.

READ: Reserve Brig. Gen. Mikee Romero is Outstanding Leader in Asia

61st AFP chief

Meanwhile, Nafarrete secured confirmation as a four-star general, the highest military rank among those acted upon by the CA.

He is the 61st AFP chief of staff, assuming command on July 21, succeeding Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr.

Before taking the military’s top post, Nafarrete served as commanding general of the Philippine Army and held several key operational and command positions during his military career.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, Nafarrete brings more than three decades of military experience to the AFP’s highest command.

The CA likewise confirmed eight officers to the rank of colonel or Navy captain, completing the batch of 37 senior AFP and flag officers.

Under the Constitution, appointments and promotions of senior military officers require CA confirmation. /atm