Tempers flare at Commission on Appointments over AFP promotions

Tempers almost flared as members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday scrutinized the list of 131 military officers nominated for promotion in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Witnesses said four CA members had to mediate between Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez and Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino over disagreements in the promotions.

Antonino had prepared a statement deploring supposed irregularities in the selection of AFP officers to be promoted.

The statement delved on Antonino’s “unpleasant experience” with Golez on the night of Aug. 16 when the latter supposedly dismissed his suspicions that a “Mafia-like establishment” has been lording it over AFP promotions.

Witnesses said Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte had to stand between Golez and Antonino during an argument at the Ambrosio Padilla Hall where the committee hearing was to take place.

A closed-door meeting was later called at the Lorenzo Tanada Hall where the cooler heads of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Edgardo Angara prevailed.

By then, the CA hearing was already delayed by more than one hour.

But Lacson and Enrile downplayed the incident.

“All’s well that ends well. There was just a slight misunderstanding,” Lacson said.

All in all, the CA confirmed the promotion of 130 officers except for Alex Albano whose promotion to brigadier general was deferred.