Sen. Vicente Sotto III (right) is congratulated by AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista after being commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army’s reserve force. Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office
MANILA, Philippines–Besides being a legislator and a noontime show host, Senator Vicente Sotto III is also now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army’s reserve force.
“The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Chief of Staff said that we welcome Senator Sotto as member of the reserve. He inspired us today by showing his patriotism,” military spokesman Lt Col. Ramon Zagala said Friday.
Sotto was previously commissioned as a reserve in the Philippine Constabulary with a rank of a Major. He resigned from his former commissionship to pave the way for his application in the Army as a reserve.
AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista administered his oathtaking at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.
“As a reservist and as a senator, he may help in furthering credible defense. He will be the best person to advocate for the armed forces,” Zagala said.
“[Sotto] is resigned from his present rank and subsequently commissioned in the reserve force, AFP in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Army (reserve) effective 25 June 2013. (Authority: Letter from the Office of the Presidentdated 25 June 2013),” the military orders read.
Some of the politicians that are also reservists in the AFP are: Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Loren Legarda, Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, Albay Governor Joey Salceda and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.