Aquino may name successor– Iriberri

Army chief Major General Hernando Iriberri            ARMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City—President Aquino can designate an acting chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the election period despite a hiring ban, according to retiring Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri.

Iriberri was given a testimonial parade by Philippine Military Academy cadets on Saturday ahead of his mandatory retirement on April 22, at the age of 56.

He has been chief of staff since July 2015.

“It would be presumptuous of me to say if my appointment would be extended,’’ Iriberri said.

His retirement would leave a vacancy that would ordinarily be left open during an election season.

The Omnibus Election Code considers as an election offense the “appointment of new employees, [the] creation of new positions, promotions, or giving salary increases… 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election.”

Iriberri said the law grants exemptions in naming his successor.

The election law states that the Commission on Elections may allow the President to name a successor once “it is satisfied that the position is essential to the proper functioning of the office concerned and that the position shall not be filled in a manner that may influence the elections.”

For as long as his successor is not granted an increase in pay and is designated—not appointed—Iriberri said there should be no problem concerning his retirement.

“Normally, the board of generals (composed of the chief of staff, vice chief of staff, deputy chief of staff and major service commanders) submits a short list of nominees. The President interviews the candidates and he decides,” Iriberri said. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon