DND defends Pacquiao’s military promotion

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of National Defense defended on Monday the criticisms on the promotion of boxing champion and congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao as Lieutenant Colonel.

“There is nothing irregular about the promotion of Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao,” DND spokesman Zosimo Paredes told reporters, quoting Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

“The promotion of Congressman Pacquiao went through all the necessary process, pursuant to Section 40 of the National Defense Act, and in conjunction with Section 44 of Republic Act No. 7077,” he added.

Paredes said that Section 44 of Republic Act No. 7077 states that “elected officials and presidential appointees may be commissioned into the Reserve Force subject to the existing AFP rules and regulations.”

Pacquiao was granted the rank of Lieutenant Colonel effective September 21. The document was signed by Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa under the authority of the President.

A defense security expert earlier questioned Pacquiao’s promotion as the rank requires a college degree as stated in RA 7077.

Dr. Clarita Carlos said that his achievements and stature as boxing champion were not enough to be commissioned as an officer of the Philippine Army.

But Paredes noted that his promotion is pursuant to paragraph 5b, Group VI of Circular Number 44 of General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines, dated July 5, 2010, stating that a congressman can be granted a rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the reserve force. This is the same for senators, provincial governors, mayors of highly urbanized cities, department secretaries, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, members of the Constitutional Commission and ambassadors.

Paredes also acknowledged that Pacquiao has an honorary doctorate degree of human kinetics from the Southwestern University in 2009.

Prior to the Lieutenant Colonel position, Pacquiao held the rank as Senior Master Sergeant, the highest post possible for a military reservist who does not have a college degree.

As Lieutenant Colonel, he now shares the same rank with incumbent public officials including Senators Manuel Villar and Loren Legarda; Representatives Ruy Lopez (Davao Del Sur), Rosendo Labadlabad (Zamboanga Del Norte, 2nd district), Almario Mayo (Davao Oriental), Isidro Ungab (Davao City) and Marlene Agabas (Pangasinan, 3rd district); and Mayors Herbert Bautista (Quezon City) and Sara Duterte (Davao City).