New Air Force chief to assume post next week

A new Air Force commanding general will assume next week as Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado relinquishes his post.

Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said on Thursday that the turnover on March 9 will be held ahead of Delgado’s retirement date as he reaches the mandatory age of 56.

Delgado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1984, is supposed to retire on March 20, however, the turnover will be held earlier due to ban on appointments as the upcoming election day (May 9) nears.

READ: PMA superintendent to retire Feb. 17; selection process for successor starts

The Constitution says the President shall not make appointments except temporary ones two months before the next national elections.

“The change of command was scheduled earlier in due consideration of the election ban on appointments and to our understanding, the leadership’s desire not to avail of the exemption given by Comelec (Commission on Elections),” said Padilla.

On Thursday, Delgado made his farewell visit to troops stationed at Mactan Air Base in Cebu.

He personally chose Maj. Marjorie Mukay, the first female pilot of the C-130, to fly his last official visit there, said Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya.

President Benigno Aquino III will lead the turnover at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas.

The successor of Delgado has not yet been announced. Padilla said his potential replacements have already been interviewed by the President.

Sources said that potential successor include Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, the Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff.

Other candidates are 1st Air Division commander Maj. Gen. Raul del Rosario and Air Education and Training Command chief Maj. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison, both from PMA Class of 1984; and Chief of Air Staff Maj. Gen. Galileo Kintanar, from PMA Class of 1985. RAM

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