Ping thanks President for rectifying Army leadership oversight

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for rectifying an oversight and upholding the rule of law in the recent designation of Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. as commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Lacson said this in his co-sponsorship speech for the promotion of Brig. Gen. Henry Doyaoen to the rank of Major General, at the Commission on Appointments.

“To this end, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the CA, let me express my sincere gratefulness to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for rectifying an oversight in the recent designation of Lt. Gen. Faustino as acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army, in violation of RA 8186 as amended by RA 9188. This appreciation extends to Executive Secretary Salvador Bingbong Medialdea, who personally relayed to me last Friday the concurrence of the President to this body’s strong and unwavering position to uphold the rule of law,” Lacson, who chairs the Senate’s national defense committee and is vice chairman of the CA’s defense panel, said in his co-sponsorship speech.

On Sunday, Lacson similarly thanked Medialdea and the defense establishment for rectifying the oversight with the designation of Maj. Gen. Andres Centino to replace Faustino.

He first raised the issue last March at the CA, when he noted Faustino was designated Army chief in February. Faustino is to retire upon reaching age 56 in November.

Under Sec. 4 of RA 8186, “except for the Chief of Staff of the AFP, no officer shall be assigned/designated to the aforementioned key positions (including major service commanders) or promoted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore or higher if he has less than one (1) year of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.”

Lacson noted that in the case of Doyaoen, he is due for compulsory retirement on May 17, 2022 – within the one-year time frame of the law. “Any delay in the confirmation of his nomination later than today would disqualify him from being promoted to the next high rank of Major General, in so far as the provision of Section 4, Republic Act 8186 is concerned,” Lacson noted.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Brig. Gen. Doyaoen, a decorated and battle-seasoned military officer for 33 long years, has exemplified competence and commitment to duty worthy of the AFP’s higher echelon of command. Our committee meeting earlier today merely affirmed his good credentials. Thus we decide to recommend to the plenary his confirmation in accordance with what the law and the Constitution so provide,” he added.

Lacson also pointed out the confirmation of Doyaoen makes a good case that the CA, “in the exercise of its mandate under the Constitution, is duty-bound to accord weight and respect to the President’s nominations and appointments.”

“Equally worth mentioning Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, if not more significant is that the President and Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces has accorded the CA the same respect and high regard in designating Maj. Gen. Andres Centino last May 14 as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army to replace Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr.,” he added.

“As members of this Commission, this is a welcome remark to all that we are in the right direction in fulfilling our mandate to scrutinize and pass upon presidential appointments and nominations pursuant to our constitutional mandate and the proper observance of the principles of checks and balances,” Lacson pointed out.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)