Senators OK with PBBM’s appointment of Brawner as AFP chief

Photo Credit: politics.com.ph

Senators on Thursday, July 20, said President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ R. Marcos Jr, made an “excellent choice’’ in naming Lt. General Romeo Brawner as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.   

“Very good decision. Excellent choice. General Brawner was my plebe in the (Philippine Military) Academy and I know what he is made of. He comes from a family of generational heroes,’’ Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said.

“As he takes on his significant responsibility, I am confident that Lt. General Brawner will lead the AFP with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and honor,” Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, chairman of the Senate national defense committee, also said.

“Throughout his distinguished career, Lt. Gen. Brawner has proven himself as a capable military leader,’’ he said.

Brawner, however, still has to go through the regular “question and answer” phase of interrogation by members of the national defense committee of the powerful 25-man Commission on Appointments (CA).

The committee, chaired by Estrada, will determine whether Brawner is fit for the job. If so, it will recommend the confirmation of Brawner’s  appointment by the CA in its plenary session. 

Estrada said Brawner’s extensive experience in various key positions within the AFP has honed his skills in managing complex operations and addressing the security challenges that our country faces. 

He explained that the law signed by President Marcos last May 17, Republic Act No. 11939, provides for a maximum tour of duty for three consecutive years for the AFP Chief of Staff “unless sooner terminated by the President.” 

RA 11939 amended the previous law, RA 11709, which prescribed fixed terms for the key officials of the AFP. The existing law (RA 11939) clearly states that the AFP Chief of Staff will compulsorily retire upon the completion of a tour of duty or upon relief by the President.   

‘’In both instances, when General Andres Centino was reappointed last January as Chief of Staff of the AFP and now has him replaced by Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner ahead of his compulsory retirement, the President exercised his prerogative as the Commander in Chief which is allowed under RA 11939 and RA 11709.

‘’ If I may further emphasize, the authority to appoint is one of the President’s foremost powers under our Constitution,’’ Estrada said.

Estrada pointed out that General Centino already made significant accomplishments in improving the country’s internal security situation and ‘’I commend him for his dedicated service as the outgoing Chief of Staff.’’

‘’He will be handing over a much better AFP to General Brawner,’’ he said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said he defers to the judgment of the President who is the Commander-in- Chief. 

‘’He should know them (his appointees) better than me. At any rate, Gen. Brawner has served the AFP his whole adult life and we have seen his high profile assignments in the service,’’ he pointed out.

‘’I have no derogatory information about him. Hence, he is qualified for the job the president has chosen him for. Good luck and best wishes to General Brawner,’’ he added. — Mario Casayuran

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