Air Force has new chief

President Arroyo has appointed Maj. Gen. Jose Reyes as Air Force commanding general in place of Maj. Gen. Arcadio Seron, who has retired.

The appointment papers of Reyes were signed last July 2, but Malacañang released them only yesterday, the Air Force’s 57th founding anniversary.

Reyes is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’73.

Mrs. Arroyo has yet to appoint a new Armed Forces vice chief of staff following the retirement of Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia.

Mrs. Arroyo sent Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita to represent her at the Air Force anniversary rites at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, where she was the invited guest speaker.

Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo sent to Ermita last July 6 the appointment papers of Reyes, informing him that the Chief Executive had approved the recommendation of the Board of Generals.

Among the guests at the ceremonies yesterday was former Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Santillan.

Malacañang sources said Santillan, who retired last May, will be named to a civilian post.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye told state-run Radyo ng Bayan that a retired military officer must not be disqualified from holding a civilian position.

"As a matter of fact, it’s possible that his training and qualifications from the military service might be an asset for the position to which (he is) subsequently appointed," he said.

"Let us give the benefit of the doubt to the prospective appointees of the President. If they don’t perform well, then that is the time to judge them."

The appointment of officials in the executive department is the prerogative of the President, he added. — Marichu Villanueva