Palace backs AFP chief’s proposal to clip CA powers

Malacañang is backing the proposal of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Generoso Senga to cut legislative powers over the appointment and confirmation of military officers.

"The clear trend of the policy is to undertake all measures to insulate the military from politics to accord the AFP a permanent seal of professionalism. The proposal of the AFP chief of staff must be considered in the light of that objective," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye said Senga’s proposal is line with the modernization program of the Armed Forces "and the overall run of political reform, renewal and transformation."

Senga’s proposal echoed complaints by senior military officials that the confirmation process is often abused by certain politicians for their own vested interests.

Under the present set-up, the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) composed of senior and select members of Congress has the final say on the confirmation of ranking generals and flag officers.

The CA may approve or turn down the promotion of any ranking officer.

"Officers with the rank of colonel are confirmed by the Commission on Appointments... That early, politicians could have an influence on them so we are proposing that only the highest-ranking officials of the (AFP) should pass through the CA," Senga said.

Aside from limiting the powers of the CA, Senga also reiterated a proposal for a fixed term of office for the AFP chief.

Senga stressed the proposal would eliminate the unpopular "revolving door policy" of selecting the next AFP chief of staff.

With a fixed term, Senga said the AFP would have a better chance of implementing necessary reforms in the military service.

Senga noted that President Arroyo has already appointed eight military chiefs since she assumed the presidency in 2001. Most of the appointees served for less than a year.

But a ranking CA member, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay told Senga to "shut up" and stop pushing for the proposal to exempt military officers from thorough screening before their promotions.

Pichay, who sits as vice chairman of the bicameral body, reminded the AFP chief that "civilian supremacy over the military" is provided for in the 1987 Constitution.

"Senga should just shut up because he is only betraying either his fascistic tendencies or ignorance of one of the bedrock principles of the Constitution," Pichay said.

If the CA had not been created, Pichay said no civilian government body would be qualified to oversee the appointments of ranking military officers to sensitive posts.

"The AFP hierarchy itself cannot do that because civilian authority reigns supreme over the military organization," Pichay reminded Senga.

The Surigao lawmaker also chided Senga for saying that the CA’s handling of officers with the rank of colonel provided an early stage for politicians to have an influence over military officers awaiting confirmation.

"No matter who takes over the mantle of the AFP leadership, it is his prime duty to provide mechanisms to insulate members of the military organization from politics," Pichay said.

Senga noted Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has been bypassed for promotion by the CA.

Esperon was one of four generals linked to the alleged fraud operations during the May 2004 elections.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, the officer who investigated the vote-rigging allegations that named Esperon as among those involved, was confirmed even though his report has yet to be made public.

In October 2005, Marine Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, now retired, publicly assailed the CA for using military officials as "pawns in (a) political tug-of-war."

Teodosio had a tough time before the CA following his controversial relief of Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani during the 2004 elections.

Gudani was relieved for allegedly going against efforts to rig the poll results.

Pichay, however, said it is the duty of the CA to screen the qualifications of military officers but not to influence them politically.

"If there are AFP officers claiming politicians in the CA who had abused the confirmation process for their own vested interests as stated by Senga, then we challenge him to name names so something can be done about this," he said.

Pichay said Senga cannot emasculate the CA just to suit the whims of some senior military officers afraid to face the confirmation process.

"If they have nothing to hide, then they should be courageous enough to face CA members and present to them their qualifications," he said. — With Delon Porcalla