GMA names PMA Class '77 president as acting Navy chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has named Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez as acting Navy chief to succeed Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, who will retire this month.

Golez said Cortez will only serve in an acting capacity because of the election ban on appointments. Under the Constitution, the President cannot make any appointment two months before an election except temporary ones.

“By the 15th of this month, I’ll be turning over my command to the vice commander of the Navy, Admiral Danny Cortez, who will be assuming the position in an acting capacity by virtue of the restriction on appointments during the election period,” he told reporters yesterday.

Golez said Cortez will hold the post until the next president appoints a permanent flag officer-in-command in July. Until such time, Cortez will act as Navy chief in a concurrent capacity as vice commander.

Golez said the appointment of Cortez was a collegial decision of the Board of Generals (BOG), which then secured the approval of Mrs. Arroyo.

The BOG is led by the chief of staff and is composed of the vice chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff and the heads of the Army, Air Force and Navy.

“Admiral Cortez is definitely a very capable naval officer. I have known him since April 1, 1972 when we started our days in PMA (Philippine Military Academy),” Golez said.

“He is very qualified. He is aware of all the programs that we are implementing in the Navy and I’m sure he will be able to perform (the) job,” he added.

Golez, however, said Cortez can no longer be designated as permanent Navy chief since he only has less than a year remaining in service. Cortez will hang up his uniform in January 2011.

Cortez said he has yet to receive an appointment order.

“I have not received any orders. I will only react the moment I assume the post,” he said in a text message to The STAR.

Golez, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on May 16, said he will focus on his duties as a family man after leaving the service.

Cortez is the president of PMA class ‘77 and has been vice commander of the Navy for about a year. Other posts he held include chairman of the Armed Forces Bids and Awards Committee, commander of Assault Craft Force, deputy commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, assistant chief of Naval Staff for Comptrollership, and commander of Naval Task Force 61.