AFP: No full colonel promotion for Pacquiao despite recent win

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is not likely to be promoted to full colonel despite his impressive victory against American boxer Timothy Bradley, Jr. last Sunday.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, Jr. said active and reserve officers are required to take the Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) to become eligible for promotion to full colonel.

Pacquiao is an Army reservist with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

“There are requirements or things to be undertaken before one is promoted,” Tutaan said in a press briefing on Monday. “One has to undergo Command and General Staff Course before one gets promoted. This is true also for the reserve force,” he added.

Tutaan said the CGSC trains soldiers to handle command positions. A graduate of CGSC is eligible to become a commander of a battalion, which consists of about 500 soldiers.

Tutaan said among the subjects taught in the one-year course are offense and defense operations and operations doctrine.

Pacquiao, who represents the lone district of Sarangani at the House of Representatives, was named a reserve Army lieutenant colonel in 2011.

The donning of the rank raised questions among critics who believe that Pacquiao did not meet some requirements. Critics pointed out that Pacquiao did not finish college, a requirement to become a military officer.

The military, however, claimed that Pacquiao could be commissioned as lieutenant colonel because he is a lawmaker.

While Pacquiao is not eligible to the next higher rank, he is nevertheless entitled to a military merit medal.        

“At our level, we can give him a military merit medal unless the higher headquarters gives him something much higher, which is not in our level,” said Brig. Gen. Alexis Tamondong, commander of the Army Reserve Command.

“We are authorized to give such award,” he added.

The Army Reserve Command will recommend the holding of a ceremony in honor of Pacquiao. The schedule of the event will depend on the boxer’s availability.

Tamondong said they are happy with the latest accomplishment of Pacquiao, who serves as executive officer of a reserve battalion.

“It (Pacquiao’s victory) means a lot for the morale of our soldiers not only in the Army Reserve Command but the entire Army and the Armed Forces,” he said.