Bataan solon becomes country’s first transgender military officer

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Geraldine Roman (Bataan, 1st district) has officially joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines, making her the military’s first transgender officer.

Roman, also the first transgender legislator in the Philippine Congress, has the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

She took her oath as a reservist officer of the AFP during Valentine’s Day, Wednesday. 

We should also remember love of country on Valentine’s Day. Today I am officially a member of the Army’s Reserve Force. #ServiceKnowsNoGender pic.twitter.com/bLUh2qxssU

— Geraldine Roman (@geraldinebroman) February 14, 2018

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana donned the epaulet to Roman with the assistance of her mother, Herminia Roman, and AFP chief of staff Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Last year, Roman expressed her intent to join the reserve force. 

She is a supporter of the Reserved Officers Training Corps program, saying it would prepare Filipinos for the country’s defense and disaster operations. 

Roman, who ran under the Liberal Party during the 2016 elections, joined the ruling PDP-Laban last year. 

She was among the possible senatorial bets of PDP-Laban listed by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

READ: Geraldine Roman on running for Senate: Only time can tell