Vilma Santos now an air force official

MANILA, Philippines - Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto has been commissioned as a reserve officer of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Recto, along with Batangas Vice Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste II, formally became part of the PAF during a donning of ranks ceremony held last Wednesday at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa.

Leviste was commissioned as a reserve officer with a rank of major.

The donning of ranks was led by Maj. Gen. Raul Dimatatac, the vice commander of the Air Force.

Military officials present during the event include Maj. Gen. Edgardo Samonte, commander of the PAF Air Education and Training Command and Col. Ferdinand Cartujano, who read the commission orders.

PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said Recto has been helping them in their development programs.

“Actually, she (Recto) has even before as mayor of Lipa and eventually as governor, been working hand in hand with the PAF for security and development initiatives in the area of responsibility of our Fernando Airbase as well as the province of Lipa,” Okol told The STAR.

“Her commissioning (seeks) to formalize that long-standing relationship,” he added.

Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act states that elected officials and presidential appointees may be commissioned into the Reserve Force subject to the rules and regulations of the military.

Other prominent figures who are military reservists include boxer Manny Pacquiao, Vice President Jejomar Binay, former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Sen. Loren Legarda and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.