Army relieves senatorial bets of reservist post

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army has relieved senatorial candidates Herbert Bautista and Robin Padilla and five others holding positions in the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM), an official said yesterday.

Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad clarified that the candidates are not being removed as reservists but only from their current posts to ensure they will not be able to use the military to boost their candidacies in the May 2022 polls.

Bautista, who holds the rank of brigadier general, was brigade commander of the 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade (RRIBde) in the National Capital Region.

Padilla, a captain, has quit his post as head of the strategic communications arm of the Philippine Army’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board.

Davao City District 3 Rep. Isidro Ungab, a colonel who is seeking re-election, was former brigade commander of 2002nd RRIBde in Davao City.

Lt. Col. Eugene Balitang, who is running to represent the lone district of Ifugao, was battalion commander of the 1404th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn) in Ifugao.

Other reservists seeking elective posts who have also been relieved from their positions include Lt. Col. Jayvee Tyron Uy, who is joining the Davao de Oro vice gubernatorial race; Lt. Col. Rhodora Cadiao, who is seeking reelection as Antique governor; and Lt. Col. John Tracy Cagas, the current vice governor of Davao del Sur.

Trinidad said other known military reservists  such as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Sen. Manny Pacquiao are not holding positions in the Army. Both hold the rank of colonel.

He said that win or lose, these reservists may return to their previous positions after the elections.

The Army will soon release the names of other reservist officers who are being relieved from their posts because of their intention to run in next year’s elections.