AFP chief’s confirmation hearing set Aug. 30

THE bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) will deliberate on Romeo Brawner Jr.’s promotion to Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the rank of four-star general on Aug. 30.

The CA’s committee on national defense chaired by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo will hold its confirmation hearing on Brawner’s ad interim appointment on Wednesday, according to CA assistant minority leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Brawner as the 60^th AFP chief on July 21, replacing Andres Centino, who has since retired and is now Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea.

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to pore over the competence, fitness and integrity of key presidential appointees, and to approve or disapprove them.

Pimentel said 29 other newly promoted senior military officers from the rank of colonel to major general will also face confirmation hearings before the Romualdo panel on Aug. 30.

“The CA has likewise scheduled a caucus and a plenary session that day,” Pimentel said.

The other senior AFP officers facing confirmation hearings on Wednesday are:

For promotion to the rank of Major General:

· Freddie Dela Cruz

· Noe Alberto Peñafiel

· Rommel Roldan

For promotion to the rank of Brigadier General:

· Anthon Abrina

· Simplitius Adecer

· Taharudin Ampatuan

· Marion Angcao

· Felix Ronnie Babac