Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday took up the cudgels for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers whose promotions awaiting confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA) were delayed by the Senate leadership row that started last May.
Lacson refuted the claim of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that the affected AFP officers were considered bypassed because they fell short of the one-year ban, or one year before they reached retirement age.
“Just for clarity, I believe and I was told by the Secretary of the Commission on Appointments that the ad interim appointments of these fine gentlemen and lady is a mere resubmission of their previous ad interim appointments given before the May 25, 2026 resumption of the first regular session. And since this is a special session, it is a continuation of the first regular session,” Lacson said at the hearing of the CA defense committee.
“Therefore, hindi pa sila pasok sa one-year ban kasi hindi naman po nila kasalanan na nagkagulo-gulo kami sa Senado at hindi na-take up ang kanilang confirmation (Therefore, they are not covered by the one-year ban because it is not their fault that there was a leadership row in the Senate that prevented their confirmation from being taken up earlier),” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Ipinagtanggol ang mga Opisyal ng AFP na Naapektuhan ng Alitan sa Pamunuan ng Senado
He referred to the case of AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Edmundo Peralta, who Marcoleta questioned during the hearing since his birthday falls on May 14. Lacson noted Peralta is not covered by the one-year ban when he was given an ad interim appointment before Congress resumed session last May 25.
Lacson added that since Peralta and fellow officers were given ad interim appointments while Congress was in recess at the time, “hindi kayo covered ng one-year ban (you are not covered by the one-year ban).” He added that Wednesday’s CA special session is a continuation of the first regular session, contrary to Marcoleta’s interpretation.
CA defense committee chairman Rep. Joboy Aquino II approved Lacson’s motion.
Meanwhile, Lacson – as chairman of the CA’s foreign affairs committee – sponsored for confirmation the appointments of 85 foreign service officers, noting they “are distinguished members of our Foreign Service who have devoted their careers to advancing Philippine interests abroad.
“They have served with dedication, professionalism, and loyalty, often far from their families and loved ones, and frequently under demanding and challenging conditions in the service of our nation. In recognition of their sacrifices and faithful service and considering the urgency that necessitated this convening of this special session of Congress today, this representation expresses the hope that these career diplomats may likewise be accorded the opportunity for timely action by the Commission,” he said.
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Lacson, Ipinagtanggol ang mga Opisyal ng AFP na Naapektuhan ng Alitan sa Pamunuan ng Senado
Ipinagtanggol ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Miyerkules ang mga opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na naantala ang kumpirmasyon ng promotion sa Commission on Appointments (CA) dahil sa alitan sa pamunuan ng Senado na nagsimula noong Mayo.
Pinasinungalingan ni Lacson ang pahayag ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta na itinuturing nang bypassed ang mga apektadong opisyal dahil nasaklaw na sila ng one-year ban, o ang pagbabawal sa kumpirmasyon ng mga opisyal na nasa loob ng isang taon bago ang kanilang pagreretiro.
“Just for clarity, I believe and I was told by the Secretary of the Commission on Appointments that the ad interim appointments of these fine gentlemen and lady is a mere resubmission of their previous ad interim appointments given before the May 25, 2026 resumption of the first regular session. And since this is a special session, it is a continuation of the first regular session,” ani Lacson sa pagdinig ng CA defense committee.
“Therefore, hindi pa sila pasok sa one-year ban kasi hindi naman po nila kasalanan na nagkagulo-gulo kami sa Senado at hindi na-take up ang kanilang confirmation,” dagdag niya.
Tinukoy niya ang kaso ni AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Edmundo Peralta na kinwestyon ni Marcoleta sa pagdinig dahil ang kaarawan niya ay Mayo 14. Binanggit ni Lacson na hindi saklaw ng one-year ban si Peralta nang mabigyan ito ng ad interim appointment bago muling magbukas ang sesyon ng Kongreso noong Mayo 25.
Sinabi ni Lacson na dahil nabigyan si Peralta at ang iba pang opisyal ng mga ad interim appointment habang naka-recess ang Kongreso noon, “hindi kayo covered ng one-year ban.” Idinagdag niya na ang special session ng CA nitong Miyerkules ay pagpapatuloy lamang ng First Regular Session, taliwas sa interpretasyon ni Marcoleta.
Inaprubahan ni CA defense committee chairman Rep. Joboy Aquino II ang mosyon ni Lacson.
Samantala, bilang chairman ng CA’s foreign affairs committee, ini-sponsor ni Lacson para sa kumpirmasyon ang mga appointment ng 85 foreign service officers, na aniya ay “distinguished members of our Foreign Service who have devoted their careers to advancing Philippine interests abroad.”
“They have served with dedication, professionalism, and loyalty, often far from their families and loved ones, and frequently under demanding and challenging conditions in the service of our nation. In recognition of their sacrifices and faithful service and considering the urgency that necessitated this convening of this special session of Congress today, this representation expresses the hope that these career diplomats may likewise be accorded the opportunity for timely action by the Commission,” aniya.
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