Dela Rosa told AFP officers: Remain apolitical
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Wednesday urged senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain politically neutral.
At a hearing of the Commission on Appointments defense committee, Dela Rosa appealed to 86 flag and senior AFP officials to remain apolitical and to maintain their loyalty to the country.
'The Filipino people are expecting you to be politically neutral. You should be apolitical in every way and the only time that you will be allowed to express your political biases is when you exercise your right to suffrage,' said dela Rosa.
'I hope you remain steadfast in maintaining your values na huwag kayong magpadala sa politika. Whatever the political climate sa Pilipinas ngayon, magulo man, stressful man, 'wag kayong magpapa-apekto. You need to remain loyal to the Filipino flag, loyal to the Constitution, and loyal to the Filipino people,' he said.
(I hope you remain steadfast in maintaining your values na huwag kayong magpadala sa politika. Whatever the political climate sa Pilipinas ngayon, do not be affected. You need to remain loyal to the Filipino flag, loyal to the Constitution, and loyal to the Filipino people.)
The legislator added: 'Yun lang ang aking pakiusap sa inyo, sana huwag na huwag kayong magpagamit sa mga politiko. Never.'
(That is my only request. I hope you will not let politicians use you.)
Eighty-six AFP officers faced the members of the CA for their confirmation hearing. The military personnel were inquired on various issues including the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros interpellated four AFP officers on the alleged unaccounted increase in their assets and liabilities (SALNs).
Hontiveros asked Brigadier General Nhel Richard Patricio, BGen. Dean Mark Mamaril, BGen. Romell Allan Genete, and Colonel Orville Dizon to explain their SALNs. Patricio and Mamaril attributed the increase to their tax-free allowances and benefits during their posts abroad.
Genete and Dizon said they indicated all of their assets on their SALNs. The senator requested that the generals submit their explanations in writing.
The CA panel endorsed the confirmation of the AFP officers to the plenary. They were:
MGen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr.
MGen. Michael Samson
MGen. Florante Sison
MGen. Edwin Amadar
BGen. Vicente Naldoza Jr.
BGen. Dean Mark Mamaril
BGen. Billy dela Rosa
BGen. Nhel Richard Patricio
BGen. Antonio Dulnuan Jr.
Rear Admiral Karl Decapia
Commodore Luidegar Casis
Col. Paquito Malano Jr.
Col. Stephen Calizo
Col. Joel Jonson
Col. Chester Guanzon
Col. Rhyan Reyes
Col. Roland Rey Magtuba
Col. Darwin Catibog
Navy Capt. John Percie Alcos
Navy Capt. Jaymund Poblacion
Col. Maria Ghirly Solis
Col. Percival Macaranas Jr.
Col. Flordeliza Bolhayon
Col. Julito Recto Jr.
Col. Boysen Gawiden
Col. Victor-Czar Villanueva
Navy Capt. Jowel de Vera
Col. Francisco Quezon Jr.
MGen. Peter Burgonio
BGen. Romell Allan Genete
BGen. Bayani Curaming
BGen. Patrick de Villa
BGen. Danilo Dupiag
Commodore Jeff Rene Nadugo
Commodore Zosimo Bolaños
Commodore Sergio Bartolome
Commodore Joselito de Guzman
Col. Robert Wendell Austria
Col. Louis Leander
Col. Francisco Mangubat Jr.
Col. Simon Medroso
Col. Arthur Realuyo
Col. Orville Dizon
Col. Carlos Chan Jr.
Navy Capt. Randolph Oliva
Col. Wilfred Arevalo
Col. Rafael Caido
Col. Harold Garcia
Col. Michael Rey Bautista
Col. Fernando Payapaya
Col. Ryan Igama
Col. Rommel Estoque
Col. Renato Capili Jr.
Col. Aristides Galang Jr.
Col. Roel Felix
Col. Reymar Perez
Col. Henry Macatangay
Col. Jouie Embudo
Col. Clifford Basco (Marines)
Navy Capt. Wendelboy Buntag
Col. Eduard Olaso (Marines)
Col. Jose Perlas Jr.
Col. Constander Cahayon
Col. Rommel Besorio
Col. Jesicar Barcil
Col. Almira Ramirez
Col. Karen Nina Campos (Medical Corps)
Col. Sharon Montellana
Col. Hazel Bracamonte
Col. Jonathan Inocando
Navy Capt. Julius Magno Jr.
Col. Joel Atienza
Col. Ritche Amancio (Dental Service)
Col. Ramedinthine Tolentino
Col. Ronel Salas
Col. Don Villanueva
Col. Erwin Cariño
Navy Capt. Leo Aspillaga
Navy Capt. Kenneth Lozañes
Col. Joseph Jason Estrada
Col. Gerald Regis
Col. Jerald Reyes
Col. Joven Bugarin
Col. Alimuddin Pola (Marines)
Col. Joel Almendral
MGen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr.
MGen. Michael Samson
MGen. Florante Sison
MGen. Edwin Amadar
BGen. Vicente Naldoza Jr.
BGen. Dean Mark Mamaril
BGen. Billy dela Rosa
BGen. Nhel Richard Patricio
BGen. Antonio Dulnuan Jr.
Rear Admiral Karl Decapia
Commodore Luidegar Casis
Col. Paquito Malano Jr.
Col. Stephen Calizo
Col. Joel Jonson
Col. Chester Guanzon
Col. Rhyan Reyes
Col. Roland Rey Magtuba
Col. Darwin Catibog
Navy Capt. John Percie Alcos
Navy Capt. Jaymund Poblacion
Col. Maria Ghirly Solis
Col. Percival Macaranas Jr.
Col. Flordeliza Bolhayon
Col. Julito Recto Jr.
Col. Boysen Gawiden
Col. Victor-Czar Villanueva
Navy Capt. Jowel de Vera
Col. Francisco Quezon Jr.
MGen. Peter Burgonio
BGen. Romell Allan Genete
BGen. Bayani Curaming
BGen. Patrick de Villa
BGen. Danilo Dupiag
Commodore Jeff Rene Nadugo
Commodore Zosimo Bolaños
Commodore Sergio Bartolome
Commodore Joselito de Guzman
Col. Robert Wendell Austria
Col. Louis Leander
Col. Francisco Mangubat Jr.
Col. Simon Medroso
Col. Arthur Realuyo
Col. Orville Dizon
Col. Carlos Chan Jr.
Navy Capt. Randolph Oliva
Col. Wilfred Arevalo
Col. Rafael Caido
Col. Harold Garcia
Col. Michael Rey Bautista
Col. Fernando Payapaya
Col. Ryan Igama
Col. Rommel Estoque
Col. Renato Capili Jr.
Col. Aristides Galang Jr.
Col. Roel Felix
Col. Reymar Perez
Col. Henry Macatangay
Col. Jouie Embudo
Col. Clifford Basco (Marines)
Navy Capt. Wendelboy Buntag
Col. Eduard Olaso (Marines)
Col. Jose Perlas Jr.
Col. Constander Cahayon
Col. Rommel Besorio
Col. Jesicar Barcil
Col. Almira Ramirez
Col. Karen Nina Campos (Medical Corps)
Col. Sharon Montellana
Col. Hazel Bracamonte
Col. Jonathan Inocando
Navy Capt. Julius Magno Jr.
Col. Joel Atienza
Col. Ritche Amancio (Dental Service)
Col. Ramedinthine Tolentino
Col. Ronel Salas
Col. Don Villanueva
Col. Erwin Cariño
Navy Capt. Leo Aspillaga
Navy Capt. Kenneth Lozañes
Col. Joseph Jason Estrada
Col. Gerald Regis
Col. Jerald Reyes
Col. Joven Bugarin
Col. Alimuddin Pola (Marines)
Col. Joel Almendral
— BAP, GMA Integrated News
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