Explain discrepancy in number of generals and budget for them, DND chief told

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday asked Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to appear before the bicameral body and explain the supposed discrepancy in the number of the appointed generals in the military and the budget appropriated for their salaries. Pending Teodoro’s explanation, the CA committee on national defense decided to discuss only the ad interim appointment of Lieutenant General Victor Ibrado as Armed Forces chief of staff and the service commanders. Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Richard Gordon said they might be violating the law if they will approve the nomination of the other flag and senior officers as the General Appropriations Act authorized only 133 generals. "Sobra kayo ng 14 kung ico-confirm lahat so sino ang tatanggalin natin. Paano sila susuweldo kung iko-confirm ngayon [The AFP will have 14 excess generals if we will approve all the nominations so who should we prioritize. How can the other be paid their salaries if the budget only authorizes 133 generals]," Biazon said. For his part, Gordon said: "I would like an explanation of this. It is a policy question I therefore suggest that the committee extends an invitation to the Secretary of the National Defense to explain." As of posting time, the committee is asking Ibrado questions related to his appointment as chief of staff as successor to Alexander Yano. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV