Arroyo urged to extend AFP chief’s term

At least two presidential aspirants on Thursday urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to extend the term of General Victor Ibrado as chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) until June 30, 2010. In a manifesto, Senators Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Manuel Villar Jr. said this is to ensure the stability and continuity of the leadership of the AFP during the election period, and the impartiality and reliability of the military institution in a crucial time in the country's history. Senator Francis Escudero, who is yet to announce his political plans in the 2010 elections, also signed the manifesto. The manifesto was drafted and circulated for signature by the office of detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Ibrado is set to retire in March 2010, two months before the May 10 elections. “The May 2010 elections is particularly crucial and important not only because the nation would be electing the next President and Vice President who will lead the Republic during the next six years, but also this is the very first time that the Philippines will be conducting automated elections," the senators said. They said Ibrado enjoys the support and respect of the officers and men of the AFP as well as the entire nation. “In the light of all the foregoing premises, the undersigned aspirants for the position of President in May 2010 national elections hereby strongly urge and prevail upon President Arroyo to exercise her discretion and extend the term of Ibrado until 30 June 2010," they said. The manifesto was drafted and circulated for signature by the office of detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Aquino will be running under the banner of the Liberal Party with Senator Manuel Roxas II as running mate. On the other hand, Villar will under the Nacionalista Party together with vice presidential bet Senator Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People's Coalition. No stranger to extensions In her nine years in Malacañang, President Arroyo has so far extended the terms of four former AFP chiefs of staff: Roy Cimatu, Benjamin Defensor, Efren Abu and Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Abu was military chief at the height of the "Hello, Garci" scandal involving wiretapped recordings of alleged conversations on poll cheating operations in 2004 that favored President Arroyo. There are pending bills in Congress seeking to put a fix term of the AFP chief of Staff, but until now none has progressed. Article XVI, Section 5 (7) of the Philippine Constitution provides that: “The tour of duty of the chief of staff of the armed forces shall not exceed three years. However, in times of war or other national emergency declared by the Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty." 'Oplan August Moon' Meanwhile, Malacañang on Thursday dismissed persistent reports on the so-called "Oplan August Moon," where Ibrado would be ousted in December and replaced with a “pro-Arroyo general." [See: Ermita says no shortcuts in replacing Ibrado] “In the AFP we follow a procedure where the Board of Generals will make a recommendation to the President through the Defense Secretary. We can be sure the procedure will be followed," Ermita said in an interview on dzXL radio. However, Ermita also said it is possible for a senior AFP official to retire early, if he so wishes, in the same way that it is possible for the President to extend his term. - GMANews.TV