CA OKs promotion of 130 military officers

After much discussion, the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the promotion of 130 officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The CA made the approval after its defense committee unanimously recommended for confirmation the appointment of 130 military officers to higher ranks. Among those confirmed were 20 of the 21 military officers who were questioned by Sen. Panfilo Lacson for having "derogatory information" regarding alleged property, money, and acts of lasciviousness charges. The senator said only Alex Albano, who is up for promotion to brigadier general, was not included in those recommended for confirmation. Albano reportedly asked for the deferment of his confirmation. He was implicated in a case regarding grave abuse of authority. Also among those confirmed were those up for promotion to a rank of major general and above. Their confirmation were earlier blocked by Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino. Antonino said that he only wanted to look at the promotion process of the AFP. He withdrew his opposition after he talked with a member of the AFP board of generals. Meanwhile, the CA has elected into the body Sen. Loren Legarda as the replacement of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. She will be heading the CA committee on health. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News