DEPARTMENT of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. yesterday said Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro will only be promoted to the four-star rank once his predecessor, Gen. Andres Centino, officially retires from service.
Bacarro assumed command of the AFP last August, replacing Centino, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy class of 1988, who is reaching the retirement age of 56 in February next year.
Last month, Malacanang announced that Centino, who also previously served as Army chief, is being groomed to become the Philippine ambassador to India.
“With regards to Gen. Centino, yes, he has been considered for an ambassadorial post…If he gets it (ambassadorial post), then he will be considered (retired),” said Faustino.
“The four-star rank is still with him (Centino). When he retires, immediately after his appointment, then Gen. Bacarro will get it (rank of four-star General),” Faustino added.
Faustino noted that under the Constitution, there should only be one four-star general or flag officer in active duty. That rank is reserved for the AFP chief.
Faustino said key AFP positions, which are occupied by officers in an acting capacity over the past months, will be filled up soon.
“It is being addressed right now…It is being carefully studied. As per my meeting with Malacanang, the result will be announced sooner, maybe within the week,” said Faustino, referring to the post of AFP vice chief, Navy chief and commanders of the Western Mindanao Command and Southern Luzon Command.
A law that took effect last July 1 provides a three-year term to these positions, along with the AFP chief; AFP deputy chief; and commanders of Northern Luzon Command, Western Command, Visayas Command, and Eastern Mindanao Command chief; and the AFP Inspector General; and four-year term to the PMA superintendent.
