Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Wednesday the selection of the next Armed Forces of the Philippines chief is a privileged matter between him and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. nears the end of his term.
Brawner is set to complete on July 21 the maximum three-year term allowed under the law for the AFP chief of staff.
“This process is between the President and SND (Secretary of National Defense); this is privileged, so I cannot discuss it,” Teodoro said in an interview at Villamor Air Base when asked if he had made a personal recommendation on Brawner’s successor.
Teodoro said succession in the military leadership is important but difficult, noting that the next AFP chief must be able to build on Brawner’s work.
“You must choose somebody who will build on, continue the legacy of Gen. Brawner,” he said.
“The standard set by General Brawner is very high, both in the local and international community,” Teodoro added.
The defense chief said the final decision rests with Marcos, the military’s commander-in-chief.
“I’m waiting for the decision of the President. We’re waiting for the decision of the President,” Teodoro said.
More than 10 three-star generals and flag officers are qualified to succeed Brawner, who is the third AFP chief appointed under the Marcos administration.
Among those qualified are Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, and Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta.