Who’s next after Senga?

With Armed Forces chief Gen. Generoso Senga’s retirement on July 21, the race for the top military post has begun.

Defense and military observers see a toss-up between Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon and Navy chief Vice Adm. Mateo Mayuga.

"Both are highly qualified officers. The race is not visible but it has started," said one observer who closely watched the two during a recent visit by President Arroyo at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Defense sources said other possible contenders have already dropped out as the two senior officers have already dominated the race.

While Esperon commands the military’s largest service, Mayuga has a following in other branches aside from the Navy.

Esperon’s non-confirmation by the Commission on Appointments may prove to be a possible stumbling block to the top military post.

On the other hand, Mayuga while seen as "Mr. Clean" is also being criticized for failing to fully disclose his findings in his investigation of supposed involvement of military officers in the electoral fraud allegations hounding Mrs. Arroyo since last year.

Some retired but still influential Navy officers are opposing his possible appointment as Armed Forces chief for kicking out retired officers from their quarters at Fort Bonifacio recently to make room for active officers.

Esperon graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1974; Mayuga in 1973.

"We don’t know which of them will be appointed but the selection is centered on them," said one Camp Aguinaldo source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.