Navy chief retires today; nominees down to three names

Malacañang has yet to name a replacement for Philippine Navy chief V/Adm. Mateo Mayuga who relinquishes his post today.

Mayuga said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has submitted a shortlist of three candidates to Malacañang but President Arroyo has not yet announced her choice.

"We have recommended three rear admirals but as of today, we have not received any formal notice from Malacañang as to who my replacement will be," Mayuga said. He said only Mrs. Arroyo, being the commander-in-chief, can choose the next Navy flag officer. Asked to comment on the possibility of Mrs. Arroyo ignoring the shortlist and naming her own choice instead, Mayuga said the AFP leadership is prepared to accept whoever the President chooses.

Earlier, senior and middle-grade Navy officers declared their support for any of the three contenders to the Navy’s top post.

The three are Rear Admirals Rogelio Calunsag, Petronilo Marayag and Emilio Magno.

"All three are the most senior and highly qualified to be the next Flag Officer-In-Command (FOIC)," a Navy officer who declined to be named said.

The Navy officers were mum on the alleged spadework being done by an influential politician to secure the appointment of Western Command (Wescom) chief R/Adm. Tirso Danga to the top Navy post.

Danga was the chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) when the "Hello Garci" controversy broke out.

"Anybody but Danga," one Navy officer said, warning that appointing Danga as Navy chief will further fuel restiveness in the AFP.

Under the law, only officers who have more than a year left in the service are qualified for promotion to a higher position or rank.

Mayuga who retires today celebrates his 56th birthday tomorrow. A naval review and testimonial parade was held yesterday in his honor at the Navy headquarters at Fort San Felipe in Cavite City.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1973, Mayuga chaired the military fact-finding board that looked into the alleged involvement of senior military officials in election anomalies in May 2004.

The board, in its findings now known as the Mayuga report, cleared the officials of involvement in poll irregularities. The exonerated officials include AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

When asked about the controversial findings yesterday, Mayuga said the report was factual and fair.

Mayuga said his training with the AFP had prepared him for a post-military life and that he might put up his own business. He did not elaborate.

His advice to the next flag officer in command: "I’ll just say you should be able to inspire and to lead." — Jaime Laude