Duterte fraternity brother, new Army exec get CA nod

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed Antonio Kho as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Kho, a fraternity brother of President Duterte at the San Beda College of Law, was an undersecretary of the Department of Justice when he was appointed as Comelec commissioner.

He took over the position left vacant by Sheriff Abas, who was promoted as chairman of the Comelec, and will serve until 2022.

Earlier this year, the CA confirmed the appointments of Abas and commissioners Socorro Inting and Marlon Casquejo.

Also confirmed in a special meeting of the CA’s committee on national defense was Maj. Gen. Roy Devesa, commander of the training and doctrine command of the Philippine Army.

The nomination of Devesa as major general was accommodated by the CA in spite of the fact that he has less than a year left in the service, which is prohibited under Republic Act 8186 or the act prescribing the officer grade distribution and limiting the tenure of officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Sen. Panfilo Lacson noted that Devesa celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday, and since his promotion came while Congress was in session, it could only take effect upon confirmation of the CA.

Lacson also cited Section 3 of RA 8186, which states that no officer would be promoted to the rank of brigadier general/commodore or higher if he has less than one year of active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.

The law exempts only the chief of staff from this rule.

Both CA vice chairman, San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, and Lacson agreed to waive the provision of the law for Devesa, who is a multi-awarded officer.

But Lacson agreed to do so with “with an admonition that the (Department of National Defense) should be more conscious of this provision of the law henceforth and that the CA may no longer be lenient in this regard (in the future).”

Among the various awards and medals given to Devesa was the Philippine Legion of Honor in 2001.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the CA national defense committee, noted that Devesa received the award for carrying out the orders of the chief of staff to ensure maximum control of the AFP when former president Joseph Estrada was being asked to resign.