PCG torn over retirement age question

At what age should a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer retire from service?

The retirement of outgoing Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Damian Carlos tomorrow hangs as this question remains unresolved and officials at PCG confused on whether the answer is 56 or 65.

The PCG is also preparing for the turnover ceremony even as Malacañang has yet to name the replacement of Carlos.

Some Coast Guard officials said they have received an opinion saying Civil Service rules, including mandatory retirement age of 65, should apply to PCG since they are under the jurisdiction of Department of Transportation and Communication, making them civilian in nature.

But some of them argued it has been a traditional practice in PCG to apply military rules, where 56 is mandatory retirement age.

“The issue is really getting complicated. There is a ruling that PCG is under civil service rules but past commandants retired at 56, so we don’t know which rule to follow,” a PCG official commented on condition of anonymity.

The source further revealed that officials in favor of Carlos’ retirement support Abinoja’s bid to become the next PCG chief.

PCG officials supporting the traditional retirement rule argued that it would be unfair for past commandants to allow Carlos to extend his term since they were not given the same opportunity.

“There are other concerns like issue of compensation because we don’t enjoy some benefits given to civil servants. So it’s really complicated,” added the source.

Carlos, for his part, said he would serve at the pleasure of President Arroyo.

“I don’t think there is issue of extension. The issue here really is determination of applicable laws on retirement of uniformed personnel at PCG in relation to age – whether we use rules of Armed Forces of the Philippines or those of Civil Service Commission. Now, as long as the President wants me to serve, I will,” he told The STAR over the phone.

Carlos has submitted four names of officials to the Palace as choices for his replacement: Vice Admiral Danilo Abinoja, Rear Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Commodore Ramon Liwag and Commodore Alex Flora.

Abinoja, the next most senior PCG officer in line, is currently deputy commandant for operations of Coast Guard. He belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1974, the same class as Carlos and newly appointed Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon.

Tamayo, on the other hand, is deputy commandant for administration and a member of US Coast Guard Academy Batch 1979.

Liwag, currently commander of PCG Maritime Security Command, is a member of PMA Class of 1979.

Carlos was named 20th commandant of PCG in November last year, replacing Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan.     – Edu Punay