The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Board of Generals, led by chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya, has appointed a senior officer to take the position of Judge Advocate General based at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Visaya said Col. Ukol Paglala, current Army Judge Advocate, will replace acting TJAG Col. Ser-me Ayuyao. The appointment of Paglala was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Paglala has still one year remaining in service and the JAG is a one-star, or brigadier general, position.
When contacted, Paglala confirmed his appointment and he has been scheduled for turnover on Tuesday.
Earlier, the appointment of Ayuyao as JAG was questioned because he was the most junior candidate in the list. But after Visaya assumed command, the BOG shunned controversial appointments by sticking to established military rules.
Even before he was installed to power, Duterte had ordered Visaya to restore the BOG.
“I have ordered to reactivate the Board of Generals,” Duterte said at his first press conference in Davao City after winning the election.
Duterte also warned government officials including the military and police not to ask favor from him or seek recommendation from senators, congressmen, governors, among others, just to get promoted.