Centino the longest-serving AFP chief since 2014 – Pimentel

Lt. Gen. Andres Centino will be the longest-serving Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff since 2014, according to Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, House strategic intelligence committee chairperson.

“Owing to his fairly young age, Centino is expected to serve as AFP chief of staff for a total of 449 days, or until he reaches the compulsory retirement age of 56 on Feb. 4, 2023,” Pimentel said.

“In contrast, the 10 AFP chiefs of staff before Centino served only an average of 196 days,” Pimentel said.

Malacañang has named Centino, the Philippine Army commander, as the AFP’s 57th chief of staff.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Maringal” Class of 1988, Centino replaces Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Nov. 12.

Centino is the 11th military chief to be appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Before Centino, the longest-serving AFP chief of staff was Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who served for 544 days from January 20, 2013 to July 18, 2014.

Meanwhile, Pimentel asked for the support of his colleagues in Congress in passing House Bill 4050, which seeks to prescribe a fixed three-year tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff.

Once enacted, Pimentel said his bill would shore up the military’s overall readiness against potential foreign aggression, amid the country’s lingering dispute with China over maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Senate approved on third and final reading its counterpart bill last September, so there’s a good chance it will finally become law, provided the House also acts positively on our measure,” Pimentel said.

Under Pimentel’s bill, when the AFP chief of staff reaches 56 years old before completing the three-year term, his or her statutory forced retirement may be deferred by the President.

“Our bill affirms the President’s absolute power – as commander-in-chief of all armed forces – to remove the chief of staff any time before the end of 36 months for loss of trust and confidence,” Pimentel said.

The 1987 Constitution does not specify a minimum or fixed tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff, other than it “shall not exceed three years,” except when extended by the President in times of war or other national emergencies.

The AFP chief of staff has operational control over all armed service branches – the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Marine Corps.

The President selects the chief of staff from among the most senior military officers with the ranks of major general/rear admiral (two stars) to lieutenant general/vice admiral (three stars).

The chief of staff is the most senior Filipino soldier and holds the rank of four-star general or admiral.