Confirmation of one-star general deferred over objections of ex-wife

- Advertisement -

A Commission on Appointments-Committee on National Defense yesterday deferred the confirmation to one-star general of Colonel Ranulfo Sevilla after his former wife expressed opposition, citing the alleged abuses of her former husband.

The CA panel’s decision was affirmed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri after members of the committee held a closed-door meeting to discuss the issues on Sevilla. A gag order has been issued by a Dipolog City regional trial court hearing an ongoing case between him and his former wife.

Zubiri said they have deferred Sevilla’s confirmation to brigadier general pending his written consent that he would provide full financial support to his children.

- Advertisement -

He said it is important for the CA to thoroughly assess the character of a nominee to make sure they are fit for the job.

The Philippine Army declined to comment on the case of Sevilla, with Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala saying: “We cannot comment on the case of Brig. Gen. Sevilla since it is already an ongoing legal process.”

Dema-ala said the Army is implementing a Gender-Based Violence Referral System, which he said “signifies the Army’s commitment to gender equality and well-being of its soldiers and dependents.

“The Philippine Army enforces its gender policies and laws which promote women and girls’ access to safety and justice,” said Dema-ala.

He said Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido has emphasized to Army personnel “to value the sanctity of a family because they have a big impact in a soldiers’ professional development and personal outlook in life, especially towards his sworn duty to serve the people and the country.”

Sevilla is the deputy commander of the AFP’s Special Operations Command in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

In an interview before the CA meeting, Tessa Reyes-Sevilla, the officer’s estranged second wife, said her former husband does not deserve to be promoted to brigadier general since he lacks “responsibility and accountability.”

She said she filed the opposition to his promotion in September last year.

She said that her former husband’s abuses include inconsistently giving a mere P2,000 financial assistance to their children.

“He doesn’t deserve to be promoted. No amount of sorry or money will make me back down. Nothing will make us back down, we deserve to be vindicated,” she said, adding: “When he does not see his children, he will cut the financial support even if there is already a court order. That kind of person who oppresses people, especially women and children, does not deserve to be promoted.”

Aside from the lack of financial support, she said that he is a womanizer which he reportedly flaunts on social media sites.

“Is that the way how an honorable gentleman who graduated from a prestigious academy should act? That he allows his paramour to live with him inside the camp? Me and his children are begging (for support]) Is that the kind of person they will promote to brigadier general?” she added.

She added there were times he physically hurt her while they were still together.

She said a court had ordered the AFP official to provide financial support to his children, but the AFP leadership reportedly ignored it.

Zubiri said he was not aware of such issues against Sevilla.

“Of course, what the Commission on Appointments wants is that every time we appoint members of the AFP, we also want to have officers that you call an officer and a gentleman. Suffice to say, with good moral backbone, good moral standards,” he said.

He said the CA panel will proceed with the deliberations on Sevilla’s confirmation once he issues a waiver that he would give a portion of his salary to his children.

- Advertisement -spot_img

Zubiri said Sevilla’s case is not isolated since the CA has also deferred the confirmation of appointments of Cabinet secretaries and ambassadors due to concubinage.

After the issue on Sevilla, the CA confirmed the appointments of eight foreign affairs officials and nine officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

APPOINTMENTS

President Marcos Jr. has appointed several individuals to different departments, led by former Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) assistant secretary Felix J. Castro Jr. who was named assistant secretary at the Office of the President.

Castro, who was appointed last February 19, is a former Task Force Bangon Marawi field office manager and former presidential assistant for Marawi Rehabilitation.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in Facebook, also announced the appointment of former deputy treasurer Sharon Almanza as the national treasurer.

Also appointed were Joven Balbosa as Finance Undersecretary and Gerald Alan Quebral as Finance Assistant Secretary.

Balbosa previously worked with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Also appointed last March 1 as director IV of the DOF were Cherry Mae P. Gonzales and Donalyn U. Minimo, while Rizalino Jose C. Torralba was named as customs collector vice Alexandra Y. Lumontad.

Other appointees include Christian Tan N. Aguado and Reggie O. Cruz as “Part-Time Commissioners” of the Languages of the Southern Cultural Communities vice Jerry B. Gracio; Bianca Patrice C. Go as commissioner of the National Youth Commission, representing Mindanao; and Ernesto Severino as member of the board of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Also appointed were Christopher V. Morales and Ivy Grace as undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture; Constante D. Palabrica as assistant secretary; and director IVs Ernesto C. Enriquez; Larry D. Lacson as Director IV of the Department of Agriculture; and Abbey Charles F. Gawaran as director III.

The President also appointed Cris Tenorio as Director IV to the Office of the President; Reymundo De Guzman as Director II of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives; Directors IVs Sittie Rahma V. Alawi; Jimmicio S. Daoaten of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Reynaldo Sy as Director III of DICT; and Julius N. Leonen and Adrian B. Bautista as Director III and Director II of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), respectively.

The President also named Manuel S. Plaza as a member of the board of the Games and Amusement Board vice Sherwin B. Bugarin, and Gregorio Pastorfide as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines. — With Victor Reyes and Jocelyn Montemayor

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: