Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda has been designated as acting chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines until a new one is appointed by the country’s next president.
In a ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Miranda replaced Gen. Hernando Iriberri who retired from the service yesterday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
President Aquino, in his remarks, explained that he was unable to appoint a new military chief due to a constitutional ban on appointments.
Miranda, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1983, was named AFP vice chief of staff just last month.
“Bagaman hindi na tayo makakapagtalaga ng Chief of Staff dahil sa mga pamantayan ng Saligang Batas, tiwala pa rin tayo na ang papalit kay Gen. Iriberri ay maipagpapatuloy ang maganda niyang nasimulan, sa nalalabing mga buwan ng ating termino,” Aquino said.
“Magiging acting chief of staff si Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, na kilala sa pagiging mapanuri at maparaan bilang strategist at sundalo,” he added.
Section 15, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides that a President or acting President shall not make appointments two months before the next elections and up to the end of his term. Exempted from the appointment ban are temporary appointments to executive positions when vacancies would prejudice public service or endanger public safety.
Miranda previously served as commanding general of the Northern Luzon Command. He also became the commanding general of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division in Nueva Ecija.
The President paid tribute to Iriberri during his retirement ceremony, lauding the professionalism, competence, and dedication in the military service.
Under Iriberri’s watch, Aquino said the military has neutralized high value targets such as Moroccan bomb instructor Mohammad Khattab and New People’s Army leader Maria Concepcion Bocala.
Aquino said 52 of the 76 provinces affected by the communist rebels’ activities have become “peaceful and ready for fueler development.” Of the 52 provinces, 21 have been declared peaceful during the term of Iriberri as Army chief and AFP chief of staff.
He said Iriberri also pursued AFP Transformation Roadmap 2013-2028 to strengthen the capability development and professionalization of the military. Aquino noted that the AFP received the “Islands of Good Governance Award” from the Institute for Solidarity in Asia as proof of the positive transformation in the military.
He said Iriberri’s leadership based on integrity and courage is the opposite of previous management where “pabaon” and transactionalism prevailed.
“Kaya sa iyo, Dodo, tanggapin mo ang taos-pusong pasasalamat naming lahat para sa iyong mga pagsisikap,” Aquino said.