FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army’s Reserve Command (ARESCOM) has relieved six ranking ready-reserve officers seeking elective posts in the May 2022 elections to ensure the organization’s non-partisanship.
Actor and reservist Captain Robin Padilla, who is seeking a Senate seat, recently quit his post as head of the communications panel of the Philippine Army’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB).
Other reservists seeking elective posts have also been relieved from their positions: Brig. Gen. Herbert Bautista (Res), who is seeking a Senate seat; Col. Isidro Ungab, who is running for reelection as Davao City’s 3rd District Representative; Lt. Col. Eugene Balitang, who is running to represent the lone district of Ifugao; and Lt. Col. Jayvee Tyron Uy who is joining the Davao de Oro Vice gubernatorial race; and Lt. Col. Rhodora
Cadiao who is seeking reelection as Antique governor.
The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA), and concurrent AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino have reiterated the Army’s non-partisanship in the coming polls.
Lt. Gen. Centino, in recent command guidance, directed all Philippine Army units and personnel to avoid engaging in partisan politics; maintain professionalism while performing duty, and avoid posting photos or videos that express political gestures.
“We have proven that together with the Philippine National Police, the military is a dependable deputy of the Comelec in ensuring that we have a fair election,” Centino said in a separate interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Usec. Rocky Ignacio on Nov. 29.
“We assure the public that as a professional organization, the military will be non-partisan. We will perform our mandate of ensuring fair elections,” Centino emphasized.
The Omnibus Election Code bars soldiers and law enforcement agencies from engaging in any partisan political activity, including campaigning for any candidate.
FORMER DESIGNATION OF RELIEVED RESERVISTS OFFICERS WHO ARE CANDIDATES IN THE NEXT ELECTION
- COL. ISIDRO UNGAB (RES) PA – Former Brigade Commander of 2002nd Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade (RRIBde) in Davao City
- LTC JOHN TRACY F CAGAS (RES) PA – Former Commanding Officer of 1101st Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn) in Davao del Sur
- LTC EUGENE M BALITANG (RES) PA – Former Commanding Officer of 1404th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion in Ifugao.
- BGEN HERBERT CONSTANTIN M BAUTISTA (RES) PA – Former Brigade Commander of 1502nd RRIBde in NCR.
- LTC JAYVEE TYRON L UY (RES) PA – Former Commanding Officer of 1103rd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion in Davao De Oro.
- CPT ROBIN PADILLA (RES) PA – Former Chairperson, STRATCOM, PA MSAB
- LTC RHODORA CADIAO (RES) PA – Former Commanding Officer of 602nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion in Antique.
(ARESCOM) – bny
