21 Marso 2024, Huwebes
supports Fire Prevention Month
deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili
supports Women Month March
joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season
welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay
AFP brass promo halted after battered wife’s complaint
By J.Lo
“He was bypassed, so he has to come back…but he still has chance…he still has three more years,” Commission on Appointments (CA) Chairman and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said an aspiring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) brigadier general accused of domestic abuse by his wife was bypassed by CA.
Ranulfo Sevilla, deputy commander of AFP-Special Operations Command, is back to being colonel after he failed to get CA confirmation due to opposition of his wife Tessa Luz Aura Reyes-Sevilla.
Sevilla was not among 129 AFP officers whose ad interim appointments were confirmed by CA earlier.
It was Sevilla’s first time to be bypassed, according to Zubiri.
A nominee can only be bypassed three times during confirmation process. Bypassed nominee is one whose appointment was not acted upon by CA before adjournment of Congress.
Congress is set to go on recess from March 23 to April 28. It will resume session on April 29 to May 24, before it adjourns on May 25.
Sevilla was bypassed to allow him to put into writing his commitment during CA hearings to give child support to their two children, one of whom has special needs.
He was accused of beating up his wife and neglecting his children, contributing measly P2,000 for his two kids with Reyes-Sevilla.
During hearing, Sevilla promised to give half of his take-home pay to support their children.
He was initially reluctant to give beyond P30,000 as child support. But he later gave in and said he would give P50,000 of his take-home pay, even though all he would be left with is food for himself.
When informed that there was amount that committee set during previous CA executive session, Sevilla said he was not aware of it.
“I hope you also consider my willingness to comply…just miscommunication as to how much money I should give monthly,” he added.
This compelled CA national defense committee chairman and Camiguin Lone District Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo to call out Sevilla for lying before committee and feigning ignorance.
Romualdo said Sevilla’s being bypassed led to his being denied CA confirmation.
Sevilla, has another chance to seek CA confirmation as long as he does not get bypassed again.
CA member and Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel urged nominees to be faithful to their wives and keep good record both in their work and at home.
“May this be a warning to you…you will be assigned to different stations and you will be tempted when you meet beautiful, sexy women…so don’t be playboys… I urge you to be loyal and faithful to your wives,” Pimentel said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who blocked Sevilla’s confirmation, said “no wife or child should have to beg for basic child support.”
“This is also teaching moment for all our institutions: character is just as important as competence,” Hontiveros said.
Sevilla’s wife lauded CA for bypassing her husband undeserving of promotion, saying that incident should serve as wake-up call for armed forces to discipline their ranks, especially those with extramarital affairs.
“May this be a lesson for our gentlemen in the AFP to love their families, their partners and children,” Reyes-Sevilla said.
Gemini Baladad, another victim of domestic abuse by retired general, accompanied Reyes-Sevilla to call on military to call out their errant officers.
“I am here to spread awareness that this is really happening and something must be done… unsung heroes here are wives of soldiers,” Baladad said.
Baladad, who suffered three miscarriages due to abuse, added that “something must be corrected so that we can have safer place.”
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