CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City-General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), led the ceremony to don military ranks to Philippine Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on April 8, 2024.
Senator Zubiri was conferred with the minimum rank of Lieutenant Colonel, in accordance with Republic Act 7077 Section 44, which permits elected officials and presidential appointees to be commissioned in the Reserve Force subject to existing AFP rules and regulations.
The ceremony highlighted the esteemed role of civilian leaders in supporting the AFP's mission to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and security. During his speech, the military chief commended the Senate President for his commitment to serving the nation by becoming an AFP reservist.
“He is not only content with supporting the defense of our country from the sidelines, not from the halls of the Senate, and not only through the support of financial packages for the AFP. For him, this is not enough. For him, he has to don the uniform himself, go through the training and offer his life,” Gen Brawner Jr said.
