The proposal to extend the term of General Victor Ibrado as Armed Forces chief of staff for three months, until President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo steps down in June 2010, got more support, even from the three presidential aspirants in next year's elections.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said, “with the level of confidence they are giving to our Chief of Staff (Ibrado), it means that our armed forces have become independent, apolitical and professional”.

Ibrado, the first Negrense to head the 175,000-strong AFP, is expected to retire March 10 next year, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Presidential hopefuls Benigno Aquino III, Manuel Villar and Francis Escudero have signed a manifesto urging Arroyo to extend the term of Ibrado, to ensure the stability and continuity in the leadership of AFP during the May 2010 elections.

But Ibrado said the proposal to extend his term relies on the President.

“I'm sure the President is studying all these things,” Remonde, who was apparently referring to the call to extend Ibrado's term as AFP chief, in a Malacañang statement, said.

Ibrado earlier dismissed as “baseless” claims that members of the Philippine Military Academy 1978 are plotting to oust him as AFP chief chief of staff, based on the so-called “Oplan August Moon”, with Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit as his successor.

The manifesto, jointly signed by Aquino, Escudero and Villar, said “The May 2010 elections is particularly crucial and important not only because the nation would be electing the next President and Vice President who will lead the Republic during the next six years, but also this is the very first time that the Philippines will be conducting automated elections."

They added that Ibrado enjoys the support and respect of the officers and men of the AFP as well as the entire nation.*GPB

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