Five senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines finally got their promotions confirmed on Wednesday, June 17, after weeks of delay caused by the Senate leadership war.

The Commission on Appointments (CA) held a special session to approve the promotions of Edmund Peralta as lieutenant general, Alan Javier as vice admiral, Isagani Criste as major general, Niceforo Diaz Jr. as brigadier general, and Rosemawatte Remo as brigadier general. The promotions of 85 Department of Foreign Affairs officials were also approved.

But the confirmation didn't go smoothly. Senator Rodante Marcoleta questioned the legality, citing Section 1 of Republic Act No. 11939. The law requires that an officer promoted to brigadier general, commodore, or higher must have at least one year of active service left before mandatory retirement.

During the hearing, Marcoleta asked Peralta for his birth date. "May 14, 1970," Peralta replied. Marcoleta noted that Peralta had already turned 56 and was bypassed upon sine die adjournment on June 3. The same problem applied to the other four officers.

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson defended the officers. Lacson, a former national police chief, argued that the ad interim appointments were just resubmissions of appointments issued before the regular session resumed on May 25, 2026. So the promotions were still valid despite the delay.

"Hindi naman nila kasalanan na nagkagulo-gulo kami sa Senado at hindi na-take up yung kanilang confirmation," Lacson said. (It's not their fault that things got chaotic in the Senate and their confirmation wasn't taken up.) He moved for confirmation.

Marcoleta wasn't convinced. He blamed the Senate leadership for declaring sine die adjournment without ensuring the CA acted on pending promotions. He pointed at Senator Win Gatchalian, who was Senate president pro tempore at the time and has now been elected Senate president.

But Gatchalian's camp could fire back. Days before, Marcoleta and his allies skipped multiple Senate sessions during the leadership dispute, contributing to the lack of quorum that stalled Senate business — including the CA's work on the generals' promotions.

Adding another layer to the blame game, the Senate under Alan Peter Cayetano's presidency had also failed to organize the CA itself before adjournment.

Despite his objections, Marcoleta stressed his questions weren't aimed at the officers. "I have nothing against the five officers subject of today's confirmation," he said. "I thank them for the gallantry and service to our nation." He added he was "just trying to make a point."

So who really held up the generals' promotions? The Senate leadership war, the lack of quorum, and the failure to organize the CA all played a part. The officers were caught in the middle of a political mess not of their making.