The Philippine Navy will have a new flag-officer-in-command on November 12, a day before the mandatory retirement of outgoing Navy chief Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad.
Of the four contenders to replace Taccad, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Matikas Class of 1983.
The others contenders are Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Rafael Mariano, Fleet Commander Bayani Gaerland and Naval Education and Training Commander Narciso Bengson.
Taccad’s retirement will spur major changes in at least two area commands: the Westcom if Mercado is chosen as the new FOIC and the Central Command, which is currently headed by Maj. Gen. Raul del Rosario.
Del Rosario, an Air Force pilot, is touted to replace Mercado if he assumes the top Navy post.
Sources from the AFP said Inspector General Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao may replace Del Rosario as Centcom head.
Lactao, a member of the PMA Maharlika Class of 1984, was linked to the so-called “Novotel generals” who allegedly met with then presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II weeks before the May polls.
Lactao denied that he was part of the meeting, saying he was at the Novotel hotel in Cubao for personal reasons and that he was only “at the wrong place and at the wrong time.”