Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be someone capable of building on the legacy of outgoing AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who is set to retire on 21 July.

The tenure of the AFP chief is governed by Republic Act No. 11939, or the “Act Further Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the AFP,” which amended Republic Act No. 11709.

Under the law, the AFP Chief of Staff is granted a fixed maximum tour of duty of three years, unless sooner terminated by the President. Brawner assumed office on 21 July 2023.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Air Force’s 79th founding anniversary in Pasay City, Teodoro said the choice of the next AFP chief ultimately rests with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Yun ay usapin na for the decision of the President. Yung choice na Chief of Staff talaga ay bukod-tangi sa lahat ng mga posisyon sa AFP. Hihintayin ko, hihintayin naming lahat ang pasya ng Presidente,” he said.

Teodoro said he could recommend a successor, but stressed that the process should remain confidential.

“Itong proseso ay between the President and the SND—privileged ito kaya hindi puwedeng i-discuss,” Teodoro said.

He, however, hinted that Brawner’s successor should continue and strengthen the retiring general’s accomplishments.

“Ang succession ay very important. Mahirap din. We must choose somebody who will build on, na magtutuloy ng legacy ni Gen. Brawner,” Teodoro said, praising the outgoing AFP chief for setting a high standard of leadership.

Teodoro cited Brawner’s accomplishments both locally and internationally, his management of the military’s joint services, and his role in advancing reforms within the AFP.

“Mahirap yung standard na ipinakita ni Gen. Brawner na mataas—whether sa local or international, tsaka sa overall management ng joint services ng AFP, at katulong ko sa reforms na kinakailangang gawin, at sa transition from solely ISO [internal security operations] to both [internal security and external defense],” he said.

Teodoro emphasized that the leadership transition is critical and that the incoming AFP chief must sustain the reforms and momentum established under Brawner.