ARMED Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. is scheduled to officially retire later this month, on July 21, 2026.
His retirement concludes a fixed three-year tour of duty as provided under Republic Act No. 11939, which was designed to bring leadership continuity to the military top brass and eliminate the short-term “revolving door” appointments of the past. General Brawner has already begun his farewell and exit visits to various military commands.
The frequently asked question is who will succeed him. While Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has emphasized that the final selection rests solely with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., several top-ranking military officials are being closely watched as leading contenders to succeed General Brawner.
The primary candidates include:
Lt. Gen. Rommel P. Roldan, the Acting AFP Vice Chief of Staff. Holding the second-highest post in the military traditionally positions him as a natural frontrunner for the top spot.
Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Navarrete, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He leads the largest service branch of the AFP, which has historically produced the majority of the country’s military chiefs.
Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta, the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy. His candidacy carries significant weight given the administration’s strong strategic focus on maritime security and defending the West Philippine Sea.
Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force. He has been instrumental in overseeing major air modernization initiatives, making him a strong contender as the military shifts toward an external defense posture.
Also under consideration are Lt. Gen. Peralta, Maj. Gen. Reyes, Lt. Gen. Gumiran, and others.
According to defense analysts and Malacañang insiders, the President’s choice will likely depend on who can best sustain the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept and maintain seamless continuity with international defense partners like the United States, Japan, and Australia.
