MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III named Lieutenant General Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The President made the announcement during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Laon Alab Class 2011 in Baguio City, Sunday.
Oban, who belongs to PMA Class 1979, holds the third highest post in the AFP.
He is reportedly one of the "early favorites" of the President to succeed General Ricardo David, who is set to retire on March 8 (Tuesday) upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Oban finished a degree at the University of Sto. Tomas before entering the PMA.
He also holds a master's in business economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
He was one of the top graduates of his PMA class.
President Aquino will lead the turnover ceremony on Monday in Camp Aguinaldo.
The President also commissioned 196 first-class cadets of the PMA as second lieutenants and ensigns of the AFP during the graduation rites at the PMA's Borromeo Field.
Cadet First Class Angelo Parras, 21, of Apalit, Pampanga, received the Presidential Saber from the President for topping his class. Parras is reportedly joining the Navy.
Cadet First Class John Gregor Guiang, 21, of Zamboanga del Norte, and Jason Cortes Luna, 23, of Enrile, Cagayan ranked second and third, respectively.
Also included in the list of the PMA top 10 graduate are Aljay Cabriga Dino of Naic, Cavite; Rigor Nagar Pamittan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Janice Baniaga Matbagan of Baguio City; Bobby Gabayno of Cainta, Rizal; Ramon Kristofer Ganab Engay of Tuao, Cagayan; Norman Avila Carual of Tabaco City, Albay; and Jason Fabros Parinas of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.
This year's graduating class is the youngest in the last five years, with their median ages at between 20 and 22.
PMA officials said the class has at least 10 members who will graduate at 20. They would need a waiver to serve as officers in the military because the Armed Forces require its members to be at least 21.
Of the 196 graduates, 22 are females. One hundred and five cadets will join the Army, 51 will go to the Navy, and 40 will join the Air Force.
President Aquino will have a lunch with the graduates and their families at the Mansion - the official residence of the President in Baguio City.
Present at the PMA graduation rites were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
