Misamis Oriental bets oppose appointment of mayoral bet’s son as army division chief 

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The petitioners question the propriety of Brigadier General Michele Anayron Jr.’s appointment as 4th Infantry Division chief, saying his father is running for mayor in Misamis Oriental, which is under his jurisdiction

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A group of politicians seeking key positions in Misamis Oriental have petitioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to oppose the appointment of a general as commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, citing potential conflicts of interest.

The petition was filed against newly installed 4th ID commander Brigadier General Michele Anayron Jr. by former Misamis Oriental 2nd District representative and gubernatorial candidate Juliette Uy, her running mate, provincial board member Frederick Khu, and 27 other candidates in the province.

The petition was sent to Elections Chairman George Garcia, with copies furnished to local Comelec officials and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.

The petition was filed less than a month after Anayron assumed command of the Cagayan de Oro-based Army division amid local political tensions ahead of the midterm elections.

The petitioners questioned the propriety of Anayron’s appointment, pointing out that his father and namesake, Michele Sr., is running for mayor in Sugbongcogon, a town in Misamis Oriental under the jurisdiction of the 4th ID and near Cagayan de Oro.

Did he disclose?

They called for the recall of Anayron’s appointment, citing potential conflicts of interest for the general, who sits as a member of the Comelec’s Regional Joint Security and Control Center.

Anayron’s appointment “undermines the conduct of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections,” a part of the petition read.

The petition cited a clause in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ code of ethical principles and standards, which states that “Members shall effectively disclose all potential and actual conflicts of interest; such disclosure does not preclude or imply ethical impropriety.”

The petitioners, led by ex-congresswoman Uy, are challenging the reelection bid of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia. Anayron’s father, a provincial board member, is running for town mayor under Unabia’s political party against Uy’s candidate.

Uy’s group expressed concern that Army soldiers could be used to intimidate voters in favor of Unabia’s group in Misamis Oriental.

General’s assurance

Anayron Jr. said the Army would remain professional and neutral, avoiding partisan politics.

“As the commander of 4th ID, my directive and guidance for my sub-unit commanders is very clear: for us to be nonpartisan and apolitical,” Anayron told Cagayan de Oro-based Magnum Radio.

He said the military would be under Comelec’s control during the election period to ensure peace and order.

Anayron also urged the petitioners to discuss the matter with his father’s political opponents in Sugbongcogon and assess whether their concerns about his appointment were valid.

On separate occasions, Anayron and 4th ID spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Garello said the appointment was based on merit and had been approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Anayron’s father, Michele Sr., told local broadcaster Strong Radio that he never sought his son’s support for his political activities.

Maria Dulce Cuevas-Banzon, assistant director of Comelec in Northern Mindanao, confirmed that they received the petition on February 24 and forwarded it to the central office.

“Actually, he (Garcia) wouldn’t be the only one to decide on it. He will also refer it to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Cuevas-Banzon told reporters on Tuesday, February 25. – Rappler.com