THE news about the powerful Commission on Appointments’ approval of the ad interim appointments of newly promoted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and 37 other generals and Navy flag officers hogged headlines on Aug. 14, 2026.
According to reports, among those whose ad interim appointments were approved include erstwhile members of the House of Representatives. They are Brig. Gen. Michael “Mikee” Romero of the reserve force of the Philippine Air Force, who was a 1-Pacman party-list representative; and Col. Divina Grace Yu of the reserve force of the Philippine Army, who is a former lawmaker and current Zamboanga del Sur governor. And among the many photos that flooded social media, this stood out: a snapshot of Nafarrete with a beaming Romero wearing his Air Force general’s uniform that is literally teeming with badges and medal ribbons heavily laden with various appurtenances.
Netizens and high-ranking active and retired members of the AFP took to social media and chat groups to share their observations of that photo. Retired Philippine Marine Corps Maj. Alex Anicete made a lengthy post in the vernacular about that photo he saw in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that bothered him amid “a deluge they are experiencing in his province.” He was puzzled why Romero seems to have more medals than the AFP chief.
“Did he (Romero) ever before battled with rebels and terrorists,” Anicete asked, citing what he saw. “Gold Cross and numerous Triple Ms (Military Merit Medals) — with spearhead devices to boot — that can only be earned in actual combat where the awardee showed extraordinary courage,” he said. His comment elicited pointed remarks. Some asked whether Romero deserves the “nine layers of medals” he wore (Nafarrete has only eight), while others proposed a review of the procedure of awarding medals, especially to reservists. Add to that the claim of Alexander Balutan, retired Marine major general and awardee of the Distinguished Conduct Star, that a regular soldier who allegedly lost an eye in combat was not given an award.
What the fuss: Why the issue of the medal matters
I perfectly understand the sentiment. Just so readers will better understand, let me explain.
Every medal, every badge that soldiers wear on their uniforms, is covered by appropriate orders that authorize the donning of such “awards and decorations,” as they are called in military parlance. But before such orders are issued, the act/s being considered for award have to go through a tedious process, beginning from the submission of a written “description of deeds” that follows a prescribed format, certified and signed by the commanding officer. Stringent deliberations by different-level Awards and Decorations Boards follow, and the results are submitted to the appropriate approving authority, depending on the medal.
In case of conspicuous gallantry in combat for an act above and beyond the call of duty where the Medal for Valor is considered, or when, after deliberation, the act merits the “lesser” award of Distinguished Conduct Star or Gold Cross (in that descending order of hierarchy), a more stringent process is observed. Aside from the recommendation of the immediate commanding officer who describes in detail the deeds that led to the successful operation, there must be affidavits from colleagues who personally witnessed the act being considered. The sketch of the armed encounter site is also among other requirements for submission.
I was privileged in a couple of instances to be one of the members of the Navy and of the AFP Awards and Decorations Boards deliberating recommendations for award. I remember having successfully backed the recommendation to bestow upon one Lt. George DP Alvarez, a Navy aviator, the Distinguished Aviation Cross for flying his airplane from Puerto Princesa in Palawan to Sangley Point in Cavite, even without night-flight capability. There was opposition from senior members of the board, calling it a daring act, if not silly, to endanger his life and the aircraft. But I pointed out that that peril could have given the pilot a convenient excuse, and yet, unmindful of his personal safety and with proven competence and experience, he heroically took on the mission to save the life of a sailor in critical condition from burns he sustained from an accidental liquefied petroleum gas explosion aboard a ship.
Badges are different. Commanders, with the approval of the appropriate boards, are given some leeway and discretion in awarding these to individuals who have met certain criteria. It could be for exemplifying the unit’s virtues, materially supporting the unit, or advancing the unit’s missions and objectives. This explains why someone wears Navy SEAL, Scout Ranger or Army Special Forces badges even if he has not completed these elite units’ extraordinarily rigorous and difficult training.
About Romero, news items say he “played a key role in supporting the Philippine Air Force modernization program, including the acquisition of three C-130J aircraft.” Being the chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservists Administrators of the Philippines Inc., he is credited for his “longstanding commitment to strengthening the country’s air defense and the reservist force capabilities.” That may be among the reasons the former House deputy speaker and businessman has what he wears on his uniform.
Are we barking at the wrong tree?
But why, then, should the issue bother the former legislator? He may have no qualms about not having those medals and badges in the first place. He may even say he did not ask for it; it was given to him. I even doubt if he knows the name of each medal he was wearing.
Why pick on the reservist general and why should it matter to him? He might, in the sound discretion of the awarding authority, deserve the awards, after all. Critics may have to trust and give the benefit of the doubt that a process was followed.
But the matter surely bothers those who have served and are still serving in the military.
This should be a wake-up call to revisit AFP Regulations G-131-054, or the AFP Awards and Decorations Manual, since its last update in 2014.
Members of award-giving bodies must be more prudent and thorough in the deliberation of every recommendation and mindful of the supposed prestige and high regard that every soldier, airman, sailor, and Marine — regular or reservist, active or retired — attach to the medals.
And the fact that past and present service members react to this issue that others may find petty is a strong indication that medals remain valued, and bestowing them must be zealously guarded. We know there were many who have shed blood, sweat, and tears; rendered sacrifices; exposed their limbs to peril; and placed their lives in harm’s way in the name of duty. Yet, a number of them were not properly recognized with the medals they deserve. And then this.
Military medals are earned; they are not given as a reward.
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