MANILA, Philippines — Military reservist and former 1-PACMAN party-list representative Michael Romero on Thursday relinquished his duties commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon and retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force.
In a letter addressed to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Romero thanked the military leadership and the military personnel with whom he served.
“It has been a profound privilege and honor to serve our country alongside the dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Romero, whose promotion as a reserved brigadier general in the Philippine Air Force was only confirmed last Aug. 13, 2026, said.
The development comes amid the controversy surrounding his military awards as well as his honorary badges and insignia.
Romero insisted that there was no “stolen valor” and all his recognition, even from other military branches and commands, were through “official merit” and backed by “official records.”
Despite his retirement from the reserve force, Romero stressed that his “duty to our people, our sovereignty, our flag, and our country will endure.”
As a member of the House of Representatives, Romero played a part in the increased salaries and benefits of military and uniformed personnel in 2018.
He also supported the allocation of about P22 billion for the PAF’s acquisition of three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to strengthen strategic airlift, humanitarian assistance and disaster-response capabilities.
Romero also one of principal authors of RA 10931, or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges and other covered public institutions.
He was also listed as a principal author of RA 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which paved the way for the institutionalized automatic health-care coverage for Filipinos.
Romero served as deputy majority leader during the 17th Congress, senior deputy speaker during the 18th Congress, and chairman of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation during the 19th Congress.
