Gov Vi is now Lt. Colonel

Call her Lt. Col. Vilma Santos-Recto!  Gen. Raul Gabriel Dimatatac, 

Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force and Major 

General Edgardo Rene Samonte, Commander of the Air
Education and Training Command dons Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto

with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

   Lipa City—She’s in the service now!  In times of national emergency and disasters, expect Lt. Col. Vilma Santos-Recto in action.

   Philippine Air Force’s  newly commissioned reservist officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto said she is ready anytime when the time comes for her duty call.

   “That’s one responsibility that I have to face whether I like it or not. I’m a soldier now and as a reservist, when it comes to disasters and threats to national security, for example, if war breaks out, I’m ready for it,” the lady governor said.

   In the Oath-taking and Donning of Ranks Ceremony held at the Fernando Air Base in this city on Tuesda morning, Gen. Raul Gabriel Dimatatac, Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force and Major General Edgardo Rene Samonte, Commander of the Air Education and Training Command donned Gov. Vi with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

   The recognition is pursuant to Republic Act 7077 in order to maintain a regular military force in times of peace consonant to its adequate and actual needs for the security of the State but which can be rapidly expanded by the well-disciplined Citizen Forces in the event of war, invasion or rebellion.

   In her speech, Gov. Vi said never in her wildest dream did she ever thought of wearing that soldiers’ uniform or even donning the ranks of a lieutenant colonel.

   “But this is one responsibility that I’m glad to take anytime. I believe an effective leader can only be the best if she’s served as a soldier to protect the country,” Gov Vi added,” Though I know it’s not really not necessary as a reservist, I’d like to learn how to fly a Philippine Air Force plane.”

   Gov. Vi also said that this would also be a great help to Batangas in case of natural disasters as she could call her fellow soldiers at the Philippine Air Force for help.

   Also donned as newly commissioned reservist by the PAF was Batangas Vice Governor Jose Antonio Leviste II with the rank of major.

    “This is really another feather on my cap, but the most important thing is that this is also my dream come true,” Leviste said,” It has been a childhood dream for me to be a man in uniform.  But since my family was in the business sector, I had to venture into business, and later, politics. This Philippine Air Force rank is something that really makes me proud.”

Newly commissioned PAF reservist Lt. Colonel Vilma Santos-Recto flanked by
 Major General Edgardo Rene Samonte and Vice Governor Marc Leviste who 
was also donned with the rank of PAF Major.

   Asked if he would fly a plane soon, Leviste said he too, like Gov. Vi, wants to learn how to fly a plane.

   According to Gen. Raul Gabriel Dimatatac, Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, the rank given to Gov. Vi means a heavy responsibility too, as she would be called to respond to disasters.

   “But just like any other local executives who were given the ranks as reservists, Lt. Col. Vi is expected to help in national development projects of the Air Force like environment protection and many other campaigns.  In case of national emergencies and disastersr, as a reservist, her focus should be in Batangas, her area of responsibility where she could function as a governor and as a reservist,” Dimatatac added.

   The ceremony was capped with lunch at Samonte’s residence and photo ops with the PAF airmen and members of the Ladies’ Club (Mei Magsino, SLI)