New Army chief known Tuesday — Lacierda

President Benigno Aquino III is set to announce the successor of retiring Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Monday.

In a phone interview with Malacañang reporters, Lacierda refused to confirm reports that Aquino has already chosen Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, as the next Army chief.

“We will be announcing it by tomorrow, I believe so. Wala pa akong nakakausap, I’ve not spoken to the President on that point because we will know by tomorrow kung sino po ang kanyang choice," he said.

Asked if it will be Bautista, Lacierda said: “I wouldn’t know. As far as we are concerned, we are still waiting for official confirmation from the President."

Ortiz is set to retire from service on November 13 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Bautista, 53, graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News

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