Two senators supported Friday calls for the Executive branch to extend the tenure of Gen. Victor Ibrado, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), until after the crucial May 10, 2010 presidential elections.

Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon, former AFP chief of staff and chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, said Irabo’s term which ends on March 10 should be extended considering the controversial ‘’Hello Garci’’ fiasco in the 2004 presidential election where critics still doubt whether or not President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo really won the election.

Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia’’ S. Cayetano said it would be more prudent for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to extend Ibrado’s term “and just allow her successor to appoint his replacement after the elections.’’

“I understand that General Ibrado is well-respected in the military because of his professionalism and clean record. He was never personally linked to anomalies nor accused of political partisanship. His leadership qualities will be crucial in ensuring the neutrality of the military leadership in the coming national polls,’’ she said.

Ibrado’s “mistahs’’ (classmates) at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) led by its PMA Class 1976 president, retired police general Leopoldo Bataoil, are supporting calls for the extension of Ibrado’s term.

Bataoil stated that the nation, with Ibrado at the helm of 140,000-man AFP, can be assured of a clean and peaceful elections that would contribute to the country’s stability. (Mario Casayuran)