Amid reports over the possible extension of term of Gen. Victor Ibrado as Armed Forces (AFP) Chief of Staff, a military official said there are 12 other generals who are eligible to assume the top post.

Ibrado is due to retire on March 10 but various groups and politicians have been endorsing to the President the extension of his term until after the May polls to ensure continuity and consistency in the handling of peace and order concerns for the elections.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Ibrado has repeatedly expressed he is willing and ready to follow whatever the President’s decision will be.

The name of Army Chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1978 of which President Arroyo is an adopted member, has been prominently mentioned to become the next AFP Chief of Staff when Ibrado turns 56 in March.

But a top military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there are other contenders who are as qualified and said the selection of the next military chief is not limited to Bangit.

“Bangit, no doubt, is highly qualified but others are as competent as the Army chief. In fact, some of his lesser known classmates are gunning for the top post,” said the official, who also pointed out that other members of PMA “Masikap” Class of ’77 and “Magilas” Class of ’76 are also being considered because of seniority.

“Class ’77 members are fielding their bets also and they’re making their presence felt. Two from Class 76 are also very much qualified to replace their mistah [Ibrado],” the official added.

He acknowledged that Bangit is the most controversial among the contenders because of his class’ affiliation with the Chief Executive.

“Naipit talaga si Gen. Bangit. He is deserving and so are his classmates and members of Class ’77,” the official said.

The others vying for the top military post are Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena (Class ’78), Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu (Class ’78), commander of the National Capital Region Command; Gen. Nestor Ochoa (Class ’77), commander, National Development and Support Command; Gen. Ricardo David (Class ’77), commander, Northern Luzon Command; Roland Detabali (Class ’78), commander, Southern Luzon Command (Solcom); Gen. Ralph Villanueva (Class ’78), commander, Central Command (Centcom); Gen. Raymundo Ferrer (Class ’77), commander, Eastern Mindanao Command; Gen. Ben Dolorfino (Class ’76), commander, Western Mindanao Command; Navy Flag Officer in Command Ferdinand Solis Golez (Class ’76); Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, and Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon (both members of Class ’76).

Ferrer is an Army general known for his peace-building efforts in the conflict-affected areas involving Moro rebels in Mindanao.

David was the former commander of the 4th Infantry Division before he was named to head the Northern Luzon Command based in Tarlac City. He took over from Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela who now heads the Central Command in Cebu City.

Villanueva was the former commander of the 7th Infantry Division based at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija while Ochoa was the former commander of the 5th Infantry Division based in Gamu, Isabela.

Mapagu is the commanding general of the AFP National Capital Region Command, the anti-coup force in Metro Manila.

Former Marines commander Dolorfino, who was appointed Wesmincom chief, was not without controversy.

His appointment paved the way for Maj. Gen. John Martir to command the 8,000- strong elite Marines Corps.