Paquiao, formerly a Master Sergeant, jumped five ranks to Lieutenant Colonel
The Palace on Monday dismissed criticism from the former head of the National Defense College that its promotion of boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao to lieutenant colonel went against established rules requiring any officer to be promoted to be a college graduate.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Pacquiao was entitled to the rank like other elected officials.
“It was because of his position as a congressman [that]... he is entitled to the rank of lieutenant colonel,” he said, citing an Armed Forces circular awarding the same position to senators, provincial governors and mayors of cities.
