Statement of Sen. Nene Pimentel on reported extension of tour of duty of Gen. Hermogenes Esperon as AFP chief of staff

I am sure this will be viewed with disfavor by senior military officers aspiring to succeed Gen. Esperon.

Secondly, it shows GMA is held hostage by some generals. This is due to the Garci connection. Esperon unfortunately was tainted by charges that he was involved in the rigging of the 2004 presidential election in Mindanao.

He could not be removed perhaps because he may squeal. In brief, it shows that GMA is held by the neck by some generals. And therefore, we have a creeping imperial presidency, which is being manipulated by a clique of generals who want the civilian head of government retained nevertheless to camouflage what they are doing.

So this is what we are facing today - a presidency that is no longer in control of the generals, but on the contrary being controlled by some generals.