Picture of Lt. General Eduardo Oban Jr., the new Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff.
(photo credit to dnd.gov.ph)
President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III announced the appointment of Eduardo Oban Jr. before 196 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Laon Class of 2011 in Baguio City, Philippines on March 6, 2011.
During the graduation ceremony, President Aquino said,
"Wala akong duda sa kakayahan niyang ipagpatuloy ang mga repormang sinimulan ni Gen. Ricardo David at lalo pang paigtingin ang programang pangkapayapaan ng sandatahang lakas. Nawa’y magsilbi siyang inspirasyon (I don't doubt his capability to continue the reforms started by Gen. Ricardo David, and to intensify the peace programs of the armed forces. May he serve as an inspiration),”Early and Personal Life
Oban was born in Castilla, Sorsogon, Philippines. He is married to the former Ms. Maria Concepcion Paderon and is father to Tobit Eric Raphael P Oban. He began his elementary days in Parañaque. His sterling academic history, Zamudio said, surfaced when he began to habitually land among the top graduates in PMA, of a language training course, pilot training, Squadron Officers Course and the Air Command and Staff Course.
Education
Oban finished his college at the University of Santo Tomas before he joined the PMA. He was armed with degrees in business economics from the University of Asia and Pacific in Mandaluyong and completed his masteral studies in 2005 when he was then PAF’s operations officer.
Military Career
Eduardo Oban Jr. belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1979. Prior to the appointment as the Chief of Staff, Oban served as the Vice Commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) and as the deputy Chief of Staff for the administration and supervision of the joint coordinating, technical and special staffs of the military headquarters. He is viewed by many as the perfect back-stop for PAF Chief Lt. General Oscar Rabena, a member of PMA Class 1978 who was also the top AFP planner before he was named to lead the 17,000-strong major service command. He is the third Chief of Staff to come from the air force since 1996.
He also served as a Special Assistant to the Minister of Trade and Industry from 1984 to 1986, and thereafter as the Military Assistant to the Deputy Defense Minister before becoming the group commander of the Defense Intelligence and Security Group from November 1986 up to January 1988.
Oban played a major role in the negotiation with Magdalo rebels involved in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003.
Agenda as Chief of Staff in the Philippines
Eduardo Oban Jr., as an elected Chief of Staff in the Philippines plans to promote greater transparency in the military. He will sustain the reform initiatives of his predecessors, particularly retiring AFP chief Ricardo David Jr., and will adopt the recommendations of the 2005 Feliciano Commission that investigated the July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. Some of his agenda according to him are:
- Strengthen the AFP procurement process by ensuring the accountability of all military resource managers.
- Fully computerize the procurement system and push for amendments in the Government Procurement Reform Act that will allow for new systems where transactions leave indelible credit trails.
- Safeguard funds from all sources including the Balikatan and the United Nations funds and especially those coming from our taxes, the blood and sweat from our people.
- Hold himself accountable for the proper and effective use of the funds.
- Strengthen institutional checks and balances by undertaking more unannounced audits
- Seek to remove 2 basic conditions that breed corruption in the military: opportunity and motivation.
- Promote a culture in the Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) where every soldier will not tolerate corrupt practices.
- Pay attention to the AFP commissary, which sells basic commodities to soldiers at discounted prices.
- A push to end the problem of internal security threats in the country
Picture of General Eduardo Oban Jr.
Eduardo Oban Video
Awards and Recognitions
Oban received numerous awards including four Distinguished Service Stars, a number of Military Merit Medals, A Golden Aviator Award, two Group Commander of the Year Award, PAF Group Commander of the Year Award, and Military Commendation Medals and other ribbons.
Regarded as an ‘early favorite’ for the much coveted AFP post, Oban will serve as military chief for only more than nine months or until December 13 2011.
Oban received numerous awards including four Distinguished Service Stars, a number of Military Merit Medals, A Golden Aviator Award, two Group Commander of the Year Award, PAF Group Commander of the Year Award, and Military Commendation Medals and other ribbons.
Regarded as an ‘early favorite’ for the much coveted AFP post, Oban will serve as military chief for only more than nine months or until December 13 2011.