Esperon's extension of tour of duty unconstitutional

The extension of the tour of duty of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. is patently unconstitutional. Here’s the commandment of the Constitution prohibiting such extension.

The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces shall not exceed three years. However, in times of war or other national emergency declared by the Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty. (Sec. 5, para. 7, Art. XVI, 1987 Constitution)

Clearly, there’s no war in our midst and no national emergency declared by Congress that may allow the extension of the tour of duty of AFP chief of staff. By extending the chief of staff’s term, GMA may be held liable for culpable violation of the Constitution, a ground for impeachment.