ARMED Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he does not see it in the horizon but he would be honored if President Arroyo would extend his tour of duty as head of the 120,000-strong military beyond Feb. 9, 2008 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Esperon, the only one still active of so-called Hello Garci generals who supposedly helped rig the 2004 presidential elections in Mindanao to ensure President Arroyo’s victory, said the AFP chief’s tour of duty can be extended for a maximum of three years under the Constitution but the retirement age remains at 56.

Article XVI, Section 5 of the Constitution says the laws on retirement of military officers shall not allow the extension of service beyond three years but "in times of war or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty."

Esperon assumed as the military chief in August 2006, 16 months ago, replacing retired Gen. Generoso Senga.

"It is provided for under the Constitution that the chief of staff can serve for a maximum of three years but our retirement laws also tell us that our retirement is at 56. I’m turning 56 on Feb. 9," Esperon explained. "So I could be retired, I could be extended, and if I will be extended it will be an honor but you know I don’t see it in the horizon. Look at these officers, there are a lot of competent people who can take over."

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is reportedly the frontrunner in the race for the next AFP chief. Esperon and his two immediate predecessors – Senga and Gen. Efren Abu - were Army chiefs before they were appointed AFP chief by the President.

Three of the eight AFP chiefs who served under the Arroyo administration – Abu, Gen. Roy Cimatu and Gen. Benjamin Defensor – all enjoyed brief extensions of their tour of duty by the President.

Asked if he has recovered from the stigma being called a Garci general, Esperon said: "I never took it as a stigma, my conscience is clear about it." He also denied playing a role in rigging the 2004 elections.

Esperon was, however, one of three military generals mentioned in the controversial Hello Garci tapes who supposedly helped the President win in the elections. He was then the AFP deputy chief of staff for operations and the concurrent deputy commander of the military Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections.

A fourth general also mentioned in the tape, Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani, supposedly supported actor Fernando Poe Jr. instead of Arroyo. Gudani has appeared before the Senate where he detailed alleged cheating by allies of the President in Lanao del Sur.

Esperon added: "I will also tell you, I think the elections were generally honest orderly and peaceful." When asked if he voted for Arroyo, he laughed and said: "Of course."