MAN AT THE PINNACLE

In the vast expanse of naval leadership, Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr. stands as a beacon of unwavering commitment and dedication, steering the course towards the Philippine Navy's (PN) peak of strength.

OBEYING AND LISTENING

Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Adaci has been trained in an organization where obeying first before you complain is a time-honored maxim, but this does not in any way define his leadership. He clarifies that the emphasis on obedience does not in any way diminish the significance of a well-defined code of conduct within the organization. "That system of command and control has been there for decades already. It's a time-tested system, and you have to trust it," he explains.

The Navy chief encourages discussion of issues, allowing his subordinates to speak out. He believes that no one has a monopoly of knowledge; that’s why it is important for him to listen to them. “It’s important to listen to others’ views and ideas so that you can make an informed decision, especially at this time when a lot of things are happening,” he underscores.

Listening to other people has been the cornerstone of Adaci’s leadership since he was still a junior officer. He says that he is always fond of discussing things to do and things that have happened, and asking his staff for their recommendations. “The value of getting people’s thoughts about issues and concerns before making any decision has been ingrained in me,” he explains.

Adaci values open communication and encourages subordinates to express their opinions, acknowledging that varied perspectives contribute to an informed and improved decision-making.

As he moved higher in the navy’s leadership, Adaci came to appreciate the value of trusting the existing system, realizing that micromanagement is unnecessary. He thinks that because this has always been there and has evolved, been evaluated, and corrected over time, it enables people to have a profound regard for the foundation upon which the organization functions, going beyond superficial adherence to procedures. He gives as an example the system of chain of command, where decisions go through several layers of leadership before reaching the highest levels of the organization. In the case of the PN, it is the FOIC who has the final say.

A BLESSING AND A CHALLENGE

Adaci acknowledges that he never, in his wildest dreams, thought that he would become the topmost officer of the PN. Aside from the fact that the selection process is intricate, he never expected to become the FOIC because he believes that there are more competent officers aside from him, so his chance of getting the position that he considers the peak of his career was so slim. Therefore, being chosen for the position is both a blessing and a challenge for him.

Being FOIC is a blessing for him because leading a 24,000-strong organization is a very rare chance. On the other hand, it is a challenge because he needs to live up to the role of top officer in command of the PN. The task and position are overwhelming for Adaci because he only used to lead units on a smaller scale. “With my appointment as the FOIC PN, suddenly I’m on top of the organization, leading thousandsof people and looking after their welfare, and implementing various policies and programs of the Navy,” he says, referring to the most challenging role he has played so far in his professional career.

Leading the PN, Adaci says, is challenging because, beyond overseeing the well-being of 24,000 individuals, his responsibilities extend to shaping and implementing policies, steering the Navy’s modernization initiatives, and fostering the development of bases to advance the Philippines’ maritime interests. “After all, we are a maritime nation. There is a need for Filipinos to realize that we need a strong navy because we are a maritime nation of more than 7,000 islands,” he emphasizes.

The PN’s 40th FOIC admits that what makes his task more challenging is the fact that he can’t help but observe the noticeable gap between the PN and other countries’ navies. While other navies occupy the upper categories owing to their modern equipment, ships, and mindsets, the PN is somewhere below, trying to catch up with them. However, Adaci is very optimistic that, given a decade or so, the Philippines can bridge the gap and stand at par with its regional counterparts. He openly admits to LEAGUE that there is a tinge of sadness stemming from the realization that, over the years ,the Philippines has struggled to keep pace with the modernization of neighboring nations. “It’s like a missed opportunity. If only we had kept pace back then. We would even be ahead now, because Filipinos are capable,” he shares.

The son of Kiangan, Ifugao remains optimistic despite the challenges. He is confident that something can be done, especially with the full support of the national government. Adaci says that in addition to the new warships that came in the past few years, there are several warships under construction.“So imagine our Philippine Navy two or three years from now when all these brigades, Corvettes, and offshore patrol vessels are in. Imagine this trend that we can project around the region.”

“After all, we are a maritime nation. There is a need for Filipinos to realize that we need a strong navy because we are a maritime nation of more than 7,000 islands.”

Among other things, Adaci is bent on proceeding with the Navy’s decade-old modernization program. Modernization of naval bases, according to him, is equally

important as modernization of ships, as the Philippines must manifest its sovereignty and presence within its territorial waters. Additionally, the PN leadership is enhancing the management and administration of officers’ and staff members’ specializations, particularly in technical services. These specialized personnel will man the country’s fortified naval bases, where they will safeguard the nation’s maritime interests.

Adaci is confident that the dangers that the nation continues to face in the West Philippine Sea will not spread to the eastern shores, particularly in the vicinity of Benham Rise. According to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumnus, safeguarding the country’s territory and national sovereignty should not be confined to coordinating, training, and providing vessels for naval forces. Rather, it should be a collective responsibility of all Filipinos and government agencies. The concept encompasses the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries, Department

of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Ports Authority, and Maritime Industry Authority, in addition to the military. Ensuring the continued viability of the blue economy, maritime security, and ecological preservation are all dependent on the successful efforts of said agencies.The vice admiral explains that

improved cooperation is necessary, particularly in light of the opposition of foreign states to our maritime claims. He emphasizes that strengthening domestic coordination and collaboration as well as

exploring potential bilateral and multilateral approaches is required in lieu of unilateral actions. Additionally, he points to cooperation among Southeast Asian nations, regional allies, and international partners as another vital requirement. The desire to show the international community that the member- states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are united in their pursuit of enhancing maritime security through alliances and partnerships was another driving force behind the Philippines’ decision to host the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercises in 2023.

Adaci, who marked his first year at the helm of the PN in January 2024, acknowledges the different challenges as part of the weight of responsibility for overseeing a large organization. Although he sometimes hears negative perceptions about the Navy, he just assures himself that, at the end of the day, he has done his best for the organization. Knowing that he is responsible for the welfare of the Navy and its personnel propels him to take on challenges with dedication and a commitment to the organization’s well- being.

The opportunity to serve, Adaci says, is what he loves most about his job, and he is committed to steering the organization even through turbulent waters. For him, the accolades, honors, and awards take a back seat; the chance to contribute to the organization and the country remains paramount.

THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Adaci considers becoming a navy officer as one great achievement. He shares that he took a circuitous route before joining the Navy because he first volunteered for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). But fate intervened because the result of the physical examination he underwent revealed a condition that deterred him from becoming part of the PAF. Someone from the Philippine Constabulary (PC) swapped slots with him. “I was having second thoughts about joining the PC then, because, during that time there were questions about the credibility and integrity of the organization.” So when someone from the Navy asked him to again switch slots with him, he grabbed the opportunity. Circuitous as the route he took may have been, Adaci shares that joining the Navy was the best decision he made.

The Navy chief says that the support of his family in his journey is one thing he considers as an achievement. Having an uncle who is an engineer made Adaci consider becoming an engineer or an architect, and thus studied in Mapua University. But Adaci also had an uncle who was a PMA graduate and he was the one who greatly influenced the young Adaci to join the academy.

Adaci recalls that while he was a young officer, he just focused on his job. Ashe continued to take on more important leadership roles in the organization, he also took a wider look at things. Becoming a one-star general was the turning point of his career. “I knew that my responsibilities in the organization were great and numerous, but I had to live up to the challenge. That developed my strength as a naval leader.” He points to a commodore who helped him prepare for the many tasks that came with being a leader. His parents too who were both educators and his uncles were big influences on his leadership values and philosophies.

Adaci calls on the members of PN to remain optimistic and focus on what they are doing and avoid distractions so that they can always do things to promote the greater good of the organization. He has been telling young people who aspire to be officers and reach the success he has had to be sponges, absorbing both the good and bad things and setting things right as they perform their roles. “That principle has served me in good stead. And fortunately for me—and of course again, I was blessed—I was appointed as the chief of the Philippine Navy,” he ends.