Naisumite na sa Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang pangalan ng anim na pagpipilian bilang bagong hepe ng Philippine Navy.
Ayon kay Flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, apat sa mga kandidato ay mula sa Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Hinirang Class of 1987, samantalang ang dalawa ay mula sa Maringal Class of 1998.
Kabilang sa mga pangalang inaprubahan ng Board of Generals at inindorso ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sina Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Navy Sea Systems Head Rear Admiral Rommel Jason Galang at Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan.
Bukod pa ito kina Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Chief Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe, Chief of the Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Command Rear Admiral Adelius Bordado at Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Rear Admiral Ramil Enriquez.
Si Empedrad ay nakatakdang magretiro sa February 3.