Noynoy doesn't buy transition promise

Source: Philippine Star

By Aurea Calica
SURIGAO DEL NORTE , Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III yesterday warned that President Arroyo’s assurance of a smooth turnover to the next president may be a hollow one.

Aquino said there are indications that Mrs. Arroyo could have been making decisions to ensure her stay in power beyond her term of office on June 30, citing the appointment of Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit as the new chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Another instance, Aquino added, is the impending appointment of the next chief justice despite the constitutional prohibition against the President making any appointment during the last few months of her term.

The President on Wednesday vowed to ensure a peaceful turnover of power to the next chief executive on June 30, assuring critics that she would not stay a day longer in office.

Mrs. Arroyo said she would respect the nation’s democratic process and vowed to make way for the next president who would be elected on May 10.

Aquino, however, joined other critics in doubting Mrs. Arroyo’s sincerity.

“Do I trust what she said? I have not been trusting (Mrs. Arroyo) for a while now on what she says,” Aquino said.

Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo, after taking over the botched presidency of Joseph Estrada in 2001, had earlier promised that she would not seek office in 2004.

Mrs. Arroyo later reneged on her word and joined the presidential elections in 2004, winning over the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the most controversial and hotly contested electoral exercise in the country’s political history, including the “Hello, Garci” scandal where she was caught talking to an election commissioner about her votes.

Despite the President’s assurance of a smooth turnover, Aquino said the people must remain vigilant because Mrs. Arroyo has broken her promises before, such as the one she made on Rizal Day 2002 that she would not run in 2004.

“When we err, let’s err on the side of caution. Why should we wait for history to repeat itself?” Aquino said.

On the appointment of Bangit, Aquino said he would give the new AFP chief “the benefit of the doubt.”

The appointment of Bangit has raised widespread speculations that Mrs. Arroyo is plotting to derail the May 10 elections, then take the opportunity to remain president amid the ensuing chaos.

Mrs. Arroyo came under fire from critics who saw the appointment of Bangit, her former Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief, as a move to ensure the May 10 elections would run in her favor.

Bangit took over the command of the AFP from Gen. Victor Ibrado, who retired Wednesday on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu was appointed the new Army commander following the assumption of Bangit as the new AFP chief.

Bangit, for his part, sought to allay critics’ concerns on his appointment by denying charges that he was chosen by Mrs. Arroyo to help her stay in power.

Bangit vowed to keep the AFP out of politics and ensure the May 10 elections would be peaceful and orderly.

Despite the assurances of Bangit, Aquino said he was not totally convinced.

Although the President has the right to appoint the AFP chief, Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo should have done better by appointing someone who is not closely identified with her.

“In that sense, give us a legacy or at least give the appearance of neutrality given the importance of this transition,” he said.

Aquino said the appointment of Bangit stirred more controversy since the “Hello, Garci” wiretap scandal that involved Mrs. Arroyo and some high-ranking military officials in the alleged cheating in the 2004 elections remains unresolved.

“Then you put in someone (at the AFP helm) closely identified with the administration,” he pointed out.

Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo was apparently not concerned about the legacy she would leave as leader of the country because of her choice of the new military chief as well as the energy crisis in Mindanao.

“We (are supposed to) have a transition, (so) she should be managing as outgoing president. But once again and consistently, she chose to advance her own interest,” Aquino added.

With close to nine and a half years of leading the country, Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo should be thinking about the country’s stability and her legacy.

“Perhaps we should even be more worried if there are other changes, (if) people not due to retire are retired or advanced to inconsequential posts. That should make us (apprehensive),” Aquino warned.

‘Benefit of the doubt’

Speaker Prospero Nograles led administration allies in defending the appointment of Bangit, appealing to critics to give the new AFP chief the chance to prove his mettle for the sake of national interest.

“Gen. Bangit deserves the respect and confidence of the entire military hierarchy. He is a professional soldier. Doubts may have been instilled by critics, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt as he vowed to insulate the military from partisan politics,” Nograles said.

Nograles defended the appointment of Bangit, saying the President did not deviate from the proper procedure of appointing the next military chief.

“It was just coincidental that the new chief of staff earned his cap within the term of President Arroyo. You can call this destiny of a deserving officer,” Nograles said.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), on the other hand, said they would hold on to the statement of Bangit that the military will remain non-partisan in the coming polls.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said Bangit’s assurances are a welcome development since Comelec is doing its best to make the May 10 elections peaceful and orderly.

“We welcome the statement of Gen. Bangit that they will be our partners (in the elections). He made a statement that he will faithfully perform his duties and he will ensure that the AFP is neutral in this coming elections,” Larrazabal said.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Bangit has already outlined his programs to improve efficiency and benefits of servicemen during his term.

Two hours after the turnover ceremonies last Wednesday, Burgos said Bangit immediately called for a command conference and told senior military commanders that one of the priorities would be health services for soldiers.

“He (Bangit) also made mention (of) the improvement of the values of soldiers. Our trainings would dwell not only on equipage and training but also the inculcation of values,” Burgos said.

Burgos added they will enhance the feedback system among the soldiers and strengthen their “indoctrination” to maintain professionalism in the service.

Burgos clarified the system has nothing to do with the allegations that the AFP would be used to manipulate the results of the coming elections. -With Roel Pareño, Alexis Romero, Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla, Jaime Laude