Arroyo says leaders are ‘transient,’ vows ‘smooth transition’

(Updated 9:40 p.m.) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday assured that there would be a "smooth transition" to a new government when she steps down from office on June 30, 2010. "As it is with the [Armed Forces of the Philippines], so it is with the entire Republic of the Philippines. So, too, is our entire administration devoted to ensure a smooth transition to a new government," President Arroyo said in her speech during the change of command in the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. President Arroyo, who trumpeted her administration's accomplishments later in her speech, said she would be turning over to her successor a nation that is “in better shape than we found it", and a country that is “safer than we found it" especially with the help of the “great performance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines." Transient Former Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit assumed the top military post as General Victor Ibrado reached his mandatory retirement age of 56 on Wednesday. The President said that just like in the military, the change of leadership in her administration is inevitable, noting that leadership by its own nature is "transient." "The history of ceremony and the chain of command we are having now reminds ourselves that leaders are transient by their authority and responsibility, as they are transferred to another leader," said President Arroyo, who is running for congresswoman representing Pampanga’s second district. Her statement came amid a flurry of speculations that her appointment of Bangit was part of a plan to disrupt the upcoming May 10 elections and allow her to cling to power beyond June 30. But in his assumption speech, Bangit said he would not allow anyone to use him in partisan politics, promising to protect the public’s votes and democracy. [See: Bangit vows nonpartisan AFP in upcoming May 10 elections] Accomplishments Also in her speech, President Arroyo assured the Filipinos that the military "will help us prove our democracy works for the future of our nation’s children." She also acknowledged the military's contribution in achieving the government’s goals. "Together with our soldiers, we made considerable progress since we came to office. Where nothing is ever completely achieved, we will turn over our nation having achieved a number of rock solid accomplishments," she said. President Arroyo noted that the accomplishments under her administration included the electrification of far-flung barangays, increasing tax collection, creating new markets in foreign countries, and improving relations with other nations.- KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV