Noynoy eyeing PMAer from senior class to replace AFP chief

Presidential frontrunner Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III already has someone in mind to replace Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit when he takes over as the country's president. The new military chief would be from a "senior class" of the Philippine Military Academy, Aquino said, refusing to give further details until he has personally talked to Bangit. Bangit's appointment to the military's top post was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments. "Palagay ko mag-uusap kami soon. Di ko siya kinakausap pa dahil ayoko, di tayo naproproklama parang nagmamando na tayo in the future," said Aquino at a press briefing inside his Times Street home. (I think we'll talk soon. I haven't talked to him yet because I haven't been proclaimed yet, I don't want it to appear as if I'm already issuing orders for the future.) Aquino pointed out that once he becomes president, he would have the power to choose the military chief he prefers. "Walang consensus kay Bangit, alam niya saan ako manggagaling. Ang commander-in-chief yata singular (There would be no consensus regarding Bangit, he knows where I'm coming from. There is only a single commander-in-chief)," said Aquino. Despite calls from Aquino's camp for him to relinquish his post, Bangit has maintained that he would not resign as armed forces chief. Bangit is a known loyalist of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1978, which includes President Arroyo as an honorary member. He will retire on July 31, 2011. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who chairs the CA, said Bangit would have to relinquish his post after the commission adjourned last Friday without confirming his appointment. Enrile said the vice chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, should take over from Bangit. As for the rest of his official family, Aquino said he has yet to finalize the members of his Cabinet because some people he is eyeing for Cabinet posts have yet to leave their current commitments. His priority is to appoint people to the top posts of the departments of Justice, Transportation and Communication, and Public Works and Highways. Aquino said one classmate might be appointed to a government post, although he agreed not to disclose the name before June 15. In anticipation of criticisms that might be thrown his way, Aquino said the friends that he wants to appoint in government are people who have proven their worth over the years. "These are people I’ve known for three to four decades. Ano ang decades, yan ang decades ng Martial Law. Sino ang kasama ko na nanggigising nang tao nang nakulong lalo namatay tatay ko? Sila. Sino think-tank ko initially? Sila," Aquino said. (Those were the decades of Martial Law. They were with me when I helped stir people up when my father was imprisoned and then killed. They also comprised my think-tank initially.) So far Aquino has named only Corazon "Dinky" Soliman (Social Welfare and Development secretary), Teresita Deles (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process), lawyer Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. (likely executive secretary), and lawyer Edwin Lacierda (likely presidential spokesman) as members of his Cabinet. - Jam L. Sisante, RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV