Bangit won’t be allowed to stay another year — Noynoy

President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will not let Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Delfin Bangit stay as military chief for one more year or until his retirement in July 2011. At the same time, Aquino thanked his cousin, defeated presidential aspirant and former defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who advised the President-elect that Bangit should be given an "honorable retirement" on July 31, 2011. However, Aquino said his decision to replace Bangit once he takes over as president was reasonable. "I thank my cousin for his advice. But I think I have enough basis to make up my mind," said Aquino at a press conference in his Times Street home after meeting with Australian Ambassador Rod Smith. Newspaper reports quoted Teodoro as saying the AFP chief should be allowed to retire honorably, in response to the calls of some groups for Bangit to resign. Aquino said that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Bangit to the top military post before the birthday and retirement of then outgoing AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado on March 10. "You cannot appoint somebody to a post that's not vacant. That's fundamental," Aquino said.
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy’s class of 1978, Bangit is perceived to be close to Mrs. Arroyo, who is an honorary member of the same class. "What about the classes that are more senior to them? Never got the opportunity. What about the others who don't belong to their class?" Aquino said. "It's one class out of so many classes." Bangit has maintained that he would not resign despite the calls for him to step down, insisting that he serves at the pleasure of the commander-in-chief, Mrs. Arroyo. In his first press conference as president-elect on Wednesday, Aquino categorically said that Bangit would not remain as military chief when he takes over as president. Aquino said Thursday that he already has a shortlist for Bangit's possible replacement but refused to give names at the moment. "Hindi naman sa pinagdadamot ko sa inyo pero lahat ng na-reveal gumulo na ho ang mundo habang naghahanda. Hindi na nakapaghanda e (It's not that I want to deny you the information but all those whose names have been revealed have had their preparations disrupted. They can't prepare well for their posts)," Aquino said. In a separate report on Thursday, Bangit said he remains undecided whether or not to opt for early retirement after Aquino said that he will have to go. But at the same time, the AFP chief said he has no issues if he will be relieved once Aquino assumes the presidency on June 30. Bangit, who was appointed last March 8 and expected to retire in July 2011, said he is "going to obey all orders, as always, as what professional officers and soldiers do. So I’ll do that." He made these remarks before ceremonies for the assumption of acting AFP deputy chief Rear Admiral Mario Catacutan who replaced now-retired Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag. “I’ll take orders from them," added Bangit, referring to the camp of Aquino. After being proclaimed president, Aquino made a categorical explanation that Bangit will not be his AFP chief. Over the weekend, Aquino’s spokesman — Edwin Lacierda — also asked Bangit to resign, a suggestion the latter rejected. He will continue discharging his duties as chief of the Philippines’ 120,000-strong military force. “I’ll continue doing my job because that’s how the organization should be. There were a lot of work since last night up to this morning. Many were also asking question for my reaction (to the pronouncement of Aquino)," he said. Bangit refused to make any remarks when asked if he was going to accept a lower position in the military. But AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos indicated otherwise. “Maybe not," Burgos said, adding that accepting a lower position may not befit “a person who has occupied the highest position of the land in the Armed Forces of the Philippines." When asked whether Bangit would go on early retirement, Burgos said that there are many options left for the AFP chief. "That will all depend on the factors that would be considered by the chief of staff but any decision that the chief of staff will make will always be for the good of the service and the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said. - RJAB Jr./JV, GMANews.TV