Bangit welcome to join ‘shadow Cabinet,’ says outgoing DND chief

Former Philippine military chief Delfin Bangit is welcome to join the "shadow Cabinet" that will serve as opposition and watch over the moves of the incoming Aquino administration, outgoing Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said Wednesday. Gonzales, who was honored by Armed Forces with a testimonial parade, said Bangit could join the "shadow Cabinet" he is planning to set up once he bows out of office along with other appointees of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 30. "Oo naman, kung papayag siya. Ako naman ay open invitation… Alam mo ako, hindi naman ako nag- re-recruit," he told reporters in an interview after the parade at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Gonzales likewise echoed Bangit's pronouncements on Tuesday that what happened to the latter could set a "dangerous precedent." He also believed that Bangit was a victim of politics. "Tinamaan (siya) ng pulitika. Nasabit na tayong lahat," he said. Bangit ended his military tour of duty with his early retirement on Tuesday following President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's open rejection of his continued stay as Armed Forces chief. [See: Bangit bows out of AFP, warns of ‘dangerous precedent’] In his farewell speech before the troops, Gonzales reminded the military to stay away from partisan politics and "remain united" for "the survival of this nation." "Ang hinihiling ko sa Armed Forces, remain united. Remain trusting. Give your trust to each other. Huwag kayong matukso," he said. Gonzales, formerly national security adviser, was appointed defense chief on Nov. 20 last year. He replaced Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who became administration party standard-bearer during the May polls. Shadow Cabinet In the same speech, the outgoing defense chief vowed to stay active in politics after he leaves the defense post by setting up a "shadow Cabinet" that will serve as opposition to the incoming administration. The "shadow Cabinet" will be composed of "qualified" officials who will act as "government-in-waiting" and who can "take over" if something goes wrong with the next administration, Gonzales said. "In a truly functioning, mature democracy, there is always a government and a government-in-waiting. The government-in-waiting’s job is to make sure that the nation is always informed of what’s going on in the nation… and to provide our people informed alternatives," he said. Gonzales however clarified that the "government in waiting" he is planning to set up does not aim to topple the incoming government. "Sana huwag namang i-misunderstand na baka akala nag-aambisyon akong maging presidente. Ang ibig sabihin lang niyan, ‘yung lahat ng wala sa posisyon ay mayroon ding karapatan na mag-ipun-ipon at mabigay ng alternative vision or alternative recommendations," he said. He added that he will make sure that all Cabinet posts will have a "parallel" position in the "shadow Cabinet." On Gazmin Meanwhile, Gonzales said retired Lt. Gen. Voltaire Gazmin, a former commanding general of the Philippine Army and who is rumored to be the next defense chief, will be a "good" choice for the post. He said Gazmin "knows the military well," which is very "important" for someone who will take over his post. "Ang pagkakakilala ko kay General Gazmin, naging defense attaché at Presidential Security Group (PSG). Kapag nagiging PSG, alam ko talagang malalim. Kung si General Gazmin, maganda kasi kilala ‘yung Armed Forces," he said. Gonzales advised Gazmin to continue projects that he will leave behind, especially the modernization of the military. with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV