MANILA, Philippines?Outgoing military chief General Victor Ibrado on Tuesday vouched for the integrity of his successor, Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit saying "he will make a good chief of staff."

In a chance interview after the formal launching of this year's RP-US Balikatan exercises held at Camp Aguinaldo, Ibrado said that he knows Bangit personally and he can guarantee that the apprehensions expressed by members of various sectors regarding the Army chief's appointment to the top military post would not materialize.

"Maganda ang performance ni General Bangit, even nung commander siya (General bangit has a good performance even when he was commander) before, (then) battalion, brigade, division commander, army commander, he did very well and I know him personally, I think I know him and I know he will make a good chief of staff," Ibrado told reporters.

Earlier, critics of the administration raised their concerns following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's announcement Monday, saying that Bangit's appointment is a sign that the outgoing president would use the military to her favor this coming elections.

Bangit, meanwhile, downplayed these statements saying that the accusations are "unfair"

"Unfair naman yun kasi bakit meron na bang ginawa si General Bangit in the past? Wala naman (That is unfair. Did Gen. Bangit did something [to favor parties] in the past? I think not). You look at his record wala siyang (he has no) involvement sa ganun (on that)," Ibrado said.

"They just have to look at his records if they want to and then watch him perform, trabaho ang gagawin niya (he does his job)," he added.

Critics also noted Bangit's loyalty to the outgoing president.

Meanwhile, Ibrado said that all military members are loyal to their commander in chief.
"How can you be a part of the armed forces and be not loyal, and not be loyal to your commander, so it's not, it's not actually the person, it is the position," Ibrado said.

He also expressed his confidence that the military would not be used for any form of electoral fraud adding that the public is very much wary of such activities.

"How can you do that? Everybody?s eyes are on you, and this time very critical yung election and I'm sure nothing, no foolishness, such foolishness will happen," Ibrado said.

"I am confident because I know that the Armed Forces has, even long before the elections we have been talking about this, we have talked to our people and told them the soldiers, officers and men, that we will be non-partisan, we will maintain our independence to be professionals," he added.

Bangit is set to assume office March 10, Wednesday which is Ibrado's 56th birthday. The formal turnover of command ceremony would be held at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo at 10 am, Wednesday.

Meanwhile, no announcement has been made as to who would succeed Bangit as Army Commanding General.