Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday slammed criticisms that the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte is being “militarized” with the appointment of retired military officers.
The defense secretary was reacting anew to the disapproval of former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Judy Taguiwalo on the appointment of retiring Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista as DSWD chief.
Bautista would be the latest addition to the list of retired military officers appointed by the President to a government post.
“Militarization? Bullshit! Eh dapat lahat tayo may chance na mag-service sa ating gobyerno,” Lorenzana told reporters.
“Everybody should have the chance to serve the government whether you are military or not. Why single out the military? Wala ba kaming karapatan mag service sa gobyerno? he said.
Bautista, who is retiring on October 15, was named last week by the President as the next DSWD secretary. He was previously offered the post of administrator of the National Food Authority.
“Gen. Bautista has proven himself. He served his country with loyalty and dedication ..then they will question him as DSWD. Bigyan niyo lang ng chance,” he said.
He reiterated his previous statement that the security forces did not oppose Taguiwalo’s appointment when she was appointed as DSWD secretary despite her links to communist rebels.
“Nung ikaw na-appoint di nag react ang security forces eh alam naman nila na maka-kaliwa ka?” Lorenzana added.
Bautista is stepping down from service on Oct. 15. Among the contenders seen to replace him as Army chief include Maj. Gen. Macairog Alberto of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Noel Clement. /muf