Lacson says NTF-Elcac’s choice to keep Parlade as spokesman ‘will cost them’

FILE PHOTOS–Senator Panfilo Lacson (L) and Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — “They made their choice, and it will cost them.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense, had this to say on Monday as the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) retained Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as its spokesperson.

Lacson, who calls himself as the NTF-Elcac’s “most reliable ally in the Senate,” has earlier questioned Parlade’s appointment as the agency’s spokesperson, noting that the law is clear in saying that “[n]o member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government.”

“Since the time the NTF-ELCAC was created, being the principal sponsor of their annual budget  I have been their most reliable ally in the Senate – until now. That said, there’s no point discussing, much less arguing with people who refuse to listen to reason and adhere to the rule of law,” Lacson said in a text message.

“The Senate as an institution has made our collective and legal position on the issue of Parlade’s appointment in a civilian position which the Constitution clearly proscribes. All I can say is, they made their choice, and it will cost them,” he added.

Aside from keeping Parlade as task force spokesman, National Security Adviser and NTF-Elcac Vice-Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Monday also announced the addition of six spokespersons for the anti-insurgency body.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy was also retained as among NTF-Elcac’s mouthpieces.

Parlade has been criticized after being linked to various red-tagging controversies, most recent of which involving community pantries in the country.

The Senate earlier recommended the immediate relief of Parlade from his duty as spokesperson of the NTF-Elcac.