Gazmin says he’s ready to leave post amid rumors he will be replaced

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday said he was ready to leave his post, even as Malacañang belied rumors that he will be replaced.

“I am ready to leave if the President loses his trust. I serve at the pleasure of the President. So if I would be replaced, thank you. If not, thank you as well,” he told reporters.

Gazmin was rumored to be removed from his position because of conflicting reports on Panatag Shoal (Scarborough).

In a budget hearing last August, he said that they discovered concrete blocks at the shoal, which could be a prelude to construction by the Chinese.

But recently, he backed President Benigno Aquino III’s statements that the concrete blocks were already old.

Malacañang had denied the rumors on Gazmin’s replacement and said the defense chief continued to have Aquino’s trust and confidence.

“I was surprised. I read in the papers that there are rumors that I will be replaced by somebody. We never talked about this in Bohol. The issue never came out,” Gazmin said.

Aquino visited the quake-hit Bohol last week with Gazmin and other cabinet secretaries. But as of posting, Gazmin said he had not spoken to the President about the issue.

Asked who could be behind the rumors, he said that there could be “some people interested in the post.”

“I really don’t know, but that’s common sense. Probably people are interested in the post. And if ever [I will be replaced], that’s okay with me. It’s time to go on vacation,” he said.

Gazmin also theorized that those spreading rumors could also be finding matters to blame to the Aquino administration.

“There are many tough issues that the government is facing and they want to find fault. They are trying to spin things,” he said.

Gazmin also considered that those spreading rumors could be trying to break his relationship with the Aquino family.

The defense secretary served as the commander of Presidential Security Group when the President’s mother, Corazon Aquino, served as president.

“Maybe they would want to break the relationship. I am identified with the military, and at the same time I am also identified with the Aquinos. If you want to break the relationship between the Aquinos and myself, or myself and the armed forces, you discredit me,” he said.

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