PRESIDENT Duterte said Tuesday he was considering moving Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to the post of Ambassador to the United States, and in his place name Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, who used to head the defense portfolio under a different administration.
Mr. Duterte, in an ambush interview, noted that Lorenzana used to be based in Washington, as defense attache.
Lorenzana however was apparently reluctant to accept the offer, Mr. Duterte said.
“He said he wanted a quiet life here. Now that he’s home, he wants to stay home. We’ll see,” he told reporters.
Should Lorenzana accept the US posting, Teodoro is Mr. Duterte’s choice for new Defense Secretary.
“Gibo is very talented, very bright, and he handles himself very well, both privately and officially,” the President said.
The matter of Lorenzana being given an ambassadorial post was brought up in a meeting in Malacañang on Monday, according to Mr. Duterte.
Palace prodded
In a speech before newly appointed generals and flag officers, he said the Palace was being prodded on who would be the next ambassador for a certain country.
“If I could not find anyone else, we’ll just have to scout for a new Defense Secretary,” he said.
He said he hoped to get Teodoro as Lorenzana’s replacement. Teodoro also used to be his lawyer.
Mr. Duterte earlier offered the defense portfolio to Teodoro when he was forming his cabinet prior to his inauguration as President. Teodoro had served as Defense Secretary during the Arroyo administration.
But Teodoro, who had been out of the limelight ever since his failed attempt to win the presidency in 2010, turned down the offer.