Malaya contradicts lawmaker: No ‘military oligarchy’ in Duterte administration

MANILA, Philippines — There’s no “military oligarchy” dominating the Duterte administration, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a statement issued on Saturday to contradict to a remark made by Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman.

As Malaya, who is spokesperson of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, pointed out: “The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) is led by civilians Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and the vast majority of its members are civilian government officials with no military background.”

Lagman earlier said that the Duterte administration should dismantle the “military oligarchy” dominating its Cabinet.

Lagman said seven of the members of the administration were retired chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines — including Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Malaya added that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was appointed in the National Task Force being also the chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

As for Año, Malaya said Lagman should look at the official’s performance, not his background.

“Secretary Año has been given this task by the President because he delivers, period. It’s not about his military background but because of his performance. Statements to the contrary are not well-meaning but are clearly meant to disparage the accomplishments of this administration, including that of Secretary Año,” Malaya said.

/atm