Here’s why PRRD prefers military men over civilians in gov’t posts
In every sensitive post in government today is a retired military official. Which makes one wonder why President Duterte is fond of appointing military men to key positions in government most of whom have either been assigned in Davao or worked closely with the then Davao mayor.
According to the President, former military officers are organized and hardworking, unlike some “indolent” career officials in the bureaucracy.
“The predilection of presidents is leaned towards the military either it’s Aquino or Arroyo or somebody,” the President explained during
ground-breaking rites of a military housing project in Bulacan Wednesday.
“Ang kinukuha namin lahat mga military because the military kasi at least maski na retired, you’ve been trained to have an organized mind tapos isang salita lang [We appoint military men because the military, even if retired, you’ve been trained to have an organized mind and have one word],” he said.
The President made the remarks while lauding Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chair Eduardo del Rosario’s swift efforts to build better houses for the military and policemen. Del Rosario, a retired Army general, previously served as defense undersecretary for veterans and retiree affairs and executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) under the previous administration.
Del Rosario took over from Vice President Leni Robredo.
Duterte, in his remarks, claimed that civil servants are usually industrious in their early years of service but some grow lazy over the years.
“This is not to berate my countrymen but ‘yung nasa Civil Service, kung bago pa kayo [when you’re starting], while you are building a career in the bureaucracy, ang tiyaga-tiyaga ninyo [you are very hardworking]. CESO (Career Executive Service Officer}) and all of the examinations that would qualify you to the higher positions,” he said.
“Kaya lang magdating na kayo sa itaas and over time matanda na rin kayo, medyo – some of them are or you have become indolent [But when you reach the top and over time, you become old and some of them are or you have become indolent],” he said.
He observed that some government officials even drag their feet when complying with orders issued by their superiors. He noted that, “‘Yung hindi mo masunod ang gusto mo, kung masunod man, it takes time [It takes time for them to comply with what you want them to do. And if ever they comply, it takes time)
Among the ex-military officers in the Duterte administration are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Customs chief Isidro Lapeña, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan, National Irrigation Administration head Ricardo Visaya, National Food Authority head Jason Aquino, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Danilo Lim, and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Ricardo Jalad.
Del Rosario served as commander of Task Force Davao and commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade (IB) detailed in the Davao provinces.
And prior to his retirement, the President intends to appoint outgoing Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año as the next secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)