Rody renews DND offer to Teodoro

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte revealed Tuesday that he renewed his call on former Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to head anew the Department of National Defense (DND).

Duterte made the announcement as incumbent Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, he said, may be appointed as ambassador.

It was said that Lorenzana’s appointment as ambassador was floated during the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. He said Lorenzana will be appointed as the Philip- pine Ambassador to the United States (US).

"[My renewed offer to Teodoro to become the Defense secretary] has already been relayed

to him by this time and I hope he does accept," the President said during the oath-taking of generals and flag officers held at Malacañang's Rizal Hall.

Duterte recounted how Lorenzana was chosen during the Cabinet meeting.

"[On Monday], we were discussing who is going to be sent to [the US]...All are in a hurry on who is the next ambassador. We are pointing fingers [and Lorenzana] was picked,” the President said.

In a chance interview, the President clarified that Lorenzana being appointed as ambassador is still not final.

“We are looking for one. I was just joking that if I could not find anybody, it could be Lorenzana,” he said.

Duterte said he wanted Teodoro to replace Lorenzana because the former is “very talented, very bright, and handles himself very well.”

Should Teodoro reject the offer, the President said he would appoint someone who is qualified for the post.

“If I could not find somebody, then, we will just have to scout for a new Defense secretary,” the President said.