Increasing militarization of the government?

The Constitution clearly states that civilian authority is supreme over the military. But the President keeps on putting retired generals in civilian agencies. Is this good or bad for the country?

Lately, the President appointed another general to be the new chair of the beleaguered PCSO. If you ask me whether there is something wrong with the appointment of at least 60 retired generals, colonels, majors, and other military men, I say it is the prerogative of the President to choose the people he trusts. If you ask for my professional opinion-as both a former government official and a long-time corporate executive-I don't care whether who they are provided they can deliver what are expected of them.

The President has the command responsibility to account for success or failure in governance. If we gauge it on the peoples' assessment, President Rody is being supported by the people in his decisions, considering the high popularity rating he got from the latest SWS survey. When asked why he chose military men, he said these men in uniform have demonstrated that they deliver.Most of them have finished their military training in the PMA, some have master's degree, and a few have doctorate from foreign universities. It is a waste of human capital to retire them at age 56. The government spent for their education. It's only fair that they should serve the government to the max.

Former military men named as Cabinet members or heads of agencies: Lorenzana, DND; Año, DILG ( vice another uniformed man, Catalino Cuy ); Cimatu, DENR: Esperon, National Security Council; Monteagudo, NICA; Jason Kapuno, NFA; Visaya, NIA; Danilo Lim, MMDA; Lastimoso,PNR; Berroya, LRTA; Garcia, MRT 3; Carolina PVAO;Morente, Immigration; Lista, PNOC; Estioko, NDCP; Sychiongco, CAAP; Lapeña, PDEA; Corpuz, PCSO chair (resigned, to be replaced by another general); Balutan, PCSO GM; Jalad, OCD; Gongona, BFAR; and Bautista, PSG; Kapunan, ambassador to Myanmar and Gumban, special envoy on transnational crimes.

Others, who were also generals, are: David, Cardozo, Luna, Elefante,Martir, and del Rosario, all to DND; Paynor, Office of the President; Galvante, LTO; Concepcion and Borje, PNOC; Golez and Poquez, BCDA; Jongco, NDCP; Urgello, Philippine Sugar Corp;Tamayo, CAAP; Abaya, PNB;Villamor, CDC; Faeldon, from Customs to OCD; Lopez, NSC; Caballes, PVAO; Galvante, LTO; Fajardo, PDEA; Quinsay, DILG; and many more.No legal remedy, injunction, or restraining order could stop the President from making such choices.

If they do not deliver or are engaged in graft, surely the President will fire them as fast as when he hired them. And the people applaud him for such leadership and decisiveness. Whether they are retired generals or former rebels,does not really matter. What matters most is whether they can do an excellent job.