Gibo urged to accept defense portfolio

MANILA, Philippines – Congressmen urged former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday to immediately accept President Duterte’s offer for him to head the department.

“The President obviously believes that Gibo is the best man for the job. This is the second time the job is being offered to him. I think he should now accept it,” Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said.

Albano expressed belief Teodoro would find it difficult to turn down a new offer to serve again in the defense department.        

“The DND-military establishment will welcome Gibo with open arms. Officers and enlisted men treated him as one of their own,” he said.        

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said Teodoro ably led the DND during the Arroyo administration.        

“I think the DND-military organization needs a civilian as its leader. A civilian like Gibo would have a different perspective from a retired military officer,” he said.        

Like Albano, Barbers urged Teodoro to accept Duterte’s new offer.        

Albano, Barbers, Teodoro and Duterte were colleagues in the 11th Congress. Teodoro and the President were then representatives of Tarlac and Davao City, respectively.        

Albano is on his second term, while Barbers is on his first as returning member of the House of Representatives.       

The President made his second offer to Teodoro on Tuesday, saying, “I hope he does accept.”        

Duterte said he would appoint incumbent Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as ambassador to the United States, where the latter had served as military attaché.        

The former ambassador, businessman Jose Cuisia Jr., an appointee of former president Benigno Aquino III, gave up the post when Duterte took office last June 30.        

If Teodoro declines his new offer, Duterte said he would choose Lorenzana’s replacement from among senior military officers.

He made the first offer on May 16 after it became clear that the nation had elected him president.       

After visiting Duterte in Davao City to congratulate him, Teodoro said he was surprised that he and then Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar were offered the defense and public works and highways posts, respectively.       

While Villar accepted the post, Teodoro said he would have to consult his family and friends as well as consider other commitments.

However, a week later, Duterte announced that Teodoro had rejected his offer and would consider Lorenzana for the DND post.

The former defense chief denied Duterte’s announcement, saying there was no such rejection and that he was still in the process of consultations.