Bangit: Resignation is cowardice

MANILA, Philippines - Spurned by the Commission on Appointments (CA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit defied calls for him to quit, saying that doing so would be tantamount to cowardice.

Facing the media for the first time since the CA’s rejection of his appointment, Bangit said there was restiveness in the military because of attempts by some quarters to politicize the institution.

“We’ve been seeing new attempts of destroying the Armed Forces, the organization that we have worked so hard to professionalize,” Bangit said.

At Malacañang, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said President Arroyo has taken steps “to ensure the integrity of the chain of command” by allowing senior officers bypassed by the CA to stay in their respective posts “to preclude a hiatus in the service and gap in their appointments, and to avoid prejudice to public service or endanger public safety.”

“I have contemplated on availing (myself) of early retirement but decided to fight not for myself but for the entire military as an institution,” Bangit said, adding that he was sorry to learn that some senior officers might also have been bypassed by the CA because of their closeness to him.

“It seems that because of me, the Armed Forces is being dragged into politics. Several of our officers, some officers who needed the confirmation of their rank, have been denied the privilege just because I am one of them,” he said.

“This is no longer just about General Bangit whom they doubt despite contrary evidence. This has been about the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This has been about our politicians who do not understand what the Armed Forces is all about, politicians who disregarded the military systems that we have worked hard to put and strengthen for the good of the institution and for the stability of this country,” he said.

Bangit also scored Edwin Lacierda, spokesman of President-apparent Sen. Benigno Aquino III, for repeatedly calling for his resignation.

“There have been announcements by Mr. Lacierda for me to resign despite my acknowledgment that I serve under the pleasure of the commander-in-chief. He does not know what he’s talking about,” Bangit said.

He said that filing a resignation, under the rules, is tantamount to abdication of duty under Articles of War No. 58.

“I have no intention of holding on to my position. I have been very clear about it but even then, I would not waste my remaining (days) in the Armed Forces no matter how long and no matter how short that can be,” Bangit said.

“As long as I am here, I will be the chief of staff of the AFP. I will fight any side that drags the Armed Forces into politics,” he said.

“The AFP’s professionalism is already at the level that we can all be proud of and therefore I ask the members of the Armed Forces – the officers here who were together with me in the bypassing of the CA, to defend the AFP and fight for our institution,” he said.

“We are not above our civilian leaders but the honor of the soldiers, our honor as soldiers, rests on how far we can sacrifice in defending our country,” he added.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said Aquino should be careful in making a decision regarding Bangit.

“If and when we get to that point (deciding on Bangit’s fate), our only reminder would be, as I mentioned earlier, to please continue to keep in mind the integrity of the chain of command and the morale of the officer corps before making any decisions or actions that have to do with the continuation in office of General Bangit as chief of staff,” Olivar said.

Ready to meet Noynoy

But AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said Bangit is ready to meet Aquino after his proclamation and even lead a security briefing for the new commander-in-chief.

Burgos said Bangit had written Aquino to congratulate him.

“It would be better if the senator would get the proper information from the Armed Forces instead of from some other outside groups,” Burgos said.

“But if they (Aquino) want a briefing before the proclamation, we can easily arrange that,” he said.

Burgos said Bangit would respect whatever decision Aquino makes regarding his fate.

“It’s not actually that he would be fighting any efforts or any forces that would remove him. It’s only that he’s very clear that the chief of staff serves at the pleasure of the president who is also the commander-in-chief,” he said.

Burgos admitted that more than 300 officers felt demoralized after being bypassed by the CA.

Open to a meeting

Aquino himself said he is ready to talk to Bangit as soon as he is proclaimed, possibly this week.

“I think we will have to talk soon. I have not yet talked to him because I don’t want to sound like I’m giving orders already when I’m not yet proclaimed,” Aquino told reporters.

“But I think both he and I understand our respective positions and we’ll arrive at a solution that will take cognizance of all considerations,” he said.

He declined to say what he was planning to tell Bangit.

“Can we wait until I talk to him so I don’t talk to him through the media? Give him a little courtesy,” he said.

The AFP has said Bangit may stay because it was his four-star rank as general that was not confirmed and not his appointment as military chief.

“But there will be no consensus. He knows where I am coming from. The commander-in-chief is singular,” Aquino said.

“I can challenge anybody to go back to the previous statements of the people who held that position or any position in the executive department and the oft-repeated phrase that they’re serving at the pleasure of the President,” Aquino said.

“You have the rank confirmed by the CA. He was bypassed, therefore he did not get that rank, I am having that studied. At the same time, you might have the rank but the position is what’s important,” Aquino said.

Asked if he had someone in mind to replace Bangit, Aquino said, “Yes, someone from the senior class.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., for his part, said Aquino has every right to review and revoke the midnight appointments made by President Arroyo.

“Beneficiaries of what are deemed midnight appointments should not insist on staying put upon the expiration of President Arroyo’s term. Out of delicadeza, they should voluntarily tender their courtesy resignation and give way to the appointees of the new president,” he said.

Pimentel said Mrs. Arroyo’s appointees should realize that they could not work effectively and harmoniously with the administration of Aquino since “they do not enjoy his trust and confidence.” – With Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero and Alexis Romero