David: I don't need pabaon

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Ricardo David Jr. said yesterday he does not need any “pabaon” or sendoff money once he leaves the service because his retirement benefits are enough to buy a house or a car.

In an interview with radio station dzBB, David admitted that the retirement pay being received by generals is huge.

“Honestly, I don’t want to tell this but the retirement (pay) of a general is huge. One can build a house and that is enough for members of the Armed Forces. Mine (benefits) is huge so it is not surprising that I do not need a pabaon,” David said, but did not say how much he will receive after he retires from the service.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. had previously said that David may receive around P3 million to P4 million in retirement pay.

Data from the AFP public affairs office show that a retired general is entitled to a monthly pension of about P60,000, a base pay and long pay as well as financial remuneration from Pag-IBIG and the Retirement and Separation Benefits System.

In an earlier interview, David said the only “pabaon” he will bring with him are his retirement pay and the love of soldiers.

The AFP’s financial system was placed under scrutiny after retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa told a Senate hearing last Jan. 27 that former military chiefs were given millions in sendoff money upon retirement.

He said the giving of hefty cash gifts to top officials is part of a military tradition.

Rabusa said former AFP chief Angelo Reyes got P50 million in sendoff money while former military chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu got P160 million and P80 million, respectively.

Rabusa said some military funds had to be diverted to ensure the availability of the sendoff money. Reyes, Villanueva and Cimatu have denied his accusations.

Who’s next?

David said his last days in the service are hectic even as he intends to start his farewell rounds to the troops this week.

He said he still has to complete some tasks given by President Aquino and continue talking to soldiers about the corruption controversy that the AFP is facing.

He said he will start bidding goodbye to the troops this week. Among the field units that he may visit are the Army’s 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions and the Northern Luzon Command, which he led before being appointed as AFP chief.

David said the President has not chosen his successor but maintained that all the generals he recommended are qualified.

“Everybody among the three-star generals is qualified (to be the next chief of staff). What is important is he should have the confidence of the President,” he said.

David earlier revealed that Aquino had interviewed all the three-star generals and two major generals to help him choose his successor.

The three-star generals in the AFP are vice chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, deputy chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban, Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, Air Force commanding-general Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, AFP Inspector-General Vice Admiral Mario Catacutan, and PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon.

The two-star generals who were interviewed by the president were 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jessie Dellosa and deputy chief of staff for operations Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. had said that the President might choose a younger official as AFP chief to ensure continuity in the military programs. Aquino, however, said that age is not the sole factor he would consider in naming David’s successor.

Leaving a legacy

David said his legacy to the AFP is the new security plan “Bayanihan,” which aims to address armed rebellion through development programs.

“This (Bayanihan) involved a paradigm shift. Our battle cry is winning the peace. Our aim is to extend our hands to the different sectors of society particularly the armed groups,” he said.

Bayanihan was implemented starting Jan. 1 and will be in force until 2016. The defense plan was designed to attack the roots of insurgency like poverty.

“I want to improve the image of the AFP not as human rights violator but the protector of the people. This defense plan is open. We do not hide anything in our strategy,” David said.

He said he has not been informed as to what position would be given to him after he retires.

“If I am deemed worthy to the duty given to me, I want to help our President,” he said.

David will turn over his post to the next AFP chief on March 7, a day earlier than his retirement due to conflicts in the schedule of the President.