Saturday, April 19, 2008 Esperon: No offer for defense chief post
ARMED Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Friday dismissed talks about reported impending appointment as the defense secretary once he retires from the service next month, describing them as mere rumors.
"That's all speculations," said Esperon following a fellowship meeting by the Association of Generals and Flag Officers inside Camp Aguinaldo. He said there are no words from Malacañang about his supposed appointment.
Esperon is scheduled to bow out of the service on May 9 after a three-month extension of his term to sustain the fight against the communist insurgents. He is going to be replaced by Army Chief Alexander Yano.
"You know the matter of serving Cabinet is entirely the President's (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) choice, prerogative so I would be honored but then I would not, in the least terms, even impose myself because as I said its entirely the President's prerogative," said Esperon.
He said if appointed defense secretary, he would be honored. "Of course. Service to country is foremost in our dreams, aspirations so even an opportunity to serve in other capacity then why not, why not, as I believe there are very important things that we could do," he said.
Esperon is described by some quarters as the most loyal general of the President. Esperon, who is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1974, once served as commander of the Presidential Security Group, which is in charge of the security of the President and her family.
"There are no overtures, there are no talks about it (his rumored assumption as defense secretary), you should believe that. Malacañang has given a statement that there has been no offer so let's take it at that," he said.
If the talks were true, Esperon would be replacing incumbent Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who assumed the defense portfolio late last year. Teodoro is a lawyer and a three-term congressman of Tarlac.
"That is speculation, I could not comment on something that is not offered. As I said, it would be purely speculative and it is even inappropriate for me to comment or react. After all, there is no offer," he said.
If offered, Esperon said: "If I could be of service, if I could help I am one who would not back out, shirk from my duty so let us see but certainly government or non-government, we have plans because we are only 56 (years old)." (VR/Sunnex)
