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Sunday, November 12, 2006
Cruz calls off plan to face media
MANILA -- Outgoing Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz begged off from a supposed joint press conference with an American official wherein the defense chief was going to settle pressing issues on his resignation effective Nov. 30.
Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs director Rosulo Manlangit told reporters that Cruz decided not to face the media "because he is preparing his after-term report that includes the achievements he has made."
Manlangit earlier said Cruz might finally get to see the media after a meeting with United States assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs John Hillen, who is the link between the US State Department and Pentagon.
Asked when Cruz will finally face the media to explain what prompted him to leave President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Cabinet, Manlangit said "as soon as it (after term report) is completed, may be next week, within one week."
Cruz submitted his resignation letter two weeks after the Supreme Court (SC) voted to junk the people's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Cruz has explicitly aired his strong opposition to the petition.
He also alleged that three Cabinet members, who he did not identify, want him out of the Cabinet because of his adverse stand on the people's initiative issue.
A Malacañang official said one of the three officials could be Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.
President Arroyo, meanwhile, has consulted Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon the acceptability of a person who is being groomed to be Cruz's successor.
Esperon said the President, who is the military's Commander-in-Chief, called him up last week and asked for his opinion on whether the person was fit to handle the defense portfolio.
"The President asked me about a name, one name, about a person. I was asked. (Arroyo) mentioned a name," said Esperon.
When asked to identify the person, the AFP chief replied: "I'd rather not comment."
Esperon was silent on what was his response to the questions posed by the President, who will temporarily head the defense department when the resignation of Cruz takes effect and until she picks a replacement for Cruz.
A number of personalities have been earlier mentioned as among those who may replace Cruz, including Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, both former PNP chiefs.
The other candidates for the top DND post are former Armed Forces chiefs Roy Cimatu and Narciso Abaya, the special envoy to Middle East and chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), respectively.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez and Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay, a staunch ally of the President in the House of Representatives, were also mentioned as among Cruz' possible successor.
In a press briefing, meanwhile, Hillen and US Ambassador Kristie Kenny described Cruz as a "real visionary for the region and for this country" and "an extraordinary leader."
"We have had a tremendous partner in Secretary Cruz who has been a real visionary. We wish Secretary Cruz every success as he returns to private life and we very much look forward to continuing progress with his successor," said Kenny.
For his part, Hillen said the last achievement that Cruz has scored is leaving in place "this terrific institutional momentum for a continued defense reform."
He was referring to the Philippine Defense Reform Program, which Pentagon is supporting.
Hillen and Cruz talked about varied issues, including Philippine and US cooperation in the fight against terrorism, maritime issues and disaster-response, among others. No new agreements or agenda had been discussed in the meeting.
Asked if there will be changes in security cooperation policy in view of the resignation of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield and Cruz, Hillen said the two countries are committed to "continue this tremendous momentum" on security cooperation.
"(Philippine) defense reform will continue to move forward and we'll continue to support the Philippine-led effort," said Hillen, who also assured the continuation of the cooperation in southern Philippines which he said "is starting to bear tremendous fruit."
"All of that will continue to move forward at pace. But we need to concentrate very diligently over the next few years on building this terrific start. We're going to put all our efforts into making sure that we'll realize that agenda," added Hillen.
Hillen was scheduled to fly to Mindanao on Saturday where US forces are training Filipino troops in defeating terrorists.
He said he and his delegation will visit Sulu, a stronghold of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (November 12, 2006 issue)
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