CIVILIAN positions are given as reward to AFP and PNP who hang their colorful uniforms for good. I am referring to scores of former military and police officers appointed in the cabinet and cabinet level positions that retired from service in “good” performance and maintained strong connection with then Mayor Rody. Notwithstanding either once assigned in Davao or in some part of Mindanao.
Even in pre-martial law part of Marcos era, appointments to “juicy” positions after retirement were practiced to reciprocate loyal officers. And being new to non-military work, the appointees were encouraged to take crash courses in management at the Asian Institute of Management under the integration program of the National Defense College.
There is nothing wrong to the appointment of the retired AFP and PNP. Because once they retire, their statuses are again civilian. According to the constitution, only the active uniformed men cannot hold civilian positions in the government and quasi.
What about those who were not appointed to civilian posts in the government after retirement? Some of them engaged into ascetic life of farming, others established their own training and security services, some involve in investing stock markets and live to the full enjoyment of being a retiree, and the others are now the men behind the disgrace of PCSO and backers of investment schemes.
Going back to the academy, all of them went through the strenuous somatic and mental training, tactical mastery, all military obligatory drills and the inevitable marksmanship. These officers developed discipline, loyalty and integrity; so President Duterte not only toast with them, but tap their shoulders with appointments to positions, like:
1. Gringo Honasan, once a renegade soldier who led many coup attempts against Aquino, the mother (of new era democracy) turned senator. Malacañang vouched his shortfall to the minimum requirement set under R.A. 10844 such as the seven years expertise in the field of information and technology, saying his management expertise qualifies him to head DICT.
2. Nicanor Faeldon, a rebel soldier with Alejano and Trillanes who occupied Oakwood, was appointed to head the Bureau of Customs. When failed to vindicate the bureau, he exit in the revolving door of the cabinet to enter the same revolving door, to head the Bureau of Corrections.
3. Isidro Lapeña, failed to address the P11 billion worth of shabu shipment, exit BOC passing through the revolving door of the cabinet and entered the same revolving door to head Tesda. He is facing two counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Dereliction of Duty and Grave Misconduct. The bureau where 64 administrative personnel were fired is now manned by former Task Force Davao commander, and became the AFP chief of staff Rey Leonardo “Jagger” Guerrero.
Will the revolving door of the cabinet for the retired AFP and PNP officers suppresses corruption? Can the expression of gratitude to reciprocate loyalty be considered corruption? Whatever it is, we only hope it will motivate the young and active uniformed officers to be loyal to the flag and the constitution.
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