New DND chief must distance self from 2007 elections — Biazon

Malacañang should ensure the new defense secretary would distance himself from politics in the midterm elections next year and focus on addressing the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said yesterday.

Biazon, who served as defense chief during the Aquino administration, said the appointment of a civilian or a former military man is not the issue but the appointee’s credibility and integrity in running the defense department without any political interference from the administration.

Biazon though refrained from commenting on reports that Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane is a virtual shoo-in for the defense portfolio.

"I will give the President the prerogative to choose with one advice: Mag-ingat lamang sa ia-appoint niya na secretary at hindi dahil sa nakatulong sa nangyari sa halalan nung 2004 at ito ba ay makakatulong sa halalan sa 2007," Biazon said over dzBB radio.

Biazon said the President should be careful in appointing anyone who might give the impression that the appointee would be used in the coming elections.

He said the next defense chief should be able to continue reforming the military and address the country’s insurgency problem.

"He (the new defense chief) should be able to understand that the solution to the insurgency is not solely military, it includes all other angles including economic, political, social and cultural (factors)," Biazon said.

He said the new defense secretary should pursue the reforms implemented by outgoing Secretary Avelino Cruz.

Among the reforms initiated by Cruz is not to utilize the military for election duties, along with the promotion of soldiers’ welfare and retirement funds following the fiasco in the Retirement Services and Benefits System (RSBS).

Biazon lauded Cruz for his excellent job in looking after soldiers’ welfare during his term.

Cruz filed his resignation effective end of this month.

His resignation came after criticizing the administration-supported people’s initiative petition to amend the Constitution, which was thrown out by the Supreme Court.

At the same time, Biazon pushed for the creation of a new National Security Act.

The senator noted the present national security law is anchored on the law enacted by then US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1934, which was implemented in the Philippines by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1935. — Christina Mendez