MANILA, Philippines - Undersecretary Ariston de los Reyes was relieved as part of the regular reorganization of the Department of National Defense, Malacañang said yesterday.
However, presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo refused to comment further on the relief of De los Reyes.
“We are not going to get into explaining individual appointments and removals,” he said.
“I understand that this was part of the overall reorganization. He was not the only one removed; there were like one or two officials.”
Saludo said commenting on one case would “open the floodgates” for the Palace to explain in public every reassignment or relief of officials in the past.
“If we give one explanation then someone else will demand the same right to have his movement explained. We decline to give explanations to individual personnel,” he said.
Saludo also declined to comment on the supposed link between the relief of De los Reyes to his recommendation to have two defense officials investigated.
“What is more important is to take a look at what has happened to the cases he is investigating. You are welcome to ask about specific investigations he was involved with,” he said.
Saludo said he is certain that an office or official would handle the function of investigating internal matters previously assigned to De los Reyes.
“Internal audit is part of the overall system to institute good governance,” he said.
Malacañang does not need to explain the relief of De los Reyes or any other official because it is the prerogative of the President as the appointing authority, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said.
De los Reyes said Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza informed him that his designation had been terminated because of the reorganization in the defense department.
However, he did not say if he believed that the investigations that he had initiated against an undersecretary and assistant secretary were the reason for his relief.
DND: De los Reyes exceeded term
Agapito Lugay, head executive assistant of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, said the maximum allowable term of any official moved from one office to another is three years.
“His (De los Reyes) term has already lapsed,” he said. “If he was appointed in 2006, his term should have been finished in 2009.”
Lugay said President Arroyo named De los Reyes presidential assistant after he retired from military service in 2006.
De los Reyes was then moved to the DND as undersecretary for internal affairs, a position created for him, he added.
Lugay said the length of service of De los Reyes in the DND has exceeded three years.
“Supposedly, that was not extendable,” he said.
“It is very clear that he was appointed by Malacañang. It is the prerogative of the President, and anybody who is appointed by the President serves at her pleasure.”
In a separate interview, De los Reyes said he is not aware that his term was set to lapse after three years.
“There was an agreement during the time of (former defense) secretary (Hermogenes) Ebdane Jr. that I was seconded to the DND.
“The agreement did not state any time limit of three years. They should show you (media) the MOA that was signed.”
De los Reyes claimed he was moved to the DND in 2007 since he was reporting directly to Malacañang in 2006.
“Initially, I received my salary from Malacañang,” he said. “I was seconded and signed an agreement. After that, I received my salary from DND.”
De los Reyes said he started working in the DND after Ebdane had assumed his post as secretary of defense.
“Of course I followed the order,” he said. “I am ready for that after 43 years in government service.” – Marvin Sy, Alexis Romero