Just wait for GMA's decision on Bangit's case - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Everyone must await President Arroyo’s action on the case of Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, who has been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA), Malacañang said yesterday.

Speaking over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan expressed disappointment over the CA’s failure to confirm Bangit.

The CA ended its hearings on pending appointments when Congress adjourned last Friday. It would resume work when the 15th Congress opens in July.

Bangit’s fate became an issue when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is overall CA chairman, called on him to step down because his appointment has not been confirmed.

Peyuan said Mrs. Arroyo would be considering Enrile’s statement, as well as what the law requires in such cases.

“We have to, of course, be guided by the Commission on Appointments in this case as headed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,” he said.

AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang should take over from Bangit once he vacates his post, according to Enrile.

Peyuan said Malacañang would study if Bangit should step down if bypassed by the CA as argued by Enrile.

“If this is what is required by the law then the Palace has no intention of opposing this,” he said.

Peyuan said the public must not be concerned about a void in the military’s high command and the security of the nation.

Mrs. Arroyo is always on top of the situation as AFP commander-in-chief, he added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang continued to defend the supposed midnight appointments of Mrs. Arroyo.

Enrile and several other lawmakers have called on the appointees to submit their courtesy resignations to give the next president a free hand in choosing his own people.

Peyuan said the appointments were “done within the prescribed period under the law for the appointing authority to issue appointments.”

“What the senators are asking, we are leaving to them in their personal capacity,” he said.

Peyuan assured the senators that a lot of the appointees are competent and decent people.

Meantime, rumors are flying that soldiers are becoming restive over the CA’s bypassing of Bangit and 305 other senior military officers promoted to the next higher rank.

However, Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., AFP public information chief, said there is no restiveness within the military rank and file. – Marvin Sy, Jaime Laude