Gonzales confident Noy will honor defense deals with other countries

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing defense secretary Noberto Gonzales is confident that the incoming Aquino administration will honor the multi-billion peso government-to-government deals that the defense department has entered into with other countries in line with the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Gonzales was reacting to statement made by president-elect Benigno Aquino III that a review is in order on all defense contracts or dealings he (Gonzales) has entered into, which the new administration will void if found to be anomalous.

“In the first place there’s no contract for them to void,” explained Gonzales who, during his seven-month stint as defense chief of outgoing President Arroyo, fast tracked defense procurement by doing away with the usual pre-qualification bidding processes.

Instead, he introduced a new approach to the country’s modernization program by way of government-to-government acquisition program, which he described as graft-free and very fast.

Under this scheme, the defense department was able to conclude a P2.8-billion deal with Poland for the acquisition of eight combat utility helicopters.

The fund used to purchase the eight W-3WA helicopters was originally part of the P5-billion budget released by President Arroyo for the purchase of combat utility and night-flying capable attack helicopters under the AFP Capability Upgrade Program.

An additional P1 billion was also appropriated by the outgoing President to add more funds to the AFP modernization program.

Gonzales said the procurement of these combat utility helicopters from Poland is aimed at gradually replacing the Philippine Air Force’s fleet of aging UH-IH Huey helicopters.

He said that a negotiated procurement with the United States Department of Defense for the purchase of second-hand attack helicopters with night flying capability is already in the works.

“I am leaving a new concept, a new approach for the AFP modernization, especially the government-to-government scheme. It’s all documented and the incoming defense secretary can always study it,” he said.

However, he conceded that the incoming president has the power to cancel all the deals that the defense department sealed under his term.

“Once the President orders it (cancellation) it will happen, but I don’t think he (President Aquino) will do it. It’s no joke to have these things happen after two or three years of preparations and planning,” Gonzales said.

He said he is sad that he is leaving the department without sealing a deal for the acquisition of a long-range patrol aircraft for the Philippine Navy, as suggested by key military planners 15 years ago.

“I think already six defense secretaries approved the purchase plan but until now we have yet to acquire these planes,” Gonzales said, but added that the Navy is getting two multi-role vessels in a year or two.