Aquino impressed by 'George Clooney, Albert Einstein' of the Philippine Navy

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday was all praise for Rear Admiral Ceasar Taccad, the new flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy.

In his speech at the change of command ceremony, Aquino admitted that in the past, he never knew personally the new Navy chief.

"Ang balita lang sa akin, ikaw daw ang pinaghalong George Clooney at Albert Einstein sa serbisyo," Aquino said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

"Sabi po nila, dahil sa celebrity look mo, marami daw ang nagpapaselfie sa iyo. Itinuturing ka ring henyo dahil sa talas ng isip mo partikular na sa mathematics," he added.

Aquino recalled that when he met Taccad, he was impressed with the military officer's simplicity and humility.

The president challenged Taccad to properly manage the country's naval forces in dealing with security threats.

"'Di biro ang bago mong tungkulin. Masalimuot ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap ng ating bansa. Kailangan mong balansehin ang kapasidad ng ating hukbo sa pagtugon sa mga banta sa ating seguridad,"

Aquino expressed confidence that Taccad will do well in his new post and the Navy will continue to improve under his watch.

Aquino signed Taccad’s appointment papers last Thursday, according to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

'Soft-spoken but well-respected'

Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo described the incoming Navy chief as “unassuming, simple, soft-spoken and well-respected.”

“He (Taccad) is an officer who is very easy to get along with. He is not difficult to deal with,” Arevalo said.

“He is very simple, actually very soft spoken and silent most of the time but if you are able to talk to him about engaging issues about the Navy, about command and leadership, you will be able to learn a lot from him,” he added.

Arevalo believes Taccad’s vision and leadership “will definitely bring the Navy to greater heights.”

Taccad began his career in the service in 1982, after his graduation from the Philippine Military Academy.

He was as a junior officer from 1983 to 1985, fleet staff until 1988 and then served in the Naval Training Command from 1988 to 1991. He later joined the Philippine Naval Staff for Plans at the Philippine Navy Headquarters.

From 2003 to 2014, Taccad led various naval task forces and held a number of top positions such as naval staff chief, naval inspector general, and deputy commander and vice commander of the Philippine fleet.

Taccad completed several military courses including an international surface warfare officer Course in Coronado, California.

He received numerous awards including four Distinguished Service Star medals, four Gawad sa Kaunlaran medals, two military civic action medals and several other military merit and commendation medals.

Taccad hails from Cavite City and was born on Nov. 13, 1960. – with Alexis Romero