Palace defends appointment of 2 men linked to Lacson

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang defended yesterday the appointments of retired police general Magtanggol Gatdula as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director and Angelito “Lito” Banayo as National Food Authority administrator.

Both Gatdula and Banayo were identified with Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who went into hiding before a warrant of arrest was issued against him in connection with the murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and President Aquino’s spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, said both men were appointed based on their credentials. Lacierda also acknowledged that the two helped Aquino in his presidential campaign.

Gatdula was Lacson’s deputy at the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force and also served as Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief.

Banayo is a political analyst and strategist but Ochoa said his credentials would show he was fit to manage an entity like the NFA. Banayo also headed the Philippine Tourism Authority during the time of former President Joseph Estrada.

Ochoa said the Palace would not extend any political accommodation to Lacson amid his reported plans to surrender to authorities.

“If political accommodation means you’ll break a leg and try to move around, skirt around, circumvent this and that, or what might be, I don’t think we will do that,” Ochoa told reporters Thursday night.

Ochoa said it would be up to the courts to deal with Lacson.

Ochoa said Gatdula has his own track record, especially as QCPD chief. “(He was chosen) because of his own credentials, he’s a lawyer too right? In the NBI it’s very important that you are also a lawyer… I think one can attest to his capabilities. He had done so much in Quezon City when it was his turn to lead the Quezon City Police District,” Lacierda said.

Ochoa, who was Quezon City administrator for nine years, described Gatdula as a “gentleman, the way I know him.”

Lacierda said Gatdula’s appointment would not ensure that Lacson would indeed surrender.

“The senator’s feelers were sent prior to the appointment of Mr. Gatdula. So is there’s an indication, not so much because Mr. Gatdula was appointed as NBI head but because of the atmosphere or the belief that Lacson will be able to obtain a fair trial under the Aquino administration,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima informed them that Lacson sent surrender feelers as early as June. As for Banayo, Lacierda said he was also very much qualified.

“I can speak for Mr. Banayo because I was with him during the campaign… Mr. Banayo shared the common vision of Senator Aquino and we all believe that Senator Aquino will be the best person to lead the country. We just like to emphasize that there’s no bearing on his work with Senator Lacson,” Lacierda said.