Lorenzana: Mercado sacked due to frigate deal

FILE: Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo: Delfin Lorenzana/Facebook)

Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana gave a confirmation that Philippine Navy (PN) Chief Vice Admiral Ronald Jose Mercado was relieved from his post due to insubordination in a P15.5 billion-worth frigate acquisition.

Lorenzana in a press briefing on Wednesday said, “As the Secretary of Defense, I have lost trust and confidence in his integrity and leadership. I question his intention behind his fixation with one specific company for the combat management system of the frigate acquisition project.”

“Ngayon si (Now) Admiral Mercado want(s) to bring in another company, another system na hindi naman kasama sa kontrata (that is not included in the contract). So for quite some time, nagbabalikan dito ‘yung mga directive (directives have been returning here),” he elaborated.

The DND Secretary further said that the two directives his office issued were “disregarded” by Mercado, as the PN Chief then “continued to insist on his system.”

“So to me, that is tantamount to insubordination. So his constant call… he was around forum shopping and he talks about rescinding the contract kung hindi matutuloy ‘yung pinapasok niyang kumpanya (if the company he has been recommending is not included),” Lorenzana said.

He, however, clarified if not for the acquisition team expressing alarm over the four-month-delayed-project, he would not have relieved Mercado from the position yet.

“In fact, they were the ones who really recommended to me na i-relieve (to relieve) si Admiral Mercado, but I said, ‘Huwag muna, pag-uusapan muna (Not yet, it will be discussed first),’ but he continued to insist and continued to talk, putting the department in a bad light,” Lorenzana explained.

Yesterday, PN Spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in a press statement, “The Philippine Navy as a professional organization always follows a lawful order from the chain of command. The change of command ceremony this morning, the Navy extends its gratitude to Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado for his dedicated service rendered as the Flag Officer-in-Command.”

Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief-of-staff for retirees and reservists will be filling the vacant post in an acting capacity.