Gov’t service should be open to all: Lorenzana

FILE: Lorenzana issued the statement Thursday to belie Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison’s claims that President Rodrigo Duterte and “pro-US militarists” in the security cluster of his cabinet are destabilizing their own regime. (Photo courtesy: PTV via PNA)

MANILA — Everybody must be given the chance to serve the government.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made this remarks in response to the objection of former Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo to the looming appointment of outgoing Army commander Lt.

Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista to the agency, shortly after his retirement from the military service this Oct. 15.

“Alam mo ganito kasi nangyari diyan (You know this was what happened), when the name of General Bautista was announced by the President, she reacted ‘Bakit siya?’ (Why him?. Sabi ko naman (I said), why not, tutal nung ikaw naman ang in-appoint hindi naman nag-react ‘yung security forces eh alam naman nila na makakaliwa ka (when you were appointed, the security forces did not object even if they know that you are left-leaning. I’m not red-tagging her, everybody should have the chance to serve the government whether you are (in) military or not,” Lorenzana said Wednesday.

The DND chief also took exemption to claims that the government is being militarized due to the appointment of former ranking military officials to key government positions.

“Why are they singling out the military? Wala ba kami karapatan magserbisyo sa gobyerno? (Don’t we have the right to serve the government?) Are we not capable? Si General Bautista has proven himself he served his country loyally and with dedication for the past 56 years then they will question (his appointment to the) DSWD, I think anybody can do that. So, bigyan niyo lang ng (give them the) chance because they were given the chance also, we did not complain, why are they complaining now? Militarization? B*llsh*t. Dapat lahat tayo may chance na mag-serve sa ating gobyerno (We should all have the chance to serve in our government),” he added.

Bautista is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985. Earlier, the DND chief said he believes the outgoing Army commander will do good as DSWD chief.

“Gen. Bautista’s advantage is that he is a professional and as such he will insure that the DSWD does its mission. He also has the trust and confidence of the President,” the DND chief said.