GMA to relinquish post as DND chief next week

President Arroyo is expected to relinquish her post as acting defense secretary when she meets her top defense officials next week.

Mrs. Arroyo, who assumed the defense portfolio in an acting capacity for two months following the resignation of Avelino Cruz, is now attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Her two-month stint as acting defense secretary gave her the opportunity to directly oversee the ongoing implementation of the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) initiated by Cruz.

The two months also gave her enough time to search for Cruz’s replacement.

"She (The President) is scheduled to hold a meeting next week to tackle issues on defense acquisition," said director Rosulo Manlangit of the Defense Office of Public Affairs (OPA).

Manlangit, however, could not confirm any other announcements that would be coming from the President upon her return from Switzerland.

Mrs. Arroyo is expected to announce the appointment of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. as the next defense chief.

Ebdane himself admitted his eagerness to assume the defense post if the President names him to it.

Ebdane was among the personalities that backed Mrs. Arroyo during the second EDSA people power revolt that ousted Joseph Estrada from the presidency.

It was also reported that Ebdane shielded the President from further harm brought about by the "Hello Garci" controversy by allegedly taking under his custody former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Meanwhile, discussions on the recently concluded RP-US defense steering committee meeting on the PDR have centered on the gains of the country’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign and its success.

Aside from the PDR progress’ updates, US defense and military officials praised the ongoing RP-US joint anti-terror drive in Mindanao, a ranking official revealed.