'Extending Ibrado's term could be GMA's last admirable act'

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Rodolfo Biazon urged President Arroyo to extend the term of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, which could be her “last admirable act” as commander-in-chief.

“I would ask her (Mrs. Arroyo) to extend Ibrado as a last act that can be admired. If she is after making an image-building effort, one thing that could contribute toward that is extending Ibrado all the way up to June 30,” Biazon said in an interview during the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy last Saturday.

“His (Ibrado’s) retirement will come right in the middle of the campaign period. Any assignment, reassignment or relief of public officials can only be interpreted as a political move. Whoever is going to be put in place will be suspected of being a puppet of President Arroyo,” Biazon added.

Ibrado, who assumed his post in June last year, will retire on March 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Various sectors have clamored for the extension of Ibrado’s term until June 30 to ensure the neutrality of the military during the polls.

Malacañang, however, has not yet decided on the issue.

Biazon, a former AFP chief of staff, said Ibrado has manifested a certain level of professionalism and believes that his extension will contribute to political stability.

“His (Ibrado’s) desire to retire is a personal issue. He should set that personal issue aside and serve this country to provide stability. I admire him for that but he should rethink that position of his,” he said.

He cited the way Ibrado handled martial law in Maguindanao after Malacañang declared military rule in the province last December in the wake of a massacre that claimed the lives of 57 people, including 30 media practitioners.

“The way he handled the Maguindanao martial law, I admire him for that because he showed that he understood what is provided by the Constitution,” Biazon said.