Noynoy to review AFP promotions

MANILA, Philippines - President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III vowed to review the promotions of the more than 300 military officers that were bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

“Those who were bypassed (in the promotion) will be reviewed, those who are deserving will be forwarded to the Commission on Appointments upon the assumption of the 15th Congress,” Aquino told ABC-5.

Aquino declared he would review the appointments of the bypassed senior military officers, except the appointment of Gen. Delfin Bangit as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Aquino justified his decision not to take in Bangit, stressing as the chief executive and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, he has the prerogative of choosing the next military chief.

“The AFP is not General Bangit. He is a member of the AFP but I don’t think the institution itself is equivalent to Gen. Bangit,” Aquino said.

He revealed that he has someone in mind to replace Bangit and his name would be announced in due time.

At the same time, Aquino assured the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that they would be given the utmost preference in his administration.

“One of my advocacies, as protector of the state, and also the PNP, is that they should be treated equal with human rights,” he said.

Aquino said the number of AFP and PNP personnel has not increased since 1986.

“In EDSA I, we have 50 million Filipinos. We are close to 100 million now. They have not been given the necessary assistance or not even an increase in number, thus making their job difficult. That has been one of my priorities and that will be rectified,” he said.

In the same interview, Aquino said he chose Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to administer his oath of office on June 30, defying the tradition of being sworn in by the most senior magistrate.

“With the chief justice, there is no law that compels me to subscribe to an oath administered by the SC chief. I may remind everybody that my mother (the late President Corazon Aquino) took her oath with Justice Claudio Teehankee who was not the chief justice of that time,” Aquino said.

Aquino also appealed to the public to bear with him in the daunting task of solving the country’s problems.

He said these cannot be done right away. “I wish I can do it tomorrow, but I think we cannot solve our country’s problems overnight.”

Aquino pointed out that he would inherit a huge budget deficit of P400 billion.

Like everyone else, Aquino said he shares the view of every Filipino that corruption in government must end.

On top of the agenda, Aquino said he would convene the cabinet as soon as he assumes the presidency.

“That’s the first priority. After that, I would like to start giving them their marching orders so that by July 1, it is already a positive action on the problems we want to address,” he said.