The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, September 13 confirmed the ad interim appointment of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).
Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. faces the Committee on National Defense of the Commission on Appointments Wednesday, September 13, 2023 which deliberated on his ad interim appointment as head of the Department of National Defense (DND). (Senate PRIB Photo)
The CA, likewise, approved the nomination and ad interim appointments of 11 senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and three officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The powerful appointments body also approved Erlinda Piñera Uy, as a member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, CA chairperson, said Teodoro’s appointment came in a “very opportune time, not only in addressing the issues of internal security threats, but also above all, the external threats, with the heigthening tensions within the West Philippine Sea.”
“His impressive academic and military records, diplomacy and integrity as well as unquestionable dedication to protecting the interest of the Filipino people makes him more than qualified once again to take over the position of secretary of DND,” Zubiri said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also said she is vouching on Teodoro’s academic, professional, ethical background and other qualifications which she deemed necessary to take the helm of of the country’s security.
Teodoro had already served as defense chief during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is now a member of the House of Representatives.
“I am sure that with Sec. Teodoro at the head of our defenses, we can sleep at night peacefully knowing that our nation’s freedom is protected by a brilliant secretary whose heart is for the people,” Legarda said.
“It is, therefore, my honor to support and join the sponsor in moving for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. as Secretary of the Department of National Defense,” she said.
Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said that as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, he now looks forward to working hand-in-hand with Teodoro in pursuing and steering into passage the priority legislation of the defense portfolio.
“Our distinguished appointee is a man of many hats – a three-term legislator in the House of Representatives, bar topnotcher, business executive, licensed commercial pilot, Air Force colonel, constitutionalist and human rights advocate, 45-caliber expert, a dedicated public servant and a two-time Defense Secretary,” Estrada said.
“He has consistently excelled in all these fields, and earned the trust and respect of his colleagues and contemporaries, and of our national leaders. In all his endeavors, he truly embodied ‘Galing at Talino’ and at all times, accomplished the mission,” he pointed out.
“With his glowing reputation preceding him, it is not surprising that he was called upon by the President to return to his previous post. This representation believes that his appointment is an inspired choice,” the Estrada reiterated.
During his appointment hearing, Teodoro assured opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros that the DND, under his watch, will strive to strengthen the Philippines’ defense posture as the country faces serious challenges externally and internally.
As of the moment, the DND is strengthening the AFP’s modernization program as well as the leveraging the country’s alliances with other countries.
“That is why, we need to catch up with the managerial aspect and we will try to introduce management solutions to managerial problems, and not military solutions to managerial problems. That is the transformation that we are trying to make, your honor,” Teodoro told lawmakers.
“We are also deeply re-strategizing what we intend to do at least in the next five years in order not only to make the defense department more responsive to the outside and internal environments but also to make more efficient our use of resources, and to use information technology to the highest extent possible,” he added.
Teodoro also said the need to focus on protecting the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and other jurisdictions in the country has “become paramount now as the whole word is in a race for resources.”
“We cannot afford to be laidback here; we need to be cognizant here because we can and principally use diplomacy. However, if diplomacy is not backed up by a strong spinal cord, then we will just be stymied by a greater force,” the DND chief warned.
Teodoro also said the agency is keeping tabs on the internal security threats, citing the security risks of the influx of Chinese nationals coming into the Philippines to work.
“It's the activities that we cannot see, like yung pagpasok ng mga workers dito na dapat gawin ang trabaho po ng ating mga kababayan. Yan po ang nakakabahala (like the entry of workers coming here to work the same jobs that our countrymen should be doing. That is worrisome),” he said.
Thus, he said the DND, will be keeping an eye on covert economic and information activities that are happening internally.
Aside from Teodoro, the CA also approved the nomination and ad interim appointments of the following senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines:
- Jose Jesus C. Luntok to the rank of Brigadier General
- Ramon P. Flores to the rank of Brigadier General
- Dennis R. Pacis to the rank of Brigadier General
- Peter Jempsun V. De Guzman to the rank of Commodore
- Nasser P. Lidasan to the rank of Brigadier General
- Benedict D. Balaba to the rank of Brigadier General
- Steve D. Crespillo to the rank of Lieutenant General
- Arvin R. Lagamon to the rank of Major General
- Ivan Dr. Papera to the rank of Brigadier General
- Col. Lloyd S. Cabacungan, PAF to the rank of Brigadier General
- Col. Fernando G. Ventura, PAF to the rank of Brigadier General
The CA also approved the nominations of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials namely:
1. Catherine Cruz Sy, as Foreign Service Officer, Class IV;
- Kira Christianne Danganan Azucena, Chief of Mission, Class 1, as non-resident Ambassador to Niue, in addition to being Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to New Zealand, as
- Charlie Pacaña Manangan, Chief of Mission, Class 1 as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq