After Parlade appointment, Hontiveros slams Duterte for ‘recycling disgraced officials’

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s “recycling disgraced officials” after he appointed retired military officer Antonio Parlade Jr. as deputy director-general of the National Security Council (NSC).

“I do not understand at all why President Duterte is so committed to recycling disgraced officials to new government posts and rewarding bad behavior among public employees,” she said in a statement.

The lawmaker said Parlade’s appointment will only cause “national insecurity and instability” considering his previous controversies.

“We have many officers qualified to serve as Deputy Director-General of the NSC who are not spreading fake news and red-tagging everything from community pantries to celebrities. Bakit ito pang si General Parlade ang napili? [Why did Duterte choose him?]” she asked.

Parlade used to be one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

He became controversial during his stint over his statements linking administration critics, celebrities, community pantry organizers and schools to the communist movement.

His designation as NTF-ELCAC was questioned by several senators. They said it is a violation of the Constitution for an active member of the armed forces to hold a civilian position in the government.

Parlade resigned from the NTF-ELCAC ahead of his retirement last July.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the president has the authority to choose his appointees.

“Lieutenant General Parlade (retired) is not disqualified to hold the position. Those opposing his appointment have the right to express their opinion as long as their comments will not violate existing laws,” he said. — BM, GMA News