Cruz: Civilian should be named next DND chief

By AMITA LEGASPI, GMANews.TV For the first time since he submitted his irrevocable resignation to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo early this month, outgoing Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr on Monday broke his silence, stressing that a civilian should be named as his successor. In what could be his last press briefing as defense chief, Cruz said the choice for his replacement should be in accordance with the recommendations of the Davide and Feliciano Commissions, two bodies that looked into the circumstances surrounding the December 1989 coup and July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, respectively. Both commissions had recommended that a civilian should head the Defense department, which has the Armed Forces of the Philippines as one of its bureaus. "The DND needs the fresh perspective of a civilian," Cruz said during the 67th anniversary of the Defense department. Cruz took over the DND helm in August 2004. Citing unnamed sources, the fortnightly magazine Newsbreak earlier reported that Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr will be taking over Cruz’s post come December 1. The same Newsbreak report said Arturo Lomibao will assume Ebdane’s post at the DPWH. Both Ebdane and Lomibao are former chiefs of the National Police. But the President had said that she will take over the defense portfolio for at least two months when Cruz’s resignation takes effect November 30. Asked on the recent developments, Cruz said in Filipino: "The President has yet to inform me on who will she appoint here. It will be the judgment call of the President." Continue reform programs Cruz expressed hope that the next defense secretary would continue his Philippine Defense Reform program (PDR) which aims to improve the defense capability and competitiveness of the Armed Forces and to continue insulating the military from partisan politics. At the same time, Cruz vowed to never return to government service, which he first entered in 2001 as the President’s chief legal counsel. "I have no plans of going back to the government." Likewise, Cruz said he does not entertain thoughts of entering politics, much more be included in the political opposition’s senatorial slate in time for the May 2007 polls. "I will rest first, after that I will think about what I will do later," he said, adding in Filipino that, "I will think about the next step of my activities and my career at another time." Former President Joseph Estrada earlier said Cruz, who resigned over his contradictory stance against the people's initiative petition for Charter changes, was free to join the opposition's senatorial ticket for next year’s midterm elections. Cruz said the hardest thing to do in government is "to say no to your friends and allies but it is part of good governance." He added that public servants need to do these things "when it is the right thing to say." Moving on Three Cabinet officials reportedly wanted Cruz sacked because of the latter's unsavory remarks against the people's initiative petition, which the administration had backed as a means to amend the 1987 Constitution. As far as he was concerned, Cruz believed that he contributed sufficiently to the Arroyo administration during his six years of service. Asked about the instances when he had to say no to the President, Cruz said that, "I have served her to the best of my ability." Cruz also refused to talk about his reported rift with three Cabinet secretaries on the issue of pursing the people's initiative. "I do not want to dwell on the past. I want to move forward," he said. He also refused to say his reasons for leaving government service. "I had discussions with the President on important matters. The discussions were held in confidence so I can't talk about it." - GMANews.TV