Duterte offers MWSS or DND post to ex-AFP chief Gapay

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday offered retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gilbert Gapay a post either at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) or the Department of National Defense (DND).

Duterte made the offer after Gapay delivered his valedictory address during the change of command ceremony at the AFP headquarters in Quezon City.

“Sir, after tonight, you might want, you might opt to take the MWSS [post] vacated by General [Emmanuel] Salamat or you might also choose to be with your home ground, the DND. It’s your choice,” the commander-in-chief told Gapay during the event.

The President also congratulated Gapay for his “successful” stint as military chief.

“During your tenure, you have commendably steered the men and women of AFP towards our goal of eliminating insurgency and securing our sovereignty,” he said.

“When our nation faced a daunting public health crisis last year, you inspired your troops to risk their lives to contain the pandemic and provide essential humanitarian assistance to our people.”

Duterte said Gapay set a “high standard not only for you and those around you, but most especially for the institution’s future leadership.”

Gapay was succeeded by Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, a former Army chief and Medal of Valor recipient.

Open to new post

Gapay said he was open to returning to a government post after his retirement.

“That’s why pag-iisipan natin nang husto ito. I will, of course, I will take on another position pero kung ano ‘yun, I’ll think about it first,” he said in an ambush interview.

Gapay said that he will prove doubters wrong.

“As long as you deliver. You work hard, put your heart in it, you know it doesn’t matter if you’re from the military or other sectors as long as you know your job and do it well for the good of the general public, the good of our country, and the people. I think that’s the best,” he said.

“[I]t’s not where you come from but what you can do and what you can deliver. I think ‘yan ang pinaka-importante,” he added. —With a report from Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News