Roque: Nothing wrong with appointing ex-military officials in Cabinet

There is nothing wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to appoint retired military officers in Cabinet posts, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In an interview with GMA News’ The Mangahas Interviews , Roque said ex-military officials in the Cabinet exemplifies discipline.

“Wala namang masama roon. Tignan mo naman si General Galvez, iyong discipline niya as a military official, nagagamit nita sa procurement ng COVID-19 vaccines.  I don’t think he (President Duterte) made a mistake,” Roque told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas.

Roque was referring to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., a former military chief who has been appointed vaccine czar by the President.

At least 1.12 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines so far.

Of this number, 600,000 doses were Sinovac donated by the Chinese government while 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines were donated by wealthy nations and firms under the COVAX facility which is a global facility aiding low and middle income countries in their pandemic response.

The Philippines started its COVID-19 vaccination program last March 1, the last to do so among 10 Southeast Asian nations.

In addition, not a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine paid for by the national government has been delivered to the country almost one year since the country went on full lockdown to stop COVID-19 transmission.

Roque, however, maintained that ex-military officials are dependable.

“I see how they work, at iba iyong disiplina and diligence hanggang magawa nila ang order ni Presidente, and that matters in public administration,” Roque said.

He denied that hiring ex-military officials compromises quality and leaves agencies under a leadership of a person with no expertise.

“Hindi po. In a matter of expertise, doktor ang Secretary of Health, ekonomista ang nasa NEDA, malawak ang karanasan sa private sector ng DTI Secretary, at hindi sundalo ang DFA Secretary,” Roque said.

“But when it comes to efficiency in government, tiwala siya sa mga dating militar in implementing his orders,” Roque added.

Aside from Galvez, other retired military officials serving in the Duterte Cabinet include: Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana,  Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, Director General Isidro Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Customs Bureau chief Rey Guerrero, Secretary Rolando Bautista of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — RSJ, GMA News