Gibo Teodoro says no concerns military will withdraw support

There are no concerns over the military withdrawing support for the administration as troops remain supportive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control projects, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro said Sunday.

According to Teodoro, there are no concerns as the President already ordered an independent and credible probe into the flood control projects. 

“Alam ng Pangulo na kapag hindi katanggap-tanggap ang findings na lalabas dito or may mas fair, na common knowledge naman, of course subject to evidence, pero kung may mas fair na dito, magiging incredible na dito,” Teodoro said in an interview.

(The President knows that if the findings are unacceptable, or if there is something fairer, which is already common knowledge, of course, subject to evidence, but if there’s something fairer than this, then this will lose credibility.)

“So we have no worries na there will be instability insofar as the ranks of the DND (Department of National Defense) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he added.

This comes as formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which will conduct its own investigation into the irregularities in infrastructure projects, and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

The commission is chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr., and counts as members for Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo. It will also have Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser.

Teodoro was asked regarding the possibility of the military possibly withdrawing support for the administration, given recent “coup” rumors among retired generals, among others.

"There is no concern at all," he said.

“Now the use of the term by some others, retired generals, has some twist to it na dapat naman, siyasating mabuti ng ating mga taumbayan (that it is only right that our people look into it carefully),” he added.

Teodoro also noted that 10 associations, including the Philippine National Police Alumni Association, the Coast Guard, and the Military and Uniformed Personnel, remain supportive.

“They are true to the Constitution and supporting the President’s move for an independent and impartial investigation into this flood control mess,” he said.

“Lamang, marami pa rin na dapat tignan natin — ‘yung tamang paggamit ng pondo, hindi lamang sa national, kundi sa local, kasi ang pondo na nadudulot dito ay napakalaki na pwedeng gamitin sa modernization among other things,” he added.

(There are still many things that we need to look into — the proper use of funds, not only at the national level but also at the local, because the funds involved are substantial and could be used for modernization, among other things.) –NB, GMA Integrated News