Galvez out: Palace confirms OPAPRU leadership change

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is no longer at the helm of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro confirmed the development to reporters on Tuesday.

In a statement, Galvez said his successor would be former Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento. Galvez also said his retirement is effective today, April 21.

''I shall step down from public office after forty-six years of unbroken service to our nation. This decision is borne of a personal necessity to attend to the health of my wife, and to devote myself to my family—a commitment that is, perhaps, long overdue,'' Galvez said.

''My journey in the service of the Filipino people has been the greatest honor of my life. Following my tenure as the 50th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I was privileged to serve in various capacities: as the Presidential Peace Adviser, Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, Vaccine Czar, and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense,'' he added.

Galvez also expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. for the trust and opportunity to serve the Filipino people. 

''I am deeply honored to President Marcos for extending my tenure, allowing me the continuity to see our shared peace initiatives through to this chapter,'' he said.

Galvez, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also honored the brave men and women of the military. 

''Having walked the ranks with you for decades in winning and securing the peace, I thank you for your gallantry and for the years of shared sacrifice in the name of our flag; you are the silent anchors of our democracy,'' Galvez said.

He also expressed confidence that under Sarmiento's leadership, ''our pursuit of a just and lasting peace will reach even greater heights.'' 

In a separate press briefing, Castro said the President thanked Galvez for his steadfast leadership at OPAPRU, particularly in advancing the enforcement of signed peace agreements and sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro transition. 

''His contributions, first as a soldier and later as a peace negotiator and adviser, reflect a lifetime of service to the Republic, and the nation owes him a profound debt,'' Castro said.  — RSJ/VBL, GMA News