Teodoro steps down as defense chief

With only 14 days to go before the deadline for the filing of the certificate of candidacy, presidential hopeful Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Jr. on Monday officially stepped down as defense secretary.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Norberto Gonzales thus took over as acting defense secretary.

During the formal turnover held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Teodoro expressed confidence on the capability of Gonzalez. He said the department “is in good hands.’

In his assumption speech, Gonzales vowed to pursue the modernization of the department, saying the defense portfolio is “close to his heart.”

Gonzales was also the acting defense chief before Teodoro assumed the position in August 2007.

Teodoro commended Gonzales’ performance during his short tenure as defense chief.

“Nanggaling na siya dito. Alam mo nung nag-take-over ako sa kanya, yung beheading ang nangyari nun, maganda ang paghawak niya sa crisis na yun. At sa NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating Council) naman interesado din siya (He has been here. You know, when I took over after him, the beheading happened then. The way he handled the crisis was good. And he is interested in the NDCC),” Teodoro told reporters in an interview.

In 2007, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) kidnapped and beheaded 11 members of the Philippine Marines in Basilan who were involved in rescue efforts for the abducted Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi.

When asked what he is looking forward to now that he has relinquished his defense chief post, Teodoro said in jest: “I’m looking forward to a dinner with my family and to sleep early, to sleep early.”

Teodoro said that among the things he will prioritize now that he can focus on his campaign is how to boost his ratings in surveys.

“May mga plano ‘yun, natural. Exposure, ikot, focus (There are plans for that, naturally, exposure, going around, focus),” Teodoro said.

For his part, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who oversaw the formal turnover, said that the former defense chief “did not use his very important position to advance his political career.”

Ermita added that Teodoro’s resignation was a “noble gesture” adding that the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats standard-bearer can now concentrate on his presidential bid.

In a separate press conference held after the turnover, Gonzales said that he is not yet sure if he will remain as the NSA now that he has been appointed as defense chief.

Teodoro is the standard-bearer for the administration’s Lakas-Kampi CMD party.

The party, led by Lakas-Kampi CMD vice chairman Ronaldo Puno, officially declared actor and game show host Edu Manzano as its vice presidential candidate Friday.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

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