Quote:

 

AFP chief walks out on media
By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated March 23, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit lost his cool yesterday and walked out of a press conference after being asked about his supposed rift with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Bangit was irritated by a question from a television reporter who asked why he and Verzosa seemed to have been ignoring each other during the Philippine Army’s 113th anniversary celebration.

“Maintriga ka ha, yan ang hirap eh (You are sowing intrigues, that is the problem). If you do not say anything, you are wrong. When you say something, you will have a mistake. So my PIO (Public Information Officer) will take care of everything,” he said.
Bangit then walked off, to the surprise of reporters.

In a separate interview in Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP top brass said some reports are already alarming the public and the media seem to find delight in sowing disunity among the military officers.

“Maybe (it is part of) some business of the media who would like to have many issues for their own end. We hope we would put an end to this,” he said.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Bangit merely wants to stress that he had already spoken about the issues involving him.

“He (Bangit) has said a lot about the issue since he assumed his post. He has made his point clear already. He thinks these are enough,” Burgos said in an interview, adding that Bangit was merely rushing to catch an appointment.

Burgos said Bangit is not angry with the media but believes that some of the scenarios being floated by administration critics are unfair.

Falling out of grace

Speculations that Verzosa and Bangit are not on good terms surfaced after the PNP chief said he will defy the AFP chief in case he allows himself to be used by Malacañang to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s term.

Even Mrs. Arroyo was reportedly angry with Verzosa.

But the two exchanged text messages yesterday on administrative matters, belying reports that all’s not well between the President and the PNP chief.

Critics also pointed out Mrs. Arroyo’s failure to attend the PNP Academy graduation rites in Silang, Cavite last week, where she was supposed to be the guest speaker.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina has denied that Mrs. Arroyo and Verzosa are at odds, dismissing the issue as a media creation.
It was noticeable, however, that Mrs. Arroyo did not acknowledge Verzosa in her speech during yesterday’s event.

While Verzosa was also present at the celebration, Mrs. Arroyo only greeted Bangit, Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag, other officers of the AFP, members of the diplomatic corps, and the men and women of the Army.

“We have been in contact always, nag-text siya (she texted me) this morning (Monday) about administrative matters,” Verzosa said.

He said he did not find it unusual that the President did not acknowledge him during yesterday’s anniversary of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio.

The President’s failure to acknowledge Verzosa further fueled speculation that she took offense at her PNP chief’s statement that he will not support her if she wanted to stay in power.

Verzosa said his statement of support for the President was merely spliced to insinuate something. He maintained that the PNP and the AFP will always follow lawful orders.The PNP chief said the entire police force is concentrating on the coming elections to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

Quote:

 

Bangit sees media as partner
By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated March 24, 2010 12:00 AM 

MANILA, Philippines - Despite walking out on media last Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit regards journalists as his “partners” and is supportive of efforts to keep the public informed, a military spokesman said.

“We acknowledge the media as our partner. Our appeal is for our media friends to convey the exact message to the target audience, to the general public,” AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said in a press briefing yesterday.

Burgos said Bangit understands that the media are just performing their duties as he respects their freedom of expression.
Burgos, however, claimed that the AFP chief did not intend to walk out in the media briefing.

“He said it is very clear that I have my PIO (public information officer) to answer your questions. It’s just that he has a scheduled (courtesy) call by the PMAAA (Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association). He had to rush to Camp Aguinaldo,” he said in Filipino.

The PMAAA event last Tuesday was held after the Philippine Army’s 113th anniversary celebration in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. The PMAAA met with military officials to express their support for honest and peaceful elections.
Burgos said he has not spoken to Bangit about the reports on his walkout, which landed in the front page of some dailies. He, however, gave assurances that the AFP chief is not harboring any grudge against the media.

“He is not angry,” Burgos said.

“At this point, we need the support of everyone,” he said, referring to reports linking Bangit to supposed divisions within the military.

On Monday, Bangit abruptly left journalists who were interviewing him after a television reporter asked him about his supposed rift with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

“You are sowing intrigues, that is the problem. If you do not say anything, you are wrong. When you say something, you will have a mistake. So my PIO will take care of everything,” Bangit said.

The AFP chief then left abruptly, surprising reporters.

In an interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Bangit claimed that some media reports are alarming the public. He said the media seem to take pleasure in misunderstandings within the military ranks.

Bangit a no-show at Task Force Hope

Bangit was a no show at yesterday’s conference of the National Task Force HOPE held in Camp Crame, further fueling speculations that there was a rift between him and Verzosa.

Bangit, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class’78 that adopted President Arroyo, has made a statement supporting her administration. On the other hand, Verzosa, PMA Class ’76, said he would not support the President if she decides to stay in power.

Rumors of a falling out between the President and Verzosa continue despite the strong denial of Malacañang, Bangit and Verzosa.

With the absence of Bangit in yesterday’s conference, Verzosa left the meeting shortly after he delivered his opening statement and refused to grant interviews.

‘Don’t shoot the messenger’

This was the unsolicited advice of Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial bet Rey Langit to Bangit who blamed journalists for reporting controversial issues in the military and in the government.

In defense of his media colleagues, Langit said that journalists should not be at the receiving end of someone’s ire since they were merely doing their job.

“He should not be too sensitive; what he did is conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman,” said Langit, noting that it was a female television reporter who pissed Bangit off.

Quote:

 

  abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 06/01/2010 7:39 PM | Updated as of 06/01/2010 7:39 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit will step down from his post once told by president-apparent Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who will assume the post on June 30, a military spokesman said.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos made the statement a day after Aquino told the media that he is not going to re-appoint Bangit, who is perceived by some quarters as a loyalist of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Burgos said he spoke with Bangit on Monday, and the AFP chief mentioned to him that he has his "personal sentiment" about the reports.

However, Burgos did not elaborate on Bangit's "personal sentiment", adding the AFP chief will just keep that to himself.

Quote:

 

  By Christine O. Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:28:00 06/02/2010

Filed Under: Government, Military, Inquirer Politics, Congress

MANILA, Philippines—Submit your courtesy resignation, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon has urged Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit, rather than pursue a last-minute confirmation in the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Biazon said he learned that Bangit on Monday submitted to the CA secretariat documents necessary for his confirmation.

Bangit, who was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 9, or a day before the constitutional ban on appointments took effect, has yet to undergo scrutiny in the CA which is made up of members of Congress.

At the time of his appointment, Congress was on recess due to the election campaign. At present, it has resumed its session to canvass the votes for president and vice president as the national board of canvassers, prior to proclaiming the winners.

The other day, presumptive president-elect Benigno Aquino III said he was bothered by reports the CA was being urged to convene in order to confirm Ms Arroyo’s appointees, including Bangit.

In the news conference, Aquino said he was not inclined to reappoint Bangit.

Quote:

 

Palace leaves fate of Bangit to Noynoy
By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated June 07, 2010 12:00 AM 

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is letting the next administration decide the fate of Armed Forces chief of staff Delfin Bangit, who, despite criticisms of his appointment, continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Arroyo.       

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar insisted that Bangit’s appointment, like all other appointments made by Mrs. Arroyo, was in accordance with the law but may be reviewed by Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III when he becomes president.

“As for General Bangit, he serves as chief of staff at the President’s pleasure, which he obviously enjoys from Mrs. Arroyo. Senator Aquino, if he feels differently, can dismiss the general two seconds after he recites his oath of office (on June 30),” Olivar said.

Aquino has said he is not keen on retaining Bangit as military chief because he was appointed under questionable circumstances.

The Commission on Appointments (CA), led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, ended its hearings on pending appointments last Friday without confirming Bangit. 

(...)

       

Quote:

 

  Presidential frontrunner Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III already has someone in mind to replace Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit when he takes over as the country's president.

The new military chief would be from a "senior class" of the Philippine Military Academy, Aquino said, refusing to give further details until he has personally talked to Bangit.

Bangit's appointment to the military's top post was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

"Palagay ko mag-uusap kami soon. Di ko siya kinakausap pa dahil ayoko, di tayo naproproklama parang nagmamando na tayo in the future," said Aquino at a press briefing inside his Times Street home.

(I think we'll talk soon. I haven't talked to him yet because I haven't been proclaimed yet, I don't want it to appear as if I'm already issuing orders for the future.)

Aquino pointed out that once he becomes president, he would have the power to choose the military chief he prefers.

"Walang consensus kay Bangit, alam niya saan ako manggagaling. Ang commander-in-chief yata singular (There would be no consensus regarding Bangit, he knows where I'm coming from. There is only a single commander-in-chief)," said Aquino.

Despite calls from Aquino's camp for him to relinquish his post, Bangit has maintained that he would not resign as armed forces chief.

Bangit is a known loyalist of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1978, which includes President Arroyo as an honorary member. He will retire on July 31, 2011.