Government post awaits retired Armed Forces Chief Bautista -- Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 18): Government post awaits retired Armed Forces Chief Bautista -- Palace
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III said Friday a government position is ready for Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who has officially retired from his post as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.

In his speech during the change of command at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, President Aquino said Bautista will take a one-month vacation, then assume a government position.

Bautista, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Sunday, was replaced by Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. The two belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Dimalupig Class of 1981.

While President Aquino did not identify the post, he commended Bautista for his stint as AFP chief, citing his humility, diligence and expertise.

The President mentioned the difficulties Bautista had gone through, including the Sabah crisis, the Zamboanga siege, the kidnapping of peacekeepers in Golan Heights, the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, and typhoon "Yolanda" in the Visayas.

“He has been weighed so many times. His skills and dedication have been put to the test… No one could say that he did not succeed,” the Commander in Chief said.

During the event, President Aquino conferred on Bautista the Presidential Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander for his valuable and meritorious service to the country.

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