New gov't post for retired AFP chief General Bautista

From Rappler (Jul 18): New gov't post for retired AFP chief General Bautista

'After one month, he will return to government service,' the President says in his speech during the change of command ceremony for the AFP chief


  

NEW POST. File photo of retired AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista

If the President likes you, it means more job for you.

Just a few minutes after Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista relinquished his post on Friday, July 18, President Benigno Aquino III announced his return to government service.

"Doon po sa mga nanghihinayang sa pag-alis ni Manny Sundalo sa AFP, huwag po kayong mag-alala. Pagkatapos ng napakahabang bakasyon—mga isang buwan—ay magbabalik siya para ipagpatuloy ang paglilingkod bilang sibilyan," Aquino said in his speech during the change of command ceremony for the AFP chief in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

(To those who regret that "Manny Sundalo" is retiring, do not worry. After a long vacation – around a month – he will return to public service as a civilian.)

The President did not identify the post.

There have been talks that Bautista will replace Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. A Cabinet official told Rappler after the retirement ceremony that Bautista will be given another post, however.

Aquino spoke hightly of Bautista's service in the military. "Ngayon nga pong siya naman ang bababa na sa puwesto, talaga naman pong magkahalong saya at lungkot ang nararamdaman natin. (Now that he is relinquishing the post, we feel mixed emotions of happiness and sadness.)

Bautista's term has been difficult. He had to deal with the Sabah crisis shortly after he assumed the post in January 2013; the March 2013 kidnapping of peacekeepers in Golan Heights; the September 2013 siege in Zamboanga City; the October 2013 earthquake in Bohol and Cebu; and Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas in November 2013.

The President and Bautista worked closely together during these crises. (READ: Son of slain general is new AFP chief)

"Tinimbang siya nang paulit-ulit; sinubok ang kanyang kakayahan at dedikasyon. At ngayon, walang makapagsasabing hindi siya nagtagumpay," Aquino said. (He has been weighed many times. His capabilities and dedication were tested. No one could say he did not succeed.)

Bautista, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Sunday, July 20, was replaced by Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/63681-bautista-new-government-post