Lorenzana sees smooth transition, handover of DND to successor

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5, 2022): Lorenzana sees smooth transition, handover of DND to successor (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo)

With less than three months left before the end of the Duterte Administration, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he has already ordered his staff to prepare for the transition and handover of responsibilities to his successor.

"What I am doing now is I have directed my staff to prepare my own transition and prepare the documents, including our clearances from the Ombudsman and all those agencies requiring us to get a clearance, and they are now listing or putting in a paper, sheet of paper, all of the functions of the SND, (committees) where I am chair, where I am member, so that when the new (SND) will arrive or assume the post, he will be ready)," Lorenzana said at the sidelines of the wreath-laying ceremonies for this year's Philippine Veterans Week at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

Lorenzana also said his successor will not experience any problem regarding the turnover of responsibilities.

The 73-year-old retired military officer took over the helm of the DND in 2016, replacing Voltaire Gazmin.

"And I think there will be a very smooth transition like what Secretary Gazmin did to me, nagkaroon kami ng usapan, nag-briefing, nag-briefing din sa akin e, sa akin kung anong gagawin (we had a meeting and he briefed me on what to do)," he added.

After completing a full term as defense chief, Lorenzana said he will enjoy life as a private citizen upon stepping down on June 30.

"Pahinga muna ako, pressure talaga rito sa DND (I will be resting for a while, there is really a lot of pressure at the DND)," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171426