Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves
By Angie Rosales, and Mario Mallari 06/07/2010 He may have the stars but he won’t shine, for now or forever. Shortly after his ad interim appointment had lapsed, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit risks “floating” as a four-star general should presump-tive president apparent Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino consider his own man for the post the moment he takes his oath on June 30. Such a fate now hangs over the head of Bangit, who was recently promoted by outgoing President Arroyo from the rank of three-star general shortly after naming him Chief of Staff, succeeding Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado only last March. Bangit served as Arroyo’s Presidential Security Group chief before he was named Chief of Staff. He was also believed as one of the four military generals mentioned in the taped Hello Garci scandal that marred the re-election of Arroyo in 2004. With his temporary appointment lapsing with the adjournment of Congress, Bangit’s case has created sort of a bedlam in future appointments by the incoming administration, especially in the case of the Chief of Staff. Should Aquino snub Bangit, he will sink into a “floating status” as a four-star general without an assignment. But Aquino could no longer appoint another four-star general, even if he names a three-star general as his Chief of Staff, as under the law, only one could become a four-star general at a given time, and that the highest military rank is usually reserved for the Chief of Staff. It is also unlikely Bangit will give up his four-star rank. Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed3.html |
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