President Rodrigo Duterte appointed another former military official to a government post, naming retired Philippine Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr. as head of the Philippine Coconut Authority.
The appointment was made as Congress was crafting a bill for the return of the multi-billion Coco Levy Fund to Filipino coconut farmers, which had more than P100-billion fund including interests, Malacañang said.
“ I want somebody who is really above the rest of the crowd…He has a spotless record…,” the President said in his speech during the PAF change-of-command at Villamor Air Base.
“…when we were conferring in the Cabinet, I was looking for a candidate to be the chairman who should be someone where I could rest my hope in him and no single peso would be lost,” he said.
The President admitted that even though he did not know much about Kintanar, he was already “eyeing him” to fill the position.
“When the time comes and if I can get the mechanisms of how the money will be distributed to the beneficiaries and if I look for somebody…where the money would not be lost, that person should be the retired General Kintanar,” he said.
During the event, the President praised Kintanar for accomplishing the Air Force mission, especially in its efforts to fight insurgency and terrorism.
Under his watch, the PAF in coordination with other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies, many terrorists have surrendered or have been arrested, firearms were recovered, a drug laboratory was dismantled, many drug personalities were captured, and millions worth of illegal drugs were seized.
“During his tenure, General Kintanar has proven his commitment to duty as highlighted by his valuable contributions in ensuring security during the rehabilitation of Marawi, as well as the humanitarian and relief assistance during typhoons and disasters throughout the year,” the President said.
“All these attest to the exemplary leadership of General Kintanar and the collaborative efforts of the valiant men and women of the Philippine Air Force,” he added.
READ: Kintanar takes over Air Force