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Friday, March 29, 2024

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First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to thank The Standard for its interest in the Department of National Defense, and for keeping a fair and balanced reportage of the department and its programs throughout the years.

Having said that, we wish to address the points raised by Mr. Tony Lopez in his Nov. 4, 2015, Virtual Reality column entitled “Gazmin, Abaya, Honrado.” 

Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin has never hidden the fact that he is close to the President and the Aquino family. In fact, he has been quoted in news articles that if it were not for his closeness to the Aquino family, he would have never come out of retirement to serve as secretary of National Defense, as he is well aware of the problems plaguing the defense establishment, as well as the gargantuan task of implementing reforms that are required to change it for the better.

When he accepted the daunting challenge, Secretary Gazmin encountered an Armed Forces that badly needed modern defense materiel to raise its capability and mission readiness. With the President’s support and commitment to the AFP Modernization Program, the DND was able to procure more helicopters, ships, individual troop equipment and mobility assets, to name a few. In fact, we are pleased to mention that the first batch of FA-50 lead-in/fighter/trainer planes from South Korea is due to be delivered before the year ends, signaling the AFP’s return to the supersonic age in terms of its aircraft.

Mr. Lopez brought up the controversy surrounding the UH-1 Helicopter Acquisition Project. It will be recalled that Secretary Gazmin ordered the creation of an Investigation Committee to look into the transaction. The exhaustive investigation took into account affidavits, attachments, and relevant documents from concerned DND and AFP officials and the project proponents. Ms. Rhodora Alvarez, however, declined to submit her affidavit or attend the Committee’s clarificatory hearings.

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The results of the investigation were issued on July 29, 2015, which found that Republic Act 9184 or the “Government Procurement Reform Act” and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations were followed in the bidding process for the UH-1 Project. In addition, the Committee found that the technical specifications of the UH-1D were compliant with the Terms of Reference of the project, and that the allegations of Ms. Alvarez were unsubstantiated and marked with inconsistencies, ultimately amounting to hearsay evidence.

A special demo was also conducted for the media and some members of the House of Representatives, wherein pilots flew all seven helicopters accepted by the Philippine Air Force from different parts of the country to Camp Aguinaldo, proving their airworthiness and capability to conduct missions.

Regarding “Gazmin’s able executive director” of the NDRRMC who “abruptly quit reportedly because he could not stand the procurement scandals at the DND,” Mr. Lopez might be referring to former Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, Undersecretary Benito Ramos. Usec. Ramos has put on record that he resigned to care for his ailing wife. There is also absolutely no truth to Secretary Gazmin’s supposed “hand in naming corrupt top officials at the Bureau of Immigration and the National Penitentiary.” The Defense Secretary does not meddle in the internal affairs of other government agencies, let alone appointments of their key officials.

Secretary Gazrnin is a hands-on, no-nonsense type of leader as reflected in his sterling military career and track record. He was at ground-zero during the most tumultuous and challenging times under the Aquino administration, including the Zamboanga crisis and Typhoon “Yolanda.” We believe that branding him as a leader who “is lethargic and far removed from reality” is both uncalled for and unfair.

We hope this response to Mr. Lopez’s column merits your attention and space in one of your future issues. Once again, thank you and more power to The Standard.

DIR. ARSENIO R. ANDOLONG, MNSA

Chief, Public Affairs Service

Department of National Defense

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