Teodoro: Military action mere ‘wishful thinking’ of some groups
The Armed Forces of the Philippines remains stable and loyal to the chain of command and the Constitution, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said amid growing concerns about corruption in government projects.
Teodoro rejected suggestions of a military intervention as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his position that people’s anger over systemic corruption in government was “valid.”
Mr. Marcos said the government must confront corruption issues head-on, including irregularities he himself exposed in flood control projects, to regain the public’s trust and end what he called the “unscrupulous abuse of power and greed.”
Retired and active members of the military and police have earlier expressed support for the President in his campaign against corruption, including members of the Association of General and Flag Officers, Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc., National ROTC Alumni Association, and Confederation of National Unified Service Associations.
“Our people are exhausted, they are disappointed, they are angry. And as I have said before, their rage is valid,” Mr. Marcos told newly-elected and appointed officers of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) in Malacañang yesterday.
“It is born from years of frustration at a government characterized by systemic dysfunction and unfulfilled promises.”
“Reforming our government is the only way we have to win back the trust of our people…Amid the challenges affecting our institutions, we must remain firm, uncompromised, and united in fighting corruption. The unscrupulous abuse of power and greed must come to an end,” the President added.
“The President has full trust in our soldiers, that they will remain steadfast and will follow only what is stated in the Constitution.”
– President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Teodoro, for his part, said military action will never solve political problems such as corruption.
“No one in the AFP made any plans (to intervene). Many are praying that someone had, but no one is making any plans in the AFP,” he said.
“Every organization has discontent. But if that discontent has something to do with a revolt, it’s not that. That’s just the wishful thinking of some. It won’t happen,” Teodoro added.
In a separate briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said: “The President has full trust in our soldiers, that they will remain steadfast and will follow only what is stated in the constitution.”
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla also affirmed the military is “solid and disciplined” despite issues hounding the government stemming from alleged anomalous flood control projects.
She likened “politically motivated distractions” to radio static, which she said “make(s) noise but don’t actually change the signal.”
Padilla said claims of a brewing military-led destabilization plot are “part of disinformation campaigns.”
Mr. Marcos earlier created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to probe alleged anomalies in flood control and public works projects, including those already fully paid for but not built or constructed with substandard materials.
The ICI as a fact-finding body is mandated to investigate alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of funds in government flood control and related projects within the last 10 years.
The commission is chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., who is joined by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. executive Rossana Fajardo as members.
The ICI has the power to issue subpoenas; endorse the admission of witnesses into the Witness Protection Program; and recommend asset freezes, hold departure orders, and preventive suspensions to preserve the integrity of investigations.
