Aquino said when the Zamboanga siege happened, Gazmin immediately reported to him and did not hesitate to be in the frontline. He asked: “Sinong hindi matutuwa sa tulad niyang walang pinipiling panahon sa paglilingkod? (Who would not be happy with someone like him who knows no time when it comes to service?)
As he reminded soldiers of the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, Aquino recalled again (as he has recalled in past occasions) his traumatic experience during several coup attempts against his mother, Cory Aquino.
(“Ilang coup ang dinaanan ng administrasyon ng aking ina, pero hindi po kailanman pinanghinaan ng loob si Sec. Volts. Biruin po ninyo, sa gitna ng putukan at habang nagsisimula nang umikot ang mga tora-tora sa ere, puwede siyang kinabahan, puwede siyang nag-panic. Pero hindi niya kami tinalikuran. Pinili po niyang protektahan ang ating Republika, at ipaglaban ang demokrasya. Maraming salamat kay Sec. Volts; talaga naman pong hanggang ngayon, tinatanaw ko pa ring utang ng loob ang kanyang katapatan sa serbisyo. (In the many coups that my mother’s administration faced, never did Sec. Volts waver. Imagine, he could have panicked in the midst of shooting and while we were the rebels were threatening the country by flying the tora-tora. But he chose to protect the Republic and fight for democracy. Thank you, Sec. Volts. Up to now I am grateful to you for your loyalty.”
He said he feels secure because he knows that the military’s operation and strategy is in good hands with Gazmin in the DND and Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as Armed Forces Chief.
Aquino’s tribute to Gazmin should scuttle talks that Aquino was displeased with him for his blunder last September when he alleged at the budget congressional hearing that the Chinese put concrete blocks within Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough shoal, as foundation for structures that they plan to establish on the reef.
It turned out later that the concrete blocks had been there for many years and were put by the American military as sinkers for wreckage of ships that they used as targets in their shooting practice. This was the time when Subic was the U.S. naval base.
Gazmin’s departure from DND was being talked even before the September concrete blocks blunder. It has something more to do with his lack of vision as defense chief.
What we heard was the Liberal Party, particularly Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who has not given up his dream to become president, would like Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya to head the defense department.
Abaya, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was a Philippine Navy officer.
The LP would like Hernani Braganza, former Alaminos mayor and defeated gubernatorial candidate, to replace Abaya at DOTC.
But Braganza would only be qualified to hold a government position in May 2014, when the one-year ban for those who ran in the last election expires.
An Inquirer report said Gazmin asked Aquino about rumors that he would be replaced. Aquino’s reply: “Pinagti-trip-an ka lang (They’re just making fun at your expense).”
Who could that be?
Uh-uh, heaping praises to Volt already! That means goodbye in Noy’s lingo.
Although not quite significant, it’s good to note that Gazmin is a Freemason and many of the officials and VIPs belong to the oldest fraternity. Their brotherhood is well known. That’s why the highest positions in some military and police agencies are his fellow Masons like PNP Chief Purisima. What’s the point some may ask. Well, they protect one another.
This is a comment I posted in a Facebook discussion:
Gazmin has proved himself a loyal and dependable security officer. Does that make him a good defense minister?
In the beginning of the Aquino administration, Gazmin just wanted a cozy job. He has retired from the military and he wants to enjoy it. He wanted the ADB Philippine representative post. Diplomat status, very good pay. But PNoy didn’t have anybody he can trust with military background.
This thinking is even faulty because for one to be defense minister, one does not have to come from the military. Former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and Gilbert Teodoro didn’t come from the military ranks but they were good defense secretaries.
Anyway, that’s how Gazmin got to be defense secretary. And as Aquino himself said in his tribute, his number one outstanding attribute is loyalty.
In fact, most of those around him particularly the military and police officials are his former security from PSG like PNP Chief Purisima. Apparently, Pnoy cares about his own security not the country’s.