President Duterte said yesterday that Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will keep his post as head of the Department of National Defense.
Lorenzana declined his appointment as ambassador to the United States as he wants to stay in the country.
The President said that he called Lorenzana and reiterated that he was being considered for the ambassadorial position.
“I told him that you should do it for your country,” Duterte said. “Tapos sabi niya, if you order me to accept the position, I will work there. Pero gusto ko lang malaman mo na matanda na ako, at saka mahirap ang buhay sa labas,” Duterte added.
Thus, Duterte said, Lorenzana will stay as Defense Secretary.
Lorenzana was considered for the ambassadorial position as he served as presidential representative and the Office of Veterans Affairs head of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. prior to his appointment at the DND.
“Ayaw niya eh, ayaw rin ni Gibo (Teodoro). Ibig sabihin, maghanap tayo ng iba,” the President said as he also disclosed that former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has again turned down the offer for him assume his former post. (Elena L. Aben)