Impressed with the honesty and perseverance of soldiers, President Duterte is inclined to appoint more military men to his government.
The President admitted that he was fond of military men since they get the job done without corruption, as he expressed dismay with the slow process in the bureaucracy.
“I have a special fondness for the military for being fundamentally honest at industrious,” he said during his visit to a military camp in Jolo, Sulu Tuesday.
“As you would see, ‘yung unang – the next few officials coming in would be military guys. The very best and the very brightest of you na tumulong sa akin magpadala ng bayan natin,” he added.
Duterte said he has endured many failures in working with the bureaucracy, citing instances of corruption and inefficiency. “I have met several failures pati hindi mo mautusan nang matino. Puro corruption,” he said.
Duterte, who has appointed several former military officers in his administration, admitted that he need help to run the country effectively. (Genalyn Kabiling)
“Hindi ko man kaya kung ako lang mag-isa. There are so many things to do and I function through Cabinet members,” he said.
The commander-in-chief acknowledged that most of his Cabinet members are now “military guys.” But he dispelled speculations that he was trying to be closer to the military to win their support.
“It’s not because I am up to something,” he said about his preference for military appointees in government.
“Hindi ako sabihin na pinapalakas ko ang sarili ko sa military because I do not need that. The people elected me,” he said.
Among the former military officers recently appointed to the Duterte Cabinet are Presidential political adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista. Galvez was a former Armed Forces chief while Bautista previously served as Army chief. (Genalyn Kabiling)