Raised eyebrows are greeting news about a retired admiral, more precisely a former chief of Armed Forces military intelligence service, being pressed into government service anew.
Nothing basically wrong there, some would probably say.
Filipino military men are well educated and are known to have good management skills, coupled with their sworn obeisance to the appointing authority.
But wait.
The person in question is one retired admiral Tirso Danga.
Name sounds familiar?
Well, the 2-star officer (who upon retirement was promoted to 3-star rank as is customary) is taking over the helm of the sensitive National Printing or NPO.
This is the same office that prints all accountable government forms including the OFFICIAL BALLOT AND THE OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS FORM.
Yes, those sacred documents are used in all elections.
Mr. Danga’s name last shot to prominence when ISAFP’s name was dragged into infamous ‘Hello Garci Scandal’ a.k.a the wiretapped telephone conversations COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano had with a lady widely thought to be Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
To this day it remains unclear who or what entity leaked those tapes.
Mrs. Arroyo has never admitted it was her voice on those recordings.
But she did say “I am sorry” for calling an elections official to inquire about the progress of the vote count in the 2004 presidential elections.
You go figure.
(Updated with minor corrections 4:19 p.m., Sunday Jan. 25, 2009)
Popularity: 1% [?]
Well, the 2-star officer (who upon retirement was promoted to 3-star rank as is customary) is
The one rank promotion is only for pension purposes(if I am not mistaken).
you retain your rank when you retire.
Yun lang po.
Ding,
If you believe the words, then obviously such is your opinion of Philippine military men.
Now if you suggest that all Filipinos believe it, I just want you to know that I know of PMA graduates (and their children) who will take offense at the smear when you say …
Filipino military men …are known to have… sworn obeisance to the appointing authority.
upn,
You interpret a slur where none is really intended. Study your history. The premise is drawn from the reality that the presumed Commander-in-Office is conducted government with the equally assumed fealty to the Constitution.
Tell me do you choose to be blind to how society is ‘misgoverned’ and how government instrumentalities are being militarized?
By and large Peemayers like the Mr.Ramon Farolan are gems.
The plot thickens!
Ding,
I just like to express my gratitude to the military people, especially the officers corps led by the PMAyers.
If not for them, then chaos have long reigned in this country.
Do you prefer FPJ as president? Better the military dipping its hand in the election process.
Thanks to honorable Gens Esperon and others who never let an FPJ victory.
Long live the military for ensuring the reign of GMA.
(especially when one’s writing makes mention of persons or groups of people) Be mindful to how you put thoughts to words because it does happen — people interpret things differently from what you had intended to communicate.
If above is not a saying between journalists or ex-journalists or bloggers, my personal opinion is that it should.
Who cares who’s Lord of NPO if GMA is destined to be Prime Minister or New President, or whichever is her preference.
Kantero,
Your tongue-in-cheek post is pleasantly cheeky. :)
upn,
Your “…Be mindful to how you put thoughts to words because it does happen — people interpret things differently from what you had intended to communicate.”
No matter how you or any writer nuances his piece people will always read into it.
If you remain unclear about my post’s intent let me spell it out to you: Our recent history is peppered with occasions when military officers became willing tools of political malcontents.
It’s unfortunate that you are oblivious of this.
Now as far as the men of honor in the military are concerned, they also know what some of their mistahs and comrades have done in the recent past.
We all have to be forewarned,nay, vigilant against what the changing of the guards at the NPO could spell for the 2010 elections.
This I am sure you can understand.
See you at Starbucks :0
Ding wrote : Filipino military men …are known to have… sworn obeisance to the appointing authority.
Ding retracts. Pinas blogworld moves on towards 2010.
The military is a breeding ground for eunuchs.
The Peemayers, with due respect to a late brother, are who brought us where we are today.
The likes of Gringo and his class, the likes of Trillanes and his class – the ‘adventurists’ that they are, made us beneficiaries of their (mis)adventures.
Now, they are millionaires while us – we still rot in hell.
upn,
You my spokesman? Mag-aral ka pa bok.