Transcript of Extemporaneous Speech

 

HONORABLE GILBERTO C. TEODORO, JR.

Secretary of National Defense

 

Turnover Ceremony

Bulwagang Tejeros, AFPCOC, CGEA

August 8, 2007, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, a pleasant morning to all of you. 

 

First and foremost, I’d like to thank Her Excellency, the President for putting in me her trust and confidence in steering the Department of National Defense, knowing the vital job plays in preserving the security of the Republic of the Philippines.  Because of such trust, I pledge that I shall do the duties to the best of my abilities and with your help, I’m sure I shall not fail.

 

Furthermore, I made some notes.  This is my first speech.  I’m expected to come in from the cold.  I made some notes as to preliminaries as to what I intend to do.  In terms of the armed forces, the President has already stated her total commitment.  Managerially, first, to the implementation of the Philippine Defense Reform Program, because not merely in capability upgrade or in equipment, making it a fighting force.  We also have to introduce the systems, whereby we can come up with doctrines support systems and more importantly, a system for decision-making, which will be rational, strategy-based and able to adopt to the exigencies of the times.  As I have been reading the background material, I know it is a difficult program, because it needs a change in systems and in culture.  However, just like stopping smoking, it is only painful at the start.

 

Secondly, we’d all like to see the armed forces evolve into a truly capable fighting force.  The most perhaps that I can do is to plant the seeds to try to make it happen to see to it that it is able to protect and defend territorial integrity and security of the Republic and the environment, which is very, very important not to us, but to our children and their children.

 

I’d also like to involve my time – and as Secretary Ermita has told me – almost fifty percent of the time of the Secretary will be devoted to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) -related matters.    We’ll work closely with the NDCC to see to it that not only the coordinative aspect in national disasters are addressed, but to help the local government units, which have primary responsibility in disaster response, build up their capabilities.  Of course, we shall also involve in the process as stakeholders all those who may have expertise in the subject. 

 

I intend to fully utilize, if I may, the services of the academe to advise me on policy matters, particularly the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).  It is a wealth of talent and information and I intend to utilize their expertise and talents in policy decision-making.

 

Fourthly, in terms of the Government Arsenal (GA).  I remember the time when we were producing quality firearms and ammunition.  I do not promise anything that shall happen although I shall try my best to try to find how we can upgrade our capabilities of producing our own quality ammunition and firearms. 

 

Lastly, the problem as with any retirement or pension funds with respect to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).  It is an endemic problem, because we have an aging population.  It is ironical that we should be happy that old people live longer, however, to pension managers, this is a bit of a problem.  We shall study the matter fully and we shall see to it how we can better discharge our mandate to provide for our soldiers’ morale and those of the retirees, which is one important leg of the functions of the Department of National Defense.

 

On current issues affecting the Department, I support the policy of my predecessor in the Government that shall execute it to the best of our abilities, to be uncompromising against all those who may seek to disobey the law, more particularly terroristic elements and bandits.  We should – consistent with our sworn duty to protect each and every citizen and all those who sojourn in Philippine territory – to the best of our abilities, go after them vigorously.  All these consistent, not merely with the law, but more importantly, with the rule of law.  As an officer of the court, I had sworn, whether or not I’m in this position, to uphold and obey the laws of the land – not merely as a public officer, but as a lawyer – and in this, my sworn duty shall come in into each and every official act I have to do or to recommend to the President.  And the law not merely has protection, but it provides for the mechanisms and provides for the obligation of the state to ensure to the best of its ability that each and every one of us is safe in our homes.  Our children and our future can be made to grow devoid of anyone who wants to put a bar to that.

 

I wish to thank all of you for giving me perhaps such a wonderful welcome.  All the expressions of support from each and every agency and bureau of the Department.  With your help, would be a pool of talent, intelligence and dedication as I see in each and every one of you.  I’m sure I shall not fail.

 

I wish also to pay special thanks to my family.  My parents, who gave me education and gave me a good life and more importantly a good name. 

 

More specifically, I would like to thank my wife and my son for the constant sacrifices they had made in my career, which has not been easy.  As a matter of fact, it didn’t stop.  I thought I would have a break already after my term ended, yet, because of the unanimous petition of all the local officials of the province of Tarlac, my wife had to run for office.  Now, our son, perhaps, will have a lifestyle change with both of us being in public office, but I’m sure it will teach him a valuable lesson in how to serve his country properly.

 

Finally, I count on the support of each and every one of us.  We should work as a team – all departments of government, all citizens of the Philippines – to make sure that we have a better Philippines for the future under the programs and policies of Her Excellency the President.

 Thank you very much.

  

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