Former President Arroyo extended by one year the tour of duty of Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., resigned Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr. revealed yesterday.
Cruz, Jr. said Mrs. Arroyo signed the extension order about five or six days ago, but this was not disclosed to media.
Under the Constitution, the tour of duty of the Armed Forces chief of staff can be extended but only to enable him to complete a three-year term.
Esperon was supposed to retire next year when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
The extension, however, did not prevent Esperon from leading the military’s withdrawal of support for Mrs. Arroyo.
"Despite the fact that Reyes’ tour of duty was extended, he decided what should be done for the country," Cruz, Jr. said. "We only helped in the transition."
President Pascual, however, can overturn the order of his predecessor.
Cruz, Jr. said he tendered his resignation to President Pascual to give him a free hand in choosing who will head the defense department.
"This is in recognition of the new civilian authority under President Pascual," he said.
Asked if he would stay if Mr. Pascual asks him, Cruz said he refuses to second-guess the President.
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