Soldiers are for
wars, not polls

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

One can only wonder how Acting Defense Secretary and former National Security Adviser of the President, Norberto Gonzales, could have thought up the idea of making Philippine Army soldiers the security escorts of politicians and candidates in the May, 2010 elections.

Gonzales, who seems to remain a favorite or, at least a credible adviser to the President, was the one who proposed such plan to President Arroyo and, it is safe to assume that she must have heard him out, if not agreed outright to his plans. This is not the first time that he has come up with something outlandish, though.

Filipinos still remember how he had hinted that he was privy to some incidents involving the infamous ZTE-NBN broadband deal with an establishment in China . When called to the Senate where his earlier statements were to be probed, Gonzales had clammed up, and until now has kept his silence on what he knew about the controversial transaction.

Not a few of his countrymen, government officials among them, were surprised when, upon the resignation of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, it was Gonzales who was promptly named by the President to succeed him in an acting capacity. The Commission on Appointments, which is composed of members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, may not be too eager to confirm his appointment to such a sensitive posts, but the elections are nearing, and it is the presence of tractable and reliable – as far as the administration is concerned – people like Gonzales that could prove crucial to it.

That is why, even if the highest-ranking officers of the military themselves are objecting to the idea of having their men perform the alien role of security escorts for politicians and candidates, the likelihood is great that the palace will approve it. Leaders of other countries may raise their eyebrows over such a situation, but, as we have seen in past elections, soldiers, and especially generals, can be very helpful in assuring for those in power, a successful conclusion.

If we do not want this to happen, there is still time to air our vehement objections.*