MANILA, Philippines - Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus of the party-list group Gabriela have filed a bill banning active and retired military and police officers from being appointed to sensitive government positions.
In filing Bill 4566, the two said the militarization of the bureaucracy began when the late President Ferdinand Marcos appointed military men to civilian positions.
Succeeding administrations continue with the practice to ensure the loyalty of the military, they said.
The bill seeks to prohibit all retired and active military and police officers and lower-level personnel from being appointed as secretary, undersecretary, and head or member of governing bodies of government-owned and controlled corporations.
However, the measure does not ban active or retired personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police officers from running for any elective position.
Ilagan cited a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report that at least 20 military officers have been assigned to the Department of National Defense (DND).
She said 26 more retired and active duty military officers have been seconded to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) since Marcos fell from power in 1986.
“At least 37 military officers were appointed in some GOCCs as well as in special economic zones under the Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo administrations,” she said.
De Jesus said the Aquino government has already appointed at least seven former and active military or police personnel to different posts and agencies in the government.
“Military men are trained under a discipline that is necessary in a war situation. Military and police personnel including officers bring their military training, culture and practices even after they have been appointed to civilian positions,” she said.
“The practice of appointing military and police officials to sensitive positions in government contradicts the provision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military,” she stressed.
She pointed out that the police organization, which is supposed to be civilian in character, has also been militarized since many of its leading officers come from the Philippine Military Academy.
By Jess Diaz, The Philippine Star
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