Chavit to Become the National Security Adviser, Not a Remote Possibility?

When former senator  Ralph Recto was appointed NEDA chief, Prospero Pichay Jr. was placed as the Local Water Utilities Administration., and former senator Vicente Sotto III was given the chairmanship of the Dangerous Drugs Board nothing much was said against them except that it’s the president’s prerogative to reward cabinet positions as a political payback to losing senatorial candidates. But when Luis “Chavit” Singson was appointed as the Deputy National Security Adviser only, a lot of talks and criticisms were hurled against his appointment.

First his former friend, Erap (Joseph Estrada) said he lacks the necessary qualifications and experience to handle such a sensitive government post. To further stressed his point against  Chavit’s appointment, the former president belittled Singson’s experience and ability thus calling him a security risk—more of a liability than asset.

Politicians from various opposition groups asked, is there no body else’s more qualified and experienced to be appointed?

But Malacanang came to his rescue, no less than Secretary Eduardo Ermita who said that Chavit’s appointment was based on the merits of his qualification and experience as former governor of Ilocos Sur, chief of police of Vigan, and perhaps his being once a chairman of  a peace council in Region 1. To his credit, he was responsible to establishing peace in Ilocos Sur by disbanding the Saka-Saka, barefoot soldiers when he won as the governor of Ilocos Sur.

That’s why Speaker of the House Boy Nograles, called him “street smart,” has a lot of “experience on the ground” and a very strong leadership qualities.Being a highly respected individual by the political leaders in Mindanao, Chavit may be able to contribute something in the peace process in Mindanao. 

While the left leaning politicians gave him the “benefit of the doubt,” manong Johnny, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said “give him the chance.”

But as far as Chavit is concerned, those who criticized his appointment are only jealous.

“If they want the position, then it’s theirs. If they can help, the job is theirs. But if they will only add up to the troubles of our nation, then they should get out of the country,” Singson  added during his radio interview.

He also hit his former best friend statements against his appointment, he said this is no longer a movie which Erap thinks, this is a job. And since it is a job, he believes he can deliver. 

Bakit si Chavit lang ang nakikita? 

Oo nga, bakit si Chavit lang ang nakikita? Ano ba ang mayroon sa kanyang posisyon na Deputy Adviser for National Security na pinagiinitan ng kanyang mga kritiko? Sabi nga ni National Security Adviser, Norberto Gonzales na okay lang naman para sa kanya ang pag-appoint ni Pangulong Arroyo kay Singson bilang kanyang deputy adviser. Ni hindi nga niya naiisip na maari nitong (Chavit) palitan siya sa kanyang puwesto. Karapatan daw iyon ng pangulo at kanyang iginagalang. 

Sa makatuwid mga oposisyon lang nga yata ang masyadong maingay sa pagtatalaga kay  Chavit bilang Deputy Adviser for National Security. Dahil ba sa galit ang karamihan sa mga ito dahil mga supporters sila ni Erap? At hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin napapatawad si Chavit sa ginawang pagtataksil nito sa kanyang kaibigan? 

Isa pang nakapagtataka, bakit ang mga left-leaning opposition na pulitiko ay kalmado lang at ni hindi nagpahayag ng pagtutol sa  paghirang kay Chavit na Deputy Adviser for National Security. Ito ba ay may kaugnayan sa di umano’y pakikipagsabwatan nila noon sa dating gobernador upang patalsikin si Erap? Lumalalim yata ang takbo ng mga isyu. 

Sa isang banda, willing din daw naman ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front na bigyan ng pagkakataon ang dating gobernador na ipamalas ang kanyang kakayayahan sa peace process. Pero kahit pa hindi ito anti-moro, hindi raw magkakaroon ng major role si Chavit sa peace process dahil ang tinitignan ng grupo ay policy hindi personality. 

Over an above, ang lahat ng criticism laban sa paghirang ni Pangulong Arroyo ay masusi daw niyang tinitignan. Ehm, at least pinakikinggang ang lahat ng mga sinasabi ng kritiko, pero pagkatapos ano ang mangyayari? Babawiin niya ang kayang appointment kaya, at huwag naman sana, baka gawin na lang niyang National Adviser on National Security at ililipat naman si Ka Norberto sa ibang puwesto? Hindi malayong mangyayari iyan sa ikinikilos ng pangulo ngayon. At saka, mahalaga pa rin si Chavit para sa 2010 election, that’s why. 

Okay ngaurud, abangan na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata.