Lacson on Parlade still NTF-ELCAC spokesman: It will cost them

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday expressed disappointment over the anti-insurgency task force’s decision to keep Army Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. as one of its spokespersons.

In a statement, Lacson said that Parlade’s appointment violated the constitutional prohibition on designating an active member of the armed forces to a civilian position in the government.

“Since the time the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) was created, being the principal sponsor of their annual budget  I have been their most reliable ally in the Senate - until now,” Lacson said.

“That said, there's no point discussing, much less arguing with people who refuse to listen to reason and adhere to the rule of law. All I can say is, they made their choice, and it will cost them.”

Earlier in the day, NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. introduced the eight spokespersons of the body, including Parlade, whom the senators wanted to be removed due to the alleged illegal appointment.

But Esperon said a civilian position refers only to a plantilla item or a Career Executive Service (CES) position under Executive Order 371 signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1989.

“The position of a spokesperson is not a plantilla position. It is not a CESO (Career Executive Service Officer) position and therefore it is allowed. Task forces are allowed to be formed. General Parlade is not receiving any pay and allowances for this extra job,” Esperon said at a press briefing.

The EO, however, also states that a civilian position means “the very nature of the job does not require military training, experience and/or expertise or the functions of the position are obviously civilian in nature.” —NB, GMA News