Ex-DND OIC Faustino says he resigned after learning about new AFP chief 'only from news, social media'

Resigned Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. on Tuesday said he quit his post last week after learning "only from news and social media" that a new military chief has taken oath in Malacañang.

"With the utmost respect, I submitted my irrevocable letter of resignation to the President, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on Friday, January 6, 2023, after learning only from news and social media reports that an oath of office of the new Chief of Staff, AFP had taken place at Malacañang," Faustino said in a statement.

Marcos appointed General Andres Centino back as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing his previous appointee Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro, who was AFP chief for only about five months.

GMA News Online has reached to Malacañang for its comment on Faustino's statement, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

According to Faustino, he cannot allow the AFP's reputation to be "tarnished, maligned, or politicized" as he vowed to keep the military organization in high esteem. He did not elaborate.

"[The AFP] has undeniably proven its mettle over the decades. It is a highly disciplined and competent organization that will survive under any given circumstance," he said.

"Thus, fully cognizant of the selfless sacrifice and courage of our troops and civilian human resources, I cannot allow the AFP’s reputation to be tarnished, maligned, or politicized. I assure everyone that I will always hold the AFP in high esteem, which its men and women have painstakingly earned."

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has since been appointed to head DND following Faustino's resignation.

No mass resignation

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Faustino talked to Marcos after submitting his resignation and before the AFP turnover ceremony.

Andolong also clarified that there is no "mass resignation" in the DND. According to him, all coterminous appointees are required to file courtesy resignation after the change in leadership.

"Ngayon po na inanunsyo na po yung bagong kalihim po ng kagawaran ay automatic naman po na magsa-submit ng courtesy resignation lahat nung co-terminus na appointees," he said.

(Now that the new secretary of the department has been announced, all coterminous appointees automatically have to submit courtesy resignations.)

"Pero dun sa konteksto po na nag-mass resignation po, wala pong ganun [But in the context of mass resignation, there is no such thing]," he added. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News