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Bangit is next AFP chief

Photo from Malaya
Photo from Malaya
Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit will be the next Armed Forces chief of staff to succeed Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado who is retiring on Wednesday, March 10.

Bangit, the current Philippine Army chief, is a known Arroyo loyalist having been been head of the Presidential Security Group under GMA. He also had a stint as chief of the Intelligence Service.

He belongs to Class ’78 of the Philippine Military Academy, which adopted Arroyo. Class ’78 is considered the “favored” PMA class under Arroyo with a number of them in strategic positions.

Earlier, there were calls to extend until after the May 2010 elections the term of Ibrado, who is highly regarded for his professionalism unlike former AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon whose name was mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes which revealed the participation of the military in tampering the results of the 2004 elections in favor of Arroyo.

In a statement, Bangit said, “”I am very thankful with the decision of the commander-in-chief. More than it is an honor for me, I would like to assure the people that I will do my very best to serve the interest of this nation and the Filipino people.”


The Magdalo, a group of reformist military officers lead by detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, issued a statement through its spokesman Ashley Acedillo: “The decision appointing Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit as AFP chief of staff notwithstanding, the Magdalo group is hopeful that the coming elections will be an opportunity not only for him but for the entire armed forces, to help ensure for the Filipino people, a truly peaceful and credible elections.

“Everyone is aware of the issues previously raised prior to his appointment by Gloria Arroyo. Nevertheless, we are praying that the new chief of staff appreciates that the coming national and local elections, and the major role of our soldiers, sailors, and airmen in securing our voters the votes they cast, will be a lasting legacy for him and the entire AFP.”

Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno Aquino III said the “appointment is wrong.”

He said, “So many groups are disappointed that the neutrality of the AFP in the coming elections is severely at risk with someone as fiercely loyal to the President as LtGen. Delfin Bangit now at the helm of the AFP.

“This move is another worrying display of Mrs. Arroyo’s self-interest over national interest.

“One could only hope that General Bangit will rise beyond utang na loob and perform his Constitutional duty to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral exercise in May.”

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar acknowledged that it was Ms Arroyo’s prerogative to appoint the AFP chief of staff even in the waning days of her presidency.

“I really don’t know [Bangit] that well. But I understand that in our system of government, it’s the President that makes the appointment, and I understand that that is consistent with our laws,” Villar said in Filipino at a press conference in Davao City.

“So how can we [oppose Bangit’s appointment]? We can’t assume that it’s not proper [on the mere assumption] that he will create chaos,” Villar said.

He said he had his “personal choices” for the post, but did not name them.

“I always sleep soundly regardless of whoever is the AFP chief of staff,” he said.

Villar also said what was crucial for the nation was for the AFP chief of staff and all citizens to “safeguard the institutions of democracy at all times.”

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said, “We challenge the new AFP Chief of Staff to prove his loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law and not to the appointing power.

“He should bear in mind that his appointment comes at a time when there is a great deal of anxiety over allegations that this administration has no intention of stepping down after June 30, 2010. All eyes are on him and we expect him as a professional soldier not to allow the AFP to be a tool to prop up a very unpopular administration through unconstitutional and illegal means.”

Published inMilitary

52 Comments

  1. henry90 henry90

    The long foretold appointment of Bangit was never in doubt. He will now have to prove his critics wrong or confirm their worst nightmare. Ah, the long running teleserye of the EK never fails to amaze me.

  2. bayong bayong

    as exepected, me magagawa ba tayo, pakapalan lang ng mukha yan.

  3. ocayvalle ocayvalle

    goodbye philipines…
    GOD bles the filipino people
    in this hour of darknest..
    i wish and pray that the
    filipino people will wake up and be vigilant..
    not to wake up one day that
    the president after jun 30 2010 is
    still GMA…

  4. perl perl

    Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno Aquino III said the “appointment is wrong.” Yan ang astig! Palaban!

  5. rose rose

    Sa tawa niyang pinakita sa picture sa itaas..maniniwala ba kayo na he will protect the constitution? aywan ko sa inyo pero ako wala na akong tiwala sa mga appointees ni putot..at in her last days as panggulo she will do everything in her power to stay and collect the utang na loob her appointees received..paniwala pa ako kung sabihin ninyo na pumuti na ang uwak pero pumuti na ang gilagid ni putot? ma an tana ka ninyo!

  6. rose rose

    ang tawa niya ay tawa ng pusa na nakakain ng canary!

  7. So, the shithead finally made it eh?

  8. Tedanz Tedanz

    Kayo na ang maging Pangulo(peke nga lang ito)a. Alanganin namang maga-appoint siya ng hindi niya aso. Ang susunod ay yong pag-appoint ng CJ …. siyempre yong kakampi niya. Paktay loko … pinoy talo. lol
    Abangan na lang natin na i-implement na nila yong kanilang malaking plano …. Lord iligtas mo po sa kapahamakan ang aming Bansa sa mga demonyong ito ….

  9. I knew him and his reputation for being an ass licker to members of Class 72 all the way through!

  10. MPRivera MPRivera

    Wala na. Lalong nabaon sa burak ng kawalang pag-asa ang Pilipinas sa huling kawalanghiyaan ni goyang.

    Kung ano’ng inutil ni Esperon noong siya ang CSAFP ay ganyan din ang labas nitong si Bangit.

    Sayang na pagkakataon ang pinakawalan ni Gen Ibrado kapalit ng kanyang milyon milyong retirement benefits at siyempre, isang sorpresang government post bilang birthday gift mula sa bruha.

    We see now the young idealistic soldiers of yesterday who became coward puppet generals of the plundering powers today.

  11. Tedanz Tedanz

    Kaya pala ganun ang bibig niya …… ass lickerrrrrrrrrrrr pala siya.

  12. jawo jawo

    Is the picture of Gen DELFIN PANGIT (este, Bangit pala) a recent one ? If it is, then he is only a “Major-General” and not a LIeutenant-General. Lt. Gens. have three stars.

  13. jawo jawo

    As I look at the face of Maj.-Gen. Delfin Pangit in the picture, I see no traces of a once idealistic and in-corruptible cadet-graduate of the once-prestigious PMA. Even in his pictures, I could almost smell the foul stench of his mouth for licking gloria’s fucking ass. I could only see a corrupt military man ready to kill at a fake president’s whim and NOT to protect the state and the constitution he swore allegiance to.

    Funny thing about him and the rest of the bad-breath generals (Esperon, Reyes, Ebdane, et al) is that I, for one, never heard of any real (military) career accomplishments they did to earn such stars aside from gargling like Listerine that foul-smelling nectar they get from licking gloria’s ass. Ganyan na ba talaga ang military ngayon ? After hapless Juan de la Cruz spent for your studies in an elite military school, you turn your backs against the very people who shed blood, sweat, and tears for you and embraced instead a despot for your own financial gains.

    Shame on you !!! Because of you, you have undermined the tenets of the tru-blue PMA’ers which is the holy grail of that once prestigious institution. And if that is not bad enough, people look at you in disdain and cannot distinguish anymore between the ordinary honest foot soldier and the true enemies of the state.

    With people like you and your patroness at the helm of power, who needs enemies ?

  14. It’s an old photo. Taken I think two years ago in Camp Capinpin.

  15. Rudolfo Rudolfo

    May, many ” souls rest in peace “, especially the soul-spirit
    of the ” Philippine Constitution “, mabubura na !…itinulak na sa Bangit ( banginnnttt )…kawawang mga pmayers ’76-’77 di kasi nagpatuta yata, sila…no big deals …. Let us still wish, HOPE for a Change, baka si “bangit”-bangin ang huling barahang alas for a change and the HERO of the TIME !!!…malay natin..may mga taong suma-sakay lamang, ngunit, ang puso’t diwa ay sa bayan pa din, ki Juan de La Cruz..Diyos
    at sila lamang ang naka-aalam ng mga sekritong ” blue prints ” of the future….Magdasal na lang tayo at maging vigilantes, bantay sa ano mang mangyari sa May-2010 election !!.. Ito kaya ay Huling Halak-hak !!!ha !..ha !..
    ha !…amen..

  16. Kapag nababanggit ang pangalan ni Bangit, nare-recall ko ang mga eksena noong kasagsagan ang kontrobersiya dulot ng Hello Garci tapes. Isa si Bangit na pinagtuunan ng pansin dahil sa kanyang papel na diumano ay ginampanan. Sa isang video footage, he vehemently denied his involvement in the wire-tapping in the wake of Sgt. Doble’s revelation that it’s under Bangit’s command.

  17. rose rose

    with appointments like this and the soon to be for the Chief Justice? our last resort against it are our prayers..and our song is que sera sera..Lord have mercy! incidentally the Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday..ulanin natin ang langit sa ating mga dasal..

  18. rose rose

    sa Holy week pala hindi ba may mga nagpapako sa cruz sa Pampanga? hindi ba magpapako si putot?

  19. florry florry

    Gen. Bangit is the most loyal and trusted Gloria general. He has been tried and tested and he is pure as gold. He has his own agenda, of course for the interest of his commander and will not bite the challenge of Kiko and will just say “Noted” just as Mr Noted Cuneta did when challenged by the opposition about the veracity of the 2004 election returns.

    Kiko “Noted” Cuneta may have assumed that his “noted” role has been forgotten and now he is having a grand time declaring his new found righteousness, as if he was not one of the authors of Gloria’s stolen presidency. He should realize that as long as Gloria is around his “noted” role will always be in the minds of the people. Ngayon daldal ng daldal, pero noon pukpok siya ng pukpok sa kaniyang “martilyo” at isinisigaw ang “Noted”.

    This guy has no sense of decency and even a bit of shame.

  20. bobong bobong

    What an arrogant little girl the FAKE President is!

    She has known for the fact the call of many sectors for the extension of the tenure of CSAFP Ibrado because of his professionalism. But did she hear the call? No way! Because by doing so, the Fake President anticipated that she would appear to have caved in to the pressure. She would appear to be a weak president, in her own view.

    We have no faith to Gen. Bangit. Just like Gen. Esperon, he also has no balls. He will kowtow to the whims of the Fake and Dwarf President.

    Mag-ingat tayong lahat dahil nailagay na ni Pandak ang heneral na walang bayag as CSAFP.

  21. jawo jawo

    sa Holy week pala hindi ba may mga nagpapako sa cruz sa Pampanga? hindi ba magpapako si putot? —-rose – March 9, 2010 8:55 am

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Magpapa-pako daw pero sa isang kundisyon. Gusto niyang malibing doon sa pinag-libingan kay LAZARUS. Ano siya, bakle ? Papaano kung mabuhay siya ulit ? Eh ‘di naloko na !

  22. Manooong_please Manooong_please

    Hello all!

    Just want to share a short anecdote with the new CSAFP many years back when he was still an unknown Major Delfin Bangit (this was years before he invited GMA to join PMA Class ’78 as honorary member)…

    Me: “Sir, sana naman ma-require ninyo yung mga end-users natin to fill up on time yung details para up-to-date ang database natin.”

    Major Bangit: “Pasensya ka na, iho. (Habang nagkakamot ng ulo while speaking in a soft voice) Kahit anong reminders at pakiusap ko kasi, ayaw nila talagang mag-comply, eh. Ganito yata talaga pag hindi tayo kilala. Pasensya na lang, ha? Ayaw akong pansinin, eh.”

    Years later, he stumbled upon GMA
    …and the rest is history.

    Ngayon, umutot lang si CSAFP Bangit, lahat ng miron sa paligid niya, naguunahan pang suminghot nito. Nakangiti pa.

    Ang buhay nga naman…

  23. “One could only hope that General Bangit will rise beyond utang na loob and perform his Constitutional duty to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral exercise in May.” — Aquino

    Is that Bangit’s Constitutional duty? To ensure a peaceful and fair election exercise? A bit of an overstatement. Realistically, won’t do the elections good to give this jerk so much importance. Why put it in his head that the election of a president rests on his narrow shoulders? At best, he is only a police dog for the ferrying of whatever ballots need to be ferried (so that the boxes don’t fall in the sea or something idiotic like that) or the ferrying of machines from point A to point B.

    Bangit could very well say: “Show me the provision in the Constitution that says it is MY Constitutional duty to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral exercise, blah blah blah…”

  24. Becky Becky

    I have a feeling that Noynoy just read whatever is handed to him. I even doubt if he reads his own press statement.

    His statement on AFP Chief Bangit shows that he doesn’t know what the presidency is. I don’t know Gen.Bangit but who is Aquino to say that the “appointment is wrong”. And who would be the “right” appointment?

    On ANC tonight, UP Professor Clarita Carlos said it’s the prerogative of the president to appoint an AFP chief of staff whom she is comfortable with.

    I do not like Gloria Arroyo but as long as she exercise her appointment power legally, she has the prerogative to decide who is best for the job.

  25. MPRivera MPRivera

    Huwag ng pagtalunan kung ano constitutional duties ni Gen Dangit dahil his loyalty only resides within the underwear of the goyang.

    Look at his face, his all out smile, parang nakaamoy ng binagoongang kuwan.

    ‘Yun bang parang bulugang kambing o bakang katatapos la’ang umamoy sa kaiihing kuwan ng inahin.

  26. Becky Becky

    More on Noynoy just reading what is handed to him:

    Look at what happened when he spoke before the Makati Business Club. He said he will not raise taxes. Applause, applause those who are walking up in the cloud.

    After a few weeks, Noynoy says because of the government’s huge deficit, the next president would have to raise taxes. Ano ba, nakalimutan mo ba ang binasa mo a few weeks ago?

    Same thing with the RH (Reproductive Health) bill. At first he said he was against it. Applause. Appaluse. Akala ng mga adoring fans niya, tapang-tapang ni Noynoy, kaya nya to take on with the Catholic church.

    Now, he is not for the RH bill.Ano ba talaga, Noy?

  27. “I think Gen. Bangit is well qualified for the position. He advocates credible, honest, and orderly elections,” Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena said.

    Kaya pala binigyan nila si Garci ng puting cellphone, para mamonitor yung pagiging honest ni Garci…kay Gloria!

  28. From the Inquirer:

    Arroyo’s prerogative

    Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar acknowledged that it was Ms Arroyo’s prerogative to appoint the AFP chief of staff even in the waning days of her presidency.

    “I really don’t know [Bangit] that well. But I understand that in our system of government, it’s the President that makes the appointment, and I understand that that is consistent with our laws,” Villar said in Filipino at a press conference in Davao City.

    “So how can we [oppose Bangit’s appointment]? We can’t assume that it’s not proper [on the mere assumption] that he will create chaos,” Villar said.

    He said he had his “personal choices” for the post, but did not name them.

    “I always sleep soundly regardless of whoever is the AFP chief of staff,” he said.

    Villar also said what was crucial for the nation was for the AFP chief of staff and all citizens to “safeguard the institutions of democracy at all times.”

  29. Idiot naman itong si Villar…

    Doesn’t he know that “…can we [oppose Bangit’s appointment]?” through the people’s representatives in Congress by blocking his confirmation?

    Engot!

  30. Siguro ang choice niya for CSAFP is the clasmate of Bangit: Boygee Pangilinan?

  31. MPRivera MPRivera

    “…….I always sleep soundly regardless of whoever is the AFP chief of staff,” he said..”

    Bugok pala itong si Villar, eh.

    Siyempre namang makakatulog siya nang mahimbing dahil palagi siyang busog sa masasarap na pagkain. Sagana sa mga bagay na hindi kailanman matitikman ng mga nagsasalat sa buhay.

    Lintek na katwiran ‘yan. Parang nakakaloko pa’ng sa tono niya ay kinukutya ‘yung mga taong katulad ko ay masuwerte nang kumain ng dalawang beses isang araw at maghahanap pa ng para sa kinabukasan.

    Mahirap paniwalaan talaga na galing nga sa hirap itong nagkukunwaring dating mahirap.

    ‘Yan ba ang magiging presidente ng Pilipinas?

  32. MPRivera MPRivera

    Anna,

    ‘Yang dalawang ‘yan, sina Dangit at Panghilinan ay parang pangarang ginagamit ng mga mandaraya sa cara y cruz. Katulad ni gloria, kahit anong hagis ang gawin niya sa kanyang pangara ay tabla lang ang talo dahil nga kahit anong bagsak ay cara ang isa.

    Pero ‘yang dalawang ‘yan ay nagiging magkahawig habang lumalaon. May pagkakatulad na rin ang bawat isa. Parehong parang tinutubuan na ng buntot at sungay.

    May pakiramdam ako, pag-upo ni Dangit, si Panghilinan naman ang magiging CG, PA.

  33. Magno,

    May pakiramdam ako, pag-upo ni Dangit, si Panghilinan naman ang magiging CG, PA.

    Ayayayayayay! If that happens, expect Philippine Corruption Army.

  34. Militics will be the order of the day. But to give crdit where credit is due, if Boygee becomes CGPA, he will transform PA into a professional first year high school ROTC ground.

  35. Former CSAFP Gen Biazon said this of Bangit’s appointment:

    “It maybe unfair for everyone to judge the future performance of Gen. Bangit. But he has yet to prove his professionalism.

    Which means Pangit has not been professional as a soldier!

  36. Perhaps, as a bodyguard to Gloria, Pagit was professional but as a soldier? General Biazon certainly has reservations.

  37. MPRivera MPRivera

    Parang merong alam si Sen Biazon sa naging takbo ng military career ni Gen Sidekick Emperor Dangit, ah?

    Teka, saan saan kaya niya napulot ‘yung kanyang mga awards?

    Sen Biazon was CS, AFP during the Cory administratio when Dangit, a mistah of Panghilinan was a captain.

    Hmmmm. May alam nga si Sen Pong.

    Anna, PMT o CAT kung high school. ROTC/CMT college na ‘yun.

    But I doubt kung ano ang kalalabasan ng Army under the kumpas of Panghilinan. Baka nga maging cab scout camping ground lang, eh.

  38. MPRivera MPRivera

    Bangit, however, defended the President as he pointed out that he never received any illegal order from the Commander-in-Chief.

    “The reason I have so much respect for President Arroyo is because after all these years, never have I received illegal orders from her.

    http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100311hed3.html

    If ever, ngayon pa lang. Uli.

    Baka akala mo Dangit, nakalimutan na namin ‘yung nangyari noong 2004?

  39. henry90 henry90

    Magno:

    Tindi rin magsinungaling ang mga ito no? Nakakasuka!

  40. “The reason I have so much respect for President Arroyo is because after all these years, never have I received illegal orders from her.”

    OBVIOUS BA? Napakatanga mo namang CS kung aaminin mo ngayong tumanggap ka ng order, Legal man o Illegal, galing kay Gloria samantalang hindi naman siya ang immediate superior mo. May mga jumper ba yang chain of command mo?

    Pakiramdam ko nga na-blackmail ninyo si Gloria sa Hello Garci Tapes. Kundi ba naman, ordinaryong operatiba lang, minomonitor ang private calls ng isang pangulo. Ngayon hawak na ninyo siya sa leeg dahil sa isang iglap puwede kayong bumaliktad at tumestigo laban sa kanya.

  41. diagonally pala… (then put your own caption)

  42. Anna, PMT o CAT kung high school. ROTC/CMT college na ‘yun.

    Ah ganoon ba Magno? Di ko alam yang PMT ah kaya promote ko na siya sa ROTC…:-)

  43. MPRivera MPRivera

    You will notice that Bangit has a smirk on his face while staring directly at the camera! Tee hee – Anna.

    It’s not a smirk I can see on Dangit’s face but a shameless gaze at anyone he knew were against his promotion as if saying “You cannot stop my appointment as CSAFP. Kampi ko ‘ata si Ma’am.”

    Lintek na ‘yan! CSAFP na nga, camera conscious pa?

    Takaw atensiyon din ‘yang Dangit na ‘yan at pupusta akong wala siyang gagawin kundi magyabang lamang at ipagtanggol si gloria sa harap ng press.

  44. MPRivera MPRivera

    I believe our generals are living up to their conviction of being not partisan this coming May election.

    What I just wonder is how much is their “partihan”?

  45. This is nothing, peanuts, really…wait til Villar becomes president, then we’ll start vomitting on a daily basis…

  46. mario mario

    Becky, Noynoy is just being dictated by people around him. If he becomes President, Malacanang will be run by the Civil Society, Yellow Brigade, family members especially Kris. Watch out for Peping Cojuangco too.

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