News update Tell us what you need and we will give it,' Noynoy tells AFP

Ask and you shall receive.
This was what President Benigno Aquino III told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday during the change of command ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

As commander-in-chief, Aquino presided over the turnover of command to incoming AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David from Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who was designated acting AFP chief after the early retirement of Gen. Delfin Bangit.

"Tell us what you need and we will give it to you, as long as they are based on principles of professionalism and utilitarianism; as long as they will benefit the whole institution and not only the interests of a few," Aquino said.

The Philippines' defense budget is one of the lowest in Asia.

Aquino said he has already tasked new Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was Army chief during the Estrada administration, to ensure the immediate modernization of the AFP and ensure the expansion of troops' numbers.

"Makakaasa kayo na ang inyong mga pangangailangan ay tutuparin ng aking administrasyon (Rest assured that your needs will be met by my administration)," he said.

Aquino said he trusts that he would achieve his administration's plans for defense with the help of David, whom he said shares his views that the government's "national security objectives should be a multi-stakeholder effort focused on protecting our rights and civil liberties."

David hails from Pampanga but spent most of his early years in Tarlac, Aquino’s home province.

He was chief of the Northern Luzon Command before he was named AFP chief of staff. Professionalism expected

Aquino said he expects professionalism and dedication from the armed forces. Factions within the military had led to several alleged mutinies or coup attempts in the past administration.

"I expect of you professionalism, integrity, discipline, valor, and hard work. You can expect the same of me," said Aquino.

The administration of Aquino's mother, the late former president Corazon Aquino, faced several coup attempts.

Gazmin himself defended Mrs. Aquino from rebel soldiers as the then commander of the Presidential Security Group.

Aquino said he and Gazmin will set a good example by not using the promotion system to forward their own interests.

Aquino had earlier accused his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, of installing Bangit to the top AFP post because he was loyal to her.

"If all of us follow the rules, and insist on professionalism, integrity is enhanced," Aquino said in his speech.

Ending corruption

Aquino said he expects from David not just "decisive leadership" but also "an innovative spirit that would drive reform in the Armed Forces."

He reiterated his campaign promise that he would exhaust all efforts to curb corruption.

"As our country suffered, so have our soldiers, and the situation could only worsen unless priorities are met. Simple problems and deficiencies have compounded over the years due to corruption, which our administration has vowed to stop," he said.

The military has had its own share of corruption controversies.

In December 2003, a son of former AFP comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia was arrested by the US Customs at the San Francisco airport for failing to declare US$ 100,000.

A series of investigations ultimately led to the filing of plunder charges against Garcia.

In December 2005, the general court martial convicted Garcia of undeclared wealth, dishonorably dismissed him from the military and sentenced him to two years of hard labor. —RSJ/LBG/RJAB Jr./JV