NEW CHIEF. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (in white polo barong) meets with officials and employees of the defense department in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (Jan. 10, 2023). Galvez called on officials and employees to stay united in performing the agency's mandate. (Photo courtesy of DND)
MANILA – Newly appointed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. called on the agency’s officials to rally behind President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for unity and keep the "One Defense" team intact.
Galvez made the call during a transition briefing at the DND main office in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.
“We will sustain the gains of the past Secretaries and will also further enhance the capability of our national defense,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
He also emphasized the importance of employee morale in the DND and professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in maintaining the trust and confidence of the Filipino people.
During the briefing, Galvez was presented with a formal report highlighting the department's plans, as well as the 10-point agenda initiated by outgoing officer-in-charge (OIC) Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr.
Galvez also met with senior officials and heads of bureaus and held a discussion with members of the Executive Committee.
The new DND chief also met with Faustino before attending the transition briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Faustino briefed Galvez on the different accomplishments of the department, along with his recommendations to ensure continuity in the agency.
The DND-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are set to hold a New Year’s call on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a command conference set on Thursday will be presided over by Galvez and AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino.
Marcos on Monday named Galvez as the new DND chief after he accepted Faustino's resignation as OIC.
On Tuesday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said "seven to nine" officials of the agency have tendered their courtesy resignation after Faustino stepped down as OIC.
He, however, said this is part of the normal procedure amid a change in the agency's leadership. (PNA)
