
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Monday denied reports that he may soon step down as the chief of the defense department to give way to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who is retiring on July 20.
“I have no plans of resigning,” Gazmin said.
“My service depends on President (Aquino). If he wants me to continue, then I will continue. If he wants me to resign, then I will resign. I’m thankful I was given a chance to return to public service,” he said.
Gazmin, 69, said he can still perform physically to fulfill his duties for the Department of Defense (DND).
“I’m actually stronger than other people my age.”
Gazmin served as chief of the Presidential Security Group during the presidency of the late President Corazon Aquino.