MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday appointed a loyal general as the next head of the country's military forces stoking fears among her critics that the appointment may pave the way for cheating in the May 10 elections.

Arroyo, who is also commander-in-chief of the 120,000-member military forces under the constitution, named Lieutenant-General Delfin Bangit as armed forces chief of staff, two days ahead of the retirement of the current chief General Victor Ibrado.

Ibrado will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on March 10, the same day that the election ban on presidential appointments starts.

More than 50 million Filipinos will elect a president, a vice president, nearly 300 lawmakers in the two houses of Congress and more than 17,500 local positions on May 10.

There are concerns the ballot may fail to produce a clear and credible winner due to election violence, intimidation or possible problems with a new automated voting system that is being tried for the first time.

Arroyo is no longer eligible for another term as president and is expected to step down on June 30.

Various sectors and legislators earlier urged Mrs. Arroyo to extend Ibrado’s term, saying it would ensure the smooth conduct of the May elections, and give the new president a free hand in choosing the next AFP chief.

They also questioned the move to appoint Bangit as AFP chief since he is perceived to be close to Mrs. Arroyo.

Bangit's track record

Bangit was the chief of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief from 2003-2007, a period when various groups in the military launched destabilization moves against the Arroyo administration.

These include the Magdalo group of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, and the groups of detained Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda.

Bangit is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978, which has President Arroyo as an honorary member. He was also military aide of Mrs. Arroyo when she was still the vice president under the Estrada administration.

Three military generals, including former military chief Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., were implicated in the controversial "Hello Garci" election scandal. They allegedly helped rig the 2004 presidential elections to ensure the victory of President Arroyo.

The Garci tapes, a compilation of wiretapped conversations allegedly between President Arroyo and then elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, provided evidence that the results of the 2004 elections were manipulated to favor Mrs. Arroyo.

Bangit vows to serve well

Bangit thanked the President for appointing him chief of the country's armed forces. 

"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. Just like what I did when I assumed command of the Philippine Army, I assure every member of the organization that I will be a very, very good commander to them," he said.

He added that he will announce his plans and undertaking when he assumes his new post.

In an interview after the testimonial parade in review by the Philippine Army on Monday for outgoing AFP chief Ibrado, Bangit vowed to serve the armed forces “very, very well.”

He also belied fears of a military takeover should elections fail on May 10.

“Di ko kasi maintindihan how come a military takeover will happen. I think the primary responsibility of the Armed Forces is to defend the Constitution. We will just do that,” said Bangit.

In an ambush interview on Monday, Mrs. Arroyo said turnover ceremonies for the new military chief will be held either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Critics slam appointment

Arroyo's appointment of Bangit immediately drew criticism from her political opponents and critics.

Leading presidential candidate and Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III said the appointment puts the integrity of the May 10 polls at risk.

“This appointment is wrong. 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 Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit now at the helm of the AFP,” said Aquino. 

Aquino said that the appointment “is another worrying display of Mrs. Arroyo's self-interest over national interest.”

Aquino, however, said he hopes Bangit “will rise beyond utang na loob and perform his Constitutional duty to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral exercise in May.”

Retired generals air fear

Retired Maj. Gen. Ramon Montaño, also expressed disappointment over Bangit’s appointment.

“We in the retired ranks who are in touch with the still idealistic elements of the AFP fear that the designation of Lt. Gen Bangit as CSAFP (Chief of Staff, AFP) will confirm their apprehension and the perception of the people that the military will again be used  to frustrate the people's will in the 2010 elections,” said Montaño, who was chief of the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police under President Corazon Aquino, the late mother of the Liberal Party standard-bearer.

Montaño accused Mrs. Arroyo of using her “her cabal of blindly loyal military officers and political running dogs to destroy the political opposition” during the 2004 elections.”

“We pray that this desperate plot of this administration to cling to power shall be stopped by the might of the Filipino people and the idealistic, honorable members of the AFP,” added Montaño.

"Burden on Bangit"

Two legislators, meanwhile, challenged Bangit to disprove the fears regarding his appointment.

Sen. Francis Escudero said Bangit should prove and show his impartiality and commitment to clean, honest and peaceful elections.

"Given his closeness to GMA, he must prove himself to our people and must be above suspicion," he said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Bangit’s appointment comes amid allegations that the Arroyo administration has no intention of stepping down after the end of its term on June 30.

“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….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,” said Pangilinan, also a member of the Liberal Party. 

Magdalos accept appointment

Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who is detained for allegedly launching destabilization moves against the Arroyo administration last February 2006, said Bangit's appointment was “the prize for loyalty.”

“Kumbaga sa ano, ganito lang yan e, kung i-e-extend nila si Gen. Ibrado, wala na rin siyang pag-asang maging Chief of Staff, so sayang na lang iyong inilagi niya ano kasi all throughout napaka-loyal niya naman kay president. So ang sa akin e, hangga’t ang sistema ganyan, kasi di wala tayong magawa. So we give him the credit kasi siya naman iyong sumugal noon di ba?” said Querubin.

He also said he was not surprised by the appointment, adding that Bangit was the most senior among the current commanders of the country’s armed services.

The Magdalo group also challenged Bangit to disprove allegations that he will just be Arroyo's tool for wrongdoings.

Despite Bangit's appointment, the Magdalo group expressed hope that the coming elections will be an opportunity not only for him but for the entire armed forces to help ensure for a "truly peaceful and credible election."

"Everyone is aware of the issues previously raised prior to this appointment by Gloria Arroyo of General Bangit,” said former 1st Lt. Ashley Acedillo, Magdalo group spokesman.

Military analyst and University of the Philippines professor Clarita Carlos, meanwhile, downplayed fears of a failure of elections that may lead to a military takeover now that Bangit has been appointed military chief.

She said a military takeover is not likely to happen because of technological advancements with the automation of elections in May and vigilant groups safeguarding the elections.

“Professional commander”

Ibrado, meanwhile, defended Bangit’s appointment.

“As far as I am concerned, he is very professional, he has proven that he is a very good commander, and I think he would do a good job as Chief of Staff,” said Ibrado in an interview after a testimonial parade on Monday given by the Philippine Army in his honor.

He also confirmed that Bangit was in the short list recommended to President Arroyo.

He branded as "unfair" accusations that Bangit would be used to cheat for the administration in the May 10 polls.

Prior to his appointment as Army chief, Bangit was the commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command based in Lucena City and also served as commanding general of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

Bangit was also appointed by President Arroyo as chief of the AFP Intelligence Service from August 16, 2006 to September 5, 2007 while he was PSG chief.

Bangit took his Command and Staff Course at the Australian Army Command and Staff College. He also finished Anti-Urban Terrorist Patrol Training at the Louisiana State Police Academy and the Foreign Officer Tactical Intelligence Course at the School of Military Intelligence in Australia.

He also finished his Master of Defense Studies from the University of Canberra, Australia in 2000.

The new AFP chief is a recipient of 5 Distinguished Service Stars, 3 Bronze Cross Medals, Silver Wing Medal, 15 Military Merit Medals, Mindanao-Sulu, Visayas and Luzon Campaign Medals and ribbons and is also a recipient of US Military Commendation Medal among others.

Bangit is married to Daisy Magdangal – Bangit. The couple have 3 children. -- With reports from RG Cruz, Henry Omaga Diaz, Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News; Manny Mogato, Reuters