Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade's retention as spokesman of the counter-insurgency body NTF-ELCAC and the addition of six more mouthpieces gave off an "air of arrogance."
Lacson questioned why the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict increased its stable of spokespersons to eight when senators had earlier called for the removal of Parlade, accused of red-tagging activists, celebrities and journalists.
"Parang medyo arrogante yung dating sa amin. As I said, it will cost them," Lacson told reporters.
"Why would they need eight spokespersons? Parang nananadya yung dating sa amin. Kinukwestiyon na nga namin yung isang spokesperson.... Para bang gusto niyong tanggalan kami ng isa pang spokesperson? Magdadagdag pa kami," he added.
The Senate earlier approved a committee report which includes a recommendation to remove Parlade as NTF-ELCAC spokesperson, citing a violation of the Constitution. Article XVI, Section 5 of the charter states that no active member of the armed forces may be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the government.
After the Senate made the call, Lacson said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who serves as vice chair of NTF-ELCAC, told him that Parlade would eventually be "eased out" from the task force before he retires from military service this July.
Lacson however suggested that Parlade should be removed from the task force now and be rehired again after he retires from the military to avoid "constitutional infirmities."
"I don't see any sense doon sa pag-iinsist nila na i-retain siya. Parang, there's no point listening or discussing this issue with people who don't want to listen to reason anymore," he said.
Apart from Parlade, the NTF-ELCAC retained Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy as spokesperson and six new ones including Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
