News and Analysis, 12 November 2006 - Defense Secretary Cruz Resigns

In a surprise announcement Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz submitted his resignation with an effective date of 30 November 2006. Cruz, who is widely regarded as a reformer, ran into problems with the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over his outspoken criticism of her efforts to change the republic’s constitution from a U.S. presidential styled government to a parliamentary one.  Cruz has been associated with increasing the professionalism of the defense force by enhancing training for tactical units, and modifying the promotion system. (Comment: Cruz’s imminent departure from his defense portfolio will represent a setback for reform in the military and will further fracture the Arroyo administration. This comes at time when the Philippines is still wrestling with active and violent separatist movement in the South, fighting a seemingly endless communist insurgency, and has officer corps that retains a coup prone dissatisfied element.) [slr]