Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Gilbert Gapay said he is open to another government position after he retires in February 2021.

Gapay made the statement in a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Tuesday, October 13, when asked on his stand on retired generals accepting government appointments despite their lack of expertise, and if he would accept an offer if one is made.

“I am open to accepting another post. Helping the country does not stop in a career in the military,” Gapay said.

The military chief then jested that if the Duterte government was already considering him, he would request a 3-month rest before he goes back to work.

Prior to becoming the AFP chief, Gapay was the commanding general of the Philippine Army. He is set to retire on or before February 4, 2021, when he hits the mandatory age of retirement of 56.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been appointing retired military and police generals to government posts. He has been criticized for appointments in government agencies tor for positions that the retired military or police officials have no expertise in. – Rappler.com