RP Cabinet member enchanted with Saipan scenery, beaches

Philippine Department of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. was all praises with the beauty of Saipan, particularly the beaches.

“It’s my first time [here on Saipan]. You have such a beautiful scenery,” Ebdane told the Saipan Tribune as he viewed the beach from the club room on the eighth floor of the Fiesta Resort and Spa in Garapan last Saturday morning.

Upon his arrival at the Saipan international airport, the Philippine Cabinet member was accompanied by Philippine Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo and officers of the island’s Masons to Fiesta Resort and Spa where he was set to pay a courtesy call on Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez.

Ebdane lauded the CNMI government and the people for “maintaining the pristine beaches.”

“It is also very peaceful,” said the DPW secretary.

He visited the island to serve as the keynote speaker during the installation of officers for this year’s Emon Lodge No. 179 of Masonic Distict No. 54 under the Jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.

Ebdane is a retired four-star general who is the grand master of Masons in Philippine jurisdiction. Before coming to Saipan he attended the installation of officers for Masons in Guam.

He said he is also happy to learn that there are many Filipinos here and that they are very active in community activities.

COUP RUMORS

On the issue of reported impending coup d’etat against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the retired general expressed doubts about it.

“There is no critical issue that may ignite soldiers and police officers to overthrow the administration. There is lack of armed component to launch a coup,” Ebdane said.

Citing surveys, he pointed out that Filipinos do not support extra-constitutional means to topple the Arroyo administration.

Nevertheless, Ebdane said the administration is prepared for any uprising.

Asked whether Arroyo could finish her term despite the election cheating scandal and corruption issues hounding her presidency, the DPW secretary was quick to reply, “Definitely.”

Under the Philippine Constitution, Arroyo is mandated to complete her term until 2010, he said.

The Cabinet official also noted that the Philippine economy has been improving and that the situation is expected to get better with the recent implementation of the 12-percent increase in Value Added Taxes.

With respect to DPW major projects, Ebdane mentioned many ongoing and forthcoming projects such as construction of major highways, roads, bridges, school buildings, among other things.

He said that, of the 10 top priority programs of Arroyo, six are DPW-related projects.

Ebdane avoided answering, however, the issue that he was allegedly one of the trusted Arroyo men who tried to help election official Virgilio Garcillano exit the country at the height of the “Hello Garci controversy.”

He said the right person to talk about the allegations is Garcillano himself.

“Less talk, less mistake,” he said.

Asked whether he has plans to enter politics after his stint at DPW, Ebdane said he is not a politician.

“I don’t know the inner workings of politics,” he said, adding that he may instead enjoy his retirement and go farming in his native Zambales.

He is happily married to former Alma Cabanayan, who accompanied him in this trip. The couple is blessed with three children.

Ebdane’s previous significant assignments include being provincial commander of the Nueva Ecija Constabulary Command; commander of the Presidential Guard Battalion; commanding officer of the PC Special Action Force; director of the Western Police District; regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office; and chief of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force. He served as chief of the National Police in 2002 to 2004.