MANILA — Retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice and World War II veteran Manuel Pamaran was designated as acting president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP).
His oath was administered by Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the EDSA Lounge, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Monday.
In a statement Tuesday, Pamaran’s appointment as acting VFP president is justified under the DND chief’s power of “control and supervision” over the VFP as granted by Section 1 of Republic Act 2640 and the power to approve “any action or decision of the Federation or of the Supreme Council,” granted to the Secretary of National Defense (SND) under Section 2 of RA 2640.
Pursuant to Department Order No. 184, Lorenzana directed Pamaran to immediately assume the presidency and exercise the powers and functions of the president until his successor is duly elected, in accordance with the SND-approved Revised VFP Election Code.
The latter shall also submit the revised Rules of Governance for Lorenzana’s approval at the earliest possible time. In the same order, the DND chief terminated the hold-over capacity of retired Col. Bonifacio G. De Gracia as VFP president.
Lorenzana also voided the result of the National, Affiliate and Regional Elections conducted by the VFP on Dec. 21, 2017 due to violation of Department Circular No. 4 dated June 2, 2002 and Supreme Court Decision G.R. No. 155027 (VFP vs. Angelo Reyes) dated Feb. 28, 2006.
To ensure unhampered operation of the VFP and smooth leadership transition, Lorenzana also ordered the continuation in hold-over capacity of the incumbent members of the VFP Supreme Council.
All VFP personnel and its financial and property management offices have also been ordered to follow and cooperate with Pamaran, who was directed to secure and protect the property and financial records of the public corporation in preparation of the extensive audit by the DND and the Commission on Audit.
Pamaran, who remains sharp and active at 92, is the president of the Hunters-ROTC Guerrilla Association, the organization of the guerrilla unit where he served during World War II.
He is not new to the VFP as he was the corporation’s executive vice president prior to his appointment as president, having performed functions equivalent to a chief operating officer.
A member of the VFP Executive Board, Pamaran was likewise the Vice President for Charter Organizations of the VFP Supreme Council, the governing body of the federation.
The VFP is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the DND and is under the control and supervision of the DND chief.
Created by Republic Act No. 2640, the VFP serves as an umbrella organization of all organizations of Filipino veterans and their dependents. It is mandated by law to uphold the interest and general welfare of all Filipino veterans, spouses and orphans. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
