Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed on Wednesday that his loss of trust and confidence on the leadership of Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado pushed him to fire the navy official. “I have lost my trust and confidence in his integrity and leadership. Mercado was replaced by Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad, the deputy chief of staff for reserve and retirees affairs, in a sudden, unannounced turnover ceremony on Tuesday. Lorenzana claimed that Mercado insisted on his preferred CMS and even went around “forum shopping” to meet former Navy chiefs. “In social media it’s being painted out that the department is the one hindering the project and he is not doing to correct the misperception,” the defense chief said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2017 04:30 UTC