WHILE there’s much pondering on how the country can achieve progress under newly-installed President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., a lawmaker attracted public attention by filing a bill seeking to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. must have been in his best mood to lick the boots of Marcos that he found his ‘rocket science’ proposal a more pressing concern than the national recovery from the pandemic, oil price hikes, and the country’s territorial disputes with China.

Many of Teves’ colleagues in the lower chamber could be scratching their heads over his proposal and asking themselves: “Ba’t ‘di natin naisip yun?”

I hope this epidemic in the House won’t spread in the Senate.

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When Marcos Jr. named former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala as commander of the Presidential Security Group, there was doubt if the latter can do the job.

But to the surprise of many, Zagala is much more than a spokesman. According to the PSG, the colonel is a certified VIP protector being a graduate of VIPA Protection Course. He also held various positions in the PSG during his junior years.

Zagala joined the PSG’s first Light Armor Company from 1997 to 2000, and served as an aide-de-camp to former president Joseph Estrada.

He was also part of the following units of the Philippine Army: company commander of Charlie “Conqueror” Company of the 24th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and battalion commander of the 28th Infantry (Kamagong) Battalion and 10th Infantry (Agila) Division.

Unknown to many, Zagala is actually a seasoned combat officer with 33 encounters against the enemy that spans all levels from team leader, platoon, company and battalion commander.

He finished various career and specialization courses in the Philippines and abroad, including Special Forces Operations Course, Basic Airborne Course, UN Peacekeeping Operations, Armor Officer Advance Course, Public Affairs Officer Qualifying Course in Maryland and Master of Military and Defense Studies in Canberra, Australia.

The 52-year-old Zagala comes from a family of military officials. And the real catch is that his father, Maj. Gen. Rafael Zagala, was Army chief from 1972 until 1975 during the presidency of BBM’s father.

May the force be with you colonel!

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