Prime Ministerial Candidate for the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Brigadier Mark Phillips has said he counts the role as “a great honour and privilege.”
Phillips, whose candidacy was confirmed on Friday night, said he identifies with the party’s vision and wholeheartedly supports the party’s Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali.
“As we embark on this journey together, be assured of my continued service to all the people of Guyana,” he said in a Facebook post.
Phillips urged Guyanese to vote for the party, noting that it is time to be steadfast and remain focused.
In a statement on Friday night, the PPP/C said the Brigadier was unanimously endorsed as the Prime Ministerial candidate at a meeting of the Central Committee.
“Mr. Phillips is…well qualified and equipped to partner with the PPP as its Prime Ministerial candidate, as it strides forward to win the upcoming elections and form the next Government of Guyana,” the party said.
Phillips was long touted to fill the post.
Brigadier Phillips is from Linden and became a soldier in 1980.
Phillips began serving as the Army chief on September 20, 2013. He was appointed by then-President Donald Ramotar.
He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and held a number of positions in the Guyana Defence Force before becoming its chief.
He also headed Guyana’s delegation to the Inter-American Defence Board and was also the non-resident Military Attaché to Venezuela.
The new PM Candidate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana (1998), and a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Management from La Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic (2000).
Phillips retired from the Army in October 2016.
