MANILA, Philippines – Former Armed Forces Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes denied on Wednesday any knowledge of the alleged corrupt activities of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia.

In an interview on TV Patrol, Reyes said he knew Garcia but they did not serve together in an single unit. 

“Wala po naming opportunity then na he served directly under me,” he said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said in a privilege speech that Garcia could not have amassed hundreds of millions of pesos in allegedly ill-gotten wealth without the support of Reyes, while the latter was defense secretary. 

“Wala po akong alam diyan. Wala po akong kinalaman diyan,” Reyes said in his TV interview.

In her interpellation, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago lashed out at Reyes for denying having any knowledge of Garcia's activities. She said she found it unbelievable, as Reyes was Garcia's boss for 5 years.

"Kung wala siyang alam pala … eh 'di gago pala ang Reyes na 'yon," Santiago said. "This man is one of the greatest morons in Philippine history!"

Reyes, on the other hand, said the Department of National Defense (DND) is not involved in the implementation of the Armed Forces’ budget. 

“Ang Department of National Defense po, at that time, even up to now, is a policy-making body and deals with strategic issues,” he said.  “Iyung budget implementation, eh wala na po sa department iyon.”

 He claimed that allegations against him are an “old issue.”

“Marami nang sumasakay dito sa issue na ‘to. Iyon po naming mga issue na iyan eh matagal na pong inuungkat iyan, 2004-2005 na-raise na po iyan nung ako ay subject to confirmation as DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] chief,” Reyes said. 

“Sinagot ko na po iyan, eh ngayon nire-recycle na naman. Pero okay lang po. Sasagutin po natin ulit. “

He said he is willing to attend any Senate hearing into the issue.