Fiesty senator says gov't can already file charges against Reyes, et al

MANILA, Philippines - The alleged widespread corruption in the military has astounded even the iron lady, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

In an interview with reporters, Santiago said: “Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala ang lakas at an lawak ng pagnanakaw sa ating bansa, nagsuicide na ako nang ipanganak ako ng nanay ko. Oras na lumitaw ako sa nanay ko dapat diyan hinugot ko na ang umbilical cord at itinali ko sa leeg ko at nagpakamatay na lang ako. Ganito pala kalaki ang ninanakaw nila.”

She said she already knew of the monthly pay-offs for the chiefs of staff and other top brass in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but the new revelation by a former military budget officer was something else.

Former AFP budget officer George Rabusa made a surprise appearance in a Senate hearing on Thursday, saying former AFP chief Angelo Reyes received P50 million in "pabaon" (send-off money) when he retired in 2002.

This was aside from the P5 million in monthly discretionary funds that he received from the military comptroller's office.

Rabusa also said former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu received P10 million each in "pasalubong" (welcome gift) when they assumed the AFP leadership.

“Akala ko mga 1 million, 2 million, 5 million. Hindi ko alam na ang sinasabi palang pasalubong 50 million,” the apparently irked senator said.

File charges now

Santiago said the government should not wait for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to finish its investigation until it files cases against the parties involved, most especially Reyes whom she called “sclerotic.”

“It [Department of Justice] can finish preliminary investigation in 24 hours if it has a piece of direct evidence, and an eyewitness testimony is direct evidence—it does not need to be corroborated,” she said.

No less than the Supreme Court said it is not necessary to corroborate a testimony for as long as the eyewitness is credible, she noted.

The eyewitness, the SC said, should be unhesitating, straightforward. Rabusa meets these requirements, Santiago stressed.

“Ngayon pa lang ipadala na ang transcript niyan sa Department of Justice, mag-preliminary investigation na sila, sampahan na agad sa korte,” she added.

A petition for a writ of attachment should also be filed immediately so that the 3 chiefs Rabusa mentioned will not be able to touch the money in their respective banks.

“Kung nandidito sa Pilipinas, pwede nilang i-withdraw iyon, even through the internet only. Mamaya na magdemanda tayo, wala na tayong makukuha pa. Kaya ngayon pa lang dapat tapusin na. May eyewitness tayo,” she added.