MANILA, Philippines - Aside from former military chiefs, their wives also allegedly benefited from widespread corruption in the military as shown by their numerous travels abroad and expensive properties, according to documents exposed at a Senate hearing on Monday.

During the continuation of the Senate inquiry into alleged corruption in the military, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada presented documents showing that the wives of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Angelo Reyes and former comptroller Jacinto Ligot traveled abroad together for 13 times from 1993 to 2004.

Alone, Teresita Reyes traveled 48 times during the same period; Erlina Ligot, 42 times.

Showing pictures, Estrada also revealed that Mrs. Ligot bought two properties in California: one in 7102 Stanton Ave., Buena Park California in 2002 worth more than US$183,000 (around P8 million, US$ 1 = Php 43.75); and another in 1240 Cabernet Circle, Anaheim, California in 2003 worth US$504,000 (around P22 million, US$ 1 = Php 43.75).

Former AFP budget officer George Rabusa said he had knowledge of the military wives' alleged travels, claiming he tapped military funds to give them allowances.

The amount depends on how many are in the delegation, Rabusa said. When Mrs. Reyes traveled with Mrs. Ligot and other wives of military officials, he said he gave them US$10,000.

Rabusa even recalled meeting Mrs. Reyes when he was on official mission in Los Angeles, where, he said, he gave her not less than US$5,000.

No knowledge of travels

Ligot denied having any knowledge of his wife's travels.

"Hindi siya nagpapaalam sa 'yo? I think that's absurd," Estrada said.

"Hindi ko nalaman," Ligot replied.

"'Pagka sinisikreto niya na nando'n siya, ano naman magiging rason? 'Yon nga minsan mga alaga nating aso, pusa hinahanap natin, 'yon pang asawa," Estrada said.

"'Yong trabaho ko po kasi sa Mindanao sa field, minsan walang means of communication," Ligot answered.

Grilled further, Ligot invoked his right against self-incrimination pending the resolution of his forfeiture case at the Sandiganbayan.

"I don't see any reason why my question can incriminate you. I was just asking, were you aware of the travels made by your wife?" Estrada told Ligot during the hearing "You better answer me, please."

Senate to summon Mrs. Ligot

Ligot still refused to answer, prompting Estrada to ask Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III to summon Mrs. Ligot to the next hearing on Wednesday next week, February 16..

Ligot also said he doesn't know about the houses in the US bought under his wife's name.

"This is the first time I saw that," Ligot said after seeing the pictures of the houses in California.

"Hindi ho ba kayo nagtanong sa asawa n'yo?" Estrada asked.

"Natanong ko ho 'yan sa kanya," said Ligot.

"Eh 'di aware ka pala!" Estrada replied.

Ligot explained that he never asked his wife about the houses except when it was included in the case the Ombudsman filed against him.