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We salute Heidi Mendoza

Thanks to ABS-CBN for this photo
As long as there is a Heidi Mendoza, there is hope for the Filipino nation.

As astounding as the courage of Heidi Mendoza, former state auditor who investigated the case of retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, was the refusal of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and the government prosecutors to acknowledge the evidence even if they were staring on their face.

Mendoza’s testimony about the pressures she had to put up in uncovering military corruption was so moving especially when she tearfully appealed to spare her family from harm. “Maawa kayo sa akin. Maawa kayo sa mnga anak ko,” she pleaded adding that in coming out she didn’t want to hurt anybody.

A daughter of a policeman, she said she took on the challenge of investigating corruption in the military “to give honor to the soldiers who risk their lives in defense of the country.”

She said it was because of “sheer disgust over the corruption in government” that she is risking her safety and that of her family by testifying in the congressional investigation. She appealed to each and every one to do his share in stomping out corruption.

Heidi related that from the very beginning when then Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo requested for her help in investigating, Acting chairman of the Commission on Audit Emmanuel Dalman gave her permission but with the advice, “Dahan-dahan lang.” When she asked for clarification, Dalman said “kasi tinawagan tayo ng Palasyo.”

Mendoza said she what she can remember of Dalman’s words of caution was it came from the office of the Executive Secretary.

Former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was at the hearing and he denied categorically that he gave the instruction for Mendoza to slow down in the investigation.

Heidi said her investigation covered the pension funds, the United Nation fund for peacekeepers, Balikatan, Modernization Funds. In 2005, she made a presentation to Assistant COA Commissioner Emma Espina who discouraged her from doing a report of what she has discovered.

Later it was the COA chair himself, Guillermo Carague, who told her “Don’t make the report anymore. Anyway, the Ombudsman (Marcelo) has resigned.”

She was dismayed. She asked what was she going to do with the 12 boxes of evidence she has gathered. Caraque told her: “Simple. Return the documents to where you got it.”

Since COA was not interested in her report, she made a Financial Investigation Report and submitted it to the Ombudsman. She said she never had a meeting with Gutierrez unlike during the time of Marcelo with whom she worked closely with.

Some of the irregularities that she discovered:

*P50 million of the P200 million from the U.N. in a convoluted and irregular deposit process that could not have happened without the cooperation of bank officials. Three accounts were opened at the United Coconut Planters Bank, Alfaro branch where Ethel Bondoc was the manager . One account for P100 million, another for P50 million supposedly another fro P50 million. But the last P50 million had a passbook but not in the system.

Later on another P50 million account at the Tordesillas branch of UCPB surfaced which the AFP and UCPB said was the missing P50 million. But Mendoza said the source of that P50 million was not the P200 million.

*Discovered clearing accounts in Land Bank General Santos and Iloilo branches involving amounts as huge as $5 million.

The wife of former comptroller Lt. Gen (ret) Jacinto Ligot is from General Santos City while that of Garcia is from Iloilo.

Rep. Roilo Golez that practice is called “floating accounts” where money can be “parked” even for a day and earn million of pesos in interest.

When Assistant Special Prosecutor Joseph Capistrano said that the UCPB and Bondoc issued a certification that the P50 million was not missing and it was found at the UCPB,Tordesillas branch, Mendoza revealed a private mail from a member of the investigating team United States Department of Justice who said that Bondoc told them the UCPB did a “cover-up” of the missing P50 million.

In the midst of all these, Gutierrez still insisted their evidence against Garcia is weak. It only shows that those who don’t want to look, will never see.

Mendoza said her appearance in the House investigation was not to convict Garcia. But she said she felt that she has no right to demand good governance from the government if she did not get out and tell the public what she knows.

She said she wants to assure the public that not all in government are corrupt.

Published inGraft and corruptionMilitary

127 Comments

  1. A remarkably admirable woman… Hats off to Heidi Mendoza.

  2. Sorry, change that to “A remarkably admirable human being!”

  3. Ellen,

    Please tell her that if ever she comes to my neck of woods, I’d be very honoured to meet her and would be pleased to tour her around and perhaps introduce her to some people I know at the OECD (anti-corruption watchdog body)if she so wishes. She is very welcome to my modest home (not 5-star quality but comfortable.)

  4. chi chi

    Go! Go! Go!…Lady warrior Heidi! Wow, this Lady is ‘remarkably’ amazing!

    Ex-COA chiefs Dalman and Carague, aha! And Assistant COA Commissioner Emma Espina,too! Two more names of Miss Heidi’s bosses that Senate must make kalkal in relation to Garcia’s payroll!

  5. chi chi

    “Former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was at the hearing and he denied categorically that he gave the instruction for Mendoza to slow down in the investigation.”

    Ow!!! Tandang Edong is too smart for this game of admitting giving orders/instructions. Did Miss Heidi ‘categorically’ pointed her fingers at him? Wala namang sinabi a! “Mendoza said she what she can remember of Dalman’s words of caution was it came from the office of the Executive Secretary.” The instructions could have been relayed to Dalman from ‘below’.

  6. chi chi

    MANILA, Philippines – Former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes on Tuesday challenged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to give up his parliamentary immunity amid his allegations against the former Armed Forces chief in connection with reported irregularities in the military. – http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

    Amoy imburnal talaga itong si Angie! You have “no honor to protect” hoy!

  7. perl perl

    DOJ may summon Reyes, 2 others for preliminary probe
    http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=653575&publicationSubCategoryId=63
    MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice
    may summon former Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes and two other former generals for preliminary investigation in preparation for possible filing of plunder charges against them.

    Yun naman pala, hindi na kailngan ng truth commission. Kasuhan na agad yan si Reyes at ikulong ng masampulan. Siguradong manginginig na tumbong ng mga Arroyo!

    Mawawala pagaalinlangan ko kay De Lima pag napakulong nya si Reyes…

  8. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Kung admirable human being si Heidi Mendoza, di shameless buwaya o baboy ang tawag sa mga kurakot Gloria Arroyo generals. Hehehe!

  9. Mike Mike

    Chi @ #6:

    Angie: “…give up your parliamentary immunity.”

    Sonny: “Ano ako, bale?”

    🙂

  10. Mike Mike

    They ex-generals denies receiving pabaon. Why not do some life-style checks on these gentlemen?

  11. jawo jawo

    Former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes on Tuesday challenged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to give up his parliamentary immunity amid his allegations against the former Armed Forces chief in connection with reported irregularities in the military.—————>chi – February 2, 2011 12:14 am
    *************************************************************************************
    “Utak-biya” talaga itong si Angie Reyes. Insulto ito sa mga matatalinong PMA’ers. Nahaluan kayo ng ‘sang-damukal na bobo gaya nitong si Reyes.

    After 7 years of incarceration, the situation is now reversed. While AT4 has the so-called “perks” of wielding power that goes with his position, you, Angelo (dapat ang pangalan mo eh Demonyo), are back to being “mortal” once again. Gone are the days when you and your merry band of thieves and cutthroats were extended the protection of a blanket immunity by no less than your fucking bitch of a patroness named, gloria dorobo. Your infamous “gag order” are now no more. You and the rest of your conspirator-clowns are left on your own because your glorious bitch is now finding ways herself to cheat the hangman.
    AT4 will give up his parliamentary immunity ? Do you even know what you are saying ? The fun has just begun as far as AT4 is concerned. Not only is he now seen as justified in leading that Oakwood incident (against massive corruption in the military), but also has that edge of pinning down senior fellow PMA’ers who amassed illegal wealth at the expense of the ordinary men and women in uniform and the Pinoys as a whole.

  12. parasabayan parasabayan

    More power to you Heidi! May there be more Heidies in the Philippines para matapos na ang corruption!

    I second the motion Mike! Paano makakabili ng rancho si asspweron sa Australia? Kahit na doktora ang asawa niya, still she works in V Luna, still a government paid doctor. I-lifestyle check lahat sila! Sa mga generals na nag-appear si Abaya at Yano lang siguro ang least corrupt.

  13. martinsampaga martinsampaga

    at least sa pagka-upo ni Sen. AT4 sa senado, nawala na katangahan na tradisyon mula sa brainwashed na mga alumni sa PMA- na bawal mag akusa ang lower classmen towards sa mga nakakatandang PMA graduates,even theyre all retired from service! so hayan! sana sa isyung ito, matuto ang mga kadete na hindi sa lahat ng idea tama ang mga upperclassmen…

  14. parasabayan parasabayan

    I personally met the wife of Gen Abaya in Hawaii. She is a very simple woman. Hindi katulad ng mga ibang wives ng mga generals, naka-Hermes bags pa! Milyones ang bayad niyan! Puro naka-designer shoes pa sila! I buy my summer footwear from Le Donne, mura na stylish pa! And so with my summer clothes. I love the Philippine style of clothes for summer. Everytime I buy my stuff in the Philippines, I am helping our economy in my own little way. I encourage my relatives and friends to do the same.

  15. parasabayan parasabayan

    I watched the whole hearing. How could the Ombudsman discount the key findings of Heidi? The forged withdrawal/deposit of the 50M which was just typewritten. The bank officers should really be questioned because this is just not a simple theft but also big time fraud and if these bank officers are still transacting business, their banks should fire them right away!

  16. parasabayan parasabayan

    The private bank officers are just as liable as these generals and the COA officers as well for stopping Heidi in pursuing the Garcia case.

    Most glaring of all are the Ombudsman prosecutors who did not do a good job of probing the case. Nag short cut sila! Or they are simply stupid! Kung ako si Pnoy, I will fire all of them pronto! Iwanan na lang si Maldita to swim on her own, pending the decision of the Supreme Court to impeach her, which I doubt will prosper as most of the SC justices are appointees of the putot.

  17. chi chi

    FUNDS CONVERTED

    Former Marines Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the leaders of the failed plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006, said among the funds diverted to the contingency fund of the AFP chief were United Nations funds.

    Querubin said that in 2001, while he was a liaison officer for the Philippine peacekeeping contingent to East Timor, the Filipino peacekeepers did not receive their monthly $60,000 in specialist pay provided by the UN.

    “We were told not to touch it, that it is for the contingency fund of the chief of staff…During that time, there was such a special fund that we did not get,” said Querubin.

    Querubin said the trucks of the Filipino peacekeepers in East Timor at that time were in a sorry state and that their barracks were merely huts that were fire hazards.

    “And yet, the UN reimbursed the full amount to the Armed Forces,” said Querubin, adding that this can be corroborated by Rabusa. – http://www.malaya.com.ph

  18. chi chi

    Susmaryosep na Angelo Reyes ito! Kaya pala napugutan ng leeg ang mga sundalo sa field dahil hindi makatakbo dahil walang boots, gutom at walang barracks! Lahat ng pera ng AFP pati donasyon ng UN ibinulsa ng taragis na ungas na Reyes!

    Kaya pala gustong mag-partylist rep para meron immunity sa kanyang mga katarantaduhan. Buti na lang disqualified…dead man walking ka ngayon Angie!

  19. rose rose

    Nakita ko kanina sa Umagang Kay Ganda ang mukha ni Maldita, the omigoshbadgirl nasira tuloy ang umaga ko…pero noong nagsalita na siya natawa ako habang nagsasalita siya..she looks funny..kaya seguro magka-ibigan sila ni tabbaboy! she probably entertains him… sa tingin ko mas maganda ng di hamak si Victohria peak! and with due apologies to the company. Ms. Universe si putot compared to her…

  20. rose rose

    Lagot si Ligot..fallen angel naman si Reyes…

  21. DOJ may summon Reyes, 2 others for preliminary probe

    May summon only? Why “may”? Summon them! There’s nothing wrong with summoning them and if I were Reyes, I’d gladly accept if only to be able to say that there’s nothing to hide.

    But with all the revelations, the thing to do and the only bloody thing to do is to open investigations pure and simple and to start investigating, you need to summon people. DoJ must stop saying “may” “might” possibly summon jerks… Just bloody frigging do it otherwise if they don’t know what to do or what they want to do, then they (DoJ) must just shut up!!!

    I’m just so gobsmacked that Office of Ombudsman says evidence is weak against plunderer Garcia… Can’t believe they’re defending Garcia even after all the revelations!

    Fucking jerks!

  22. geriboy27 geriboy27

    hayyy eto nanaman tayo…. ala jun lozada nanaman ito na after mag testify sa corruption case eh sila pa yung nakasuhan but i admire both lozada and
    mendoza for their patriotism and the courage to speak against all odds even sacrificing their job and the safety of their family. But is this AFP fund
    similar to the pork barrel of the crocodiles who are conducting this hearing, if so… this is not “in aid of legislation” this may be “in aid of avioding
    the pork barrel from being audited”

  23. perl perl

    Anna,
    kaya nga pinagdududahan ko yan si De Lima eh… ang bilis umaksyon sa kaso ni Lacson.. bantayan natin kilos nyan pagdating sa mga bata ni gloria… dyan magkakasubukan!

  24. perl perl

    chi,
    takbuhan nila congress para sa immunity… re disqualification ni Reyes para maging representative ng 1-Utak party list… naka apila pa yan sa Gloria’s Supreme Cohorts… baka magulat na lang tayo… maglabas ng desisyon ang G-SC… maging kongresista bigla si Reyes… naloko na!

  25. chi chi

    Ganun ba, perl? Nakupo, dapat bilisan ng Senate ang paglitson kay Angie! As to de Lima, and lambot nya sa mga tao ni Gloria.

    Agree with Anna, bakit “may summon” lang ni de Lima si Reyes? Ah, she’s waiting for some “instructions’ from the high konek/padrino? Sorry folks, duda na rin yata ako especially when a friend ‘categorically’ told me de Lima’s konek.

  26. perl perl

    sabi nila.. hindi magagamit ang immunity sa plunder… no bail nga kasi. ang problema, kapag naging horrorable congressman na si Angie Reyes… hindi na sya pwde igisa sa Senate o house hearing at magkakaron na nman ng maraming paraan para makalusot sa mga kaso.

  27. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Article VI Section 11. A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session.

    The penalty for plunder is more than six years. So walang silbi ang pagiging congressman, whether elected, or sectoral rep.

    Same goes for the Glue.

  28. Anybody found in You Tube Heidi’s testimony, please share with us the link. Thanks.

  29. Tedanz Tedanz

    chi,

    Si deLima ay tao ni Glorya .. kanya’t papano mo uusigin itong mga grupo ng magnanakaw kung hawak nila ang SC, Ombudsman at DOJ?
    Ang bugok niyong Pangulo ay isa ng “kwek-kwek” 🙂 🙂 🙂

  30. Tedanz Tedanz

    Saludo ako dito kay Ms. Mendoza …. sana hindi siya nag-iisa.

  31. Tedanz Tedanz

    Dapat mag-coup na ang taongbayan …. pero dito lang sa SC, Ombudsman at DOJ. Puwede ba yon??????
    Pagsisipain nila lahat … hindi naman sila ibinoto …. ano ba ang ipinagmamalaki nila.
    Sugod na mga kabayan!!!!!!! 🙁

  32. chi chi

    Thanks, attySnV.

    Tedanz,kaya ba hindi pa sinisimulan ang plunder kay putot? 🙂

  33. totingmulto totingmulto

    The DOJ “may” summon reyes…

    ” May” dahil wala pang affidavit-complaint si rabusa filed with the DOJ against reyes et al because they are still fine tuning it. Under the rules, the respondent will be summoned and required to submit controversion kapag may complaint na against him. Hinay hinay lang. Aabot din tayo dyan.

  34. baguneta baguneta

    O Ellen, idinadamay ka rin. Tordesillas Branch daw.

  35. chi chi

    Salamat, baycas. Kita ko kahit bitin, hehe…

  36. perl perl

    #29, Thanks Sax
    Tedanz,kaya ba hindi pa sinisimulan ang plunder kay putot? – Chi

    possible chi! si De Lima, kundi man architect.. isa sya sa supporter ng truth commission… maaring maganda motibo ng TC pero pwde din itong gamitin ng kalaban para madelay o hindi makasuhan si Gloria… pwde naman habang naghihintay sa Gloria’s Supreme Cohort decision sa TC.. pwde naman magpatawag na ng imbestigasyon ang DOJ pra masimulan na ang pagsampa ng kaso laban kay Gloria o khit sa kanyang mga alagad… bakit hindi nya ginagawa?

    yang paglabas ni Rabusa na magbibigay daan para makasuhan ng Plunder case si Reyes sa DOJ… nangangahulugan na hindi talga kailngan ang TC…

    sa kaso ni Angie Reyes… dito natin talga masusubukan at makikita ang totoong kulay ni De Lima!

  37. Pista ng Welcome Rotunda iyan kapag madismis ang kaso ni Garcia,kasi sasamahan ng mga madre at kababaihan si H.Mendoza na maglakad ng hubo’t hubad.Sasali pa raw si Sen. Mirriam Santiago.

  38. Mga heneral may pasalubong at pabaon,mga studyante….WALA..

  39. Abugado ni Garcia ang dating ni Merceditas sa Kongresso.Wala raw ebidens..

  40. renaldo renaldo

    Kahanga-hanga talaga si Ms. Heide Mendoza. Sagad to the bone yung naramdaman kong sincerity at truthfulness ng kaniyang revelation. Ms. Heide, we salute you!!!! You are GREAT, UNSELFISH, CARING woman!!!!
    Hindi katulad nung kay Ms. MG, hindi halos malaman kung anong salitang sasabihin. Para siyang batang nahuling nagsisingungaling at sasabihin pang tamaan sana ng kidlat yung nagsisinungaling.
    And I couldn’t believe it coming from an Ombusdman. I guess dapat na talagang matuloy yung impeachment case niya.
    The Ombudsman office is already corrupted and kakapal ng mukha nila to give that blank face during the hearing.
    And mas lalong makakapal yung mukha nung mga generals na naging AFPCS. Rumours lang daw sa pagiging chief of staff yung tungkol sa welcome and despedida pabaon sa kanila. Eh, may nagChavit Singson na nga sa kanilang grupo ay rumours pa rin.
    Para sa isang taxpayer na agad binabawasan ng 33% sa sweldo, gusto kung masuka sa ginagawa nila. A part nung binibigay ko sa gov’t ay dun lang pala mapupunta sa kanila at sa mga asawa nila.
    What a life!!! Kaya lang nakaka-awa din yung next generation ng family nila who will suffer the kahihiyan ipinamana.
    No wonder hindi bumigay sa kapit yung mga generals kay GMA during the “EDSA 3.”

  41. Thank you heidi Mendoza!

  42. baycas2 baycas2

    Carague is saying (today on radio) that Ms. Heidi Mendoza together with nine other auditors were seconded (transferred temporarily) to the Office of the Ombudsman under the direct supervision of then Ombudsman Marcelo.

    So, Ms. Mendoza was then part of the Office of the Ombudsman and she could have asked permission from the Ombudsman to pursue details of the U.N. Fund.

    I hope there would be a very clear timeline of the facts especially that most of the details publicized are “she said, he said” matters. Both sides must be heard first in order to draw a better conclusion.
    ..

    Though one thing’s certain, Garcia et al are at fault…

  43. jawo jawo

    Angelo Reyes is having a hard time remembering. May amnesia ba siya ? Tingnan natin:

    Causes of amnesia:

    1) Brain injury due to physical trauma:
    * We never heard of Angie being involved in any accident. So this is not it.
    2) Drug and alchohol abuse.
    * We never saw him intoxicated either in public or otherwise. No way.
    3) Vascular Insufficiency.
    * He looks fit for a man his age so no problem with his heart not pumping
    blood to his brain. So, hindi rin ito.
    4) Malnutritiom infection.
    * He doesn’t look malnourished to me.
    5) Brain degeneration due to Alzheimer’s desease.
    * Angie looks as sharp as a 12-year old.
    6) War-related trauma.
    * Angie never saw or fought in any war/conflict except perhaps from
    watching TV. But he rose to a 4-star general (WHEW !!!).
    7) Send-off gift of P50,000,000.00 as an outgoing AFP Cheap of Stop (among
    other million peso doodads while still in office).
    * Ahhh——-ETO NA IYON !!! Because he knows he didn’t earn this money, he will really have a hard
    time remembering how he got it. But he need not worry. Rabusa and
    Mendoza will do the “remembering” at no cost to him except his
    fucking head in the shithole called, Muntinglupa.

  44. ellen,

    in one of the links you gave:

    In a statement, AGFO president, retired Lt. Gen. Raul Urgello, said the probe into the slush fund should determine the truth, lead to the prosecution of the guilty and clearing the names of the innocent.

    “We are not exculpating any of the accused who at this stage have to defend themselves from their accusers,” Urgello said.

    Urgello said that Reyes must face the charges against him and that AGFO would remain neutral.

    For info, LtGen Urgello (bred, formed and nurtured in intelligence services) was one military officer who was low key, not corrupt and one who didn’t like Angie to the very end… One of those who has a remarkable military record. His classmates respect him greatly (Angie is generally despised by members of Class 66 and I’m weighing my words)
    Urgello has always enjoyed high esteem in the military rank and file. He was also one who didn’t jockey or lobby for promotion which was and still is tradition in the AFP.

    Lagot ngayon si Angie — Heheheh!!!

    If Urgello is now attacking Angie, it will snowball.

    Go General go! Attack bastard Angie!

  45. Read most reports or transcripts of Heidi Mendoza testimony and she’s articulate, add that to her technical knowledge of the intricacies of finance, makes her a very very credible witness.

    So Madame de Lima, stop the do lallying… get on with it and summon the bastards. There’s enough evidence if you only care to do your work without grandstanding to the press (to say nothing!)

    Get on with it! Use the brain cells that God gave you. Crack the whip so your staff begin to do the job for which they receive taxpayers’ money.

    Use this wonderful opportunity to do something good not only for your appointing authority, i.e., Mr Aquino, but also for the country. (You will also lose weight in the process which is a good thing because your pictures depict a rather heavy backside of your anatomy!)

  46. martina martina

    Dapat talaga may mabigwas diyan sa COA, mas mataas mas masaya. Nanginginig na siguro iyong lima na sabi ni Heidi.

  47. Golberg Golberg

    “How could the Ombudsman discount the key findings of Heidi?”
    Kailangan nilang bigyan ng proteksyon yung mga magulang nilang “halimaw na buwaya.” Alam nyo na kung sino yung 2 iyon!
    Sabi nga ni Rabusa, may sasabihin pa siya na magdadawit dun sa mag-asawang halimaw na buwaya.
    Kailangan ng ombudsman na putulin agad ang mga sanga na may koneksyon dun sa dalawa.
    Ang kaso saan ka nakakita ng puno nay may tuktok pero walang katawan?

  48. Golberg Golberg

    Amoy imburnal talaga itong si Angie!

    Di lang amoy imburnal iyan Chi. Masahol pa sa amoy ng poso negro iyang si Reyes.

  49. re #50 Sabi nga ni Rabusa, may sasabihin pa siya na magdadawit dun sa mag-asawang halimaw na buwaya.-Goldberg

    Rabusa has already said he was misquoted by Inquirer on his alleged statement linking Gloria Arroyo.

    He said he already called the attention of Inquirer.

  50. Golberg Golberg

    Paumanhin po. Na miss qoute ko rin pala siya.

  51. naguilenya naguilenya

    Will there be a “re-run” of the Toni Gonzaga and John Loy Cruz movie during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing tomorrow? BUt his time, it’s a different version. You see, the Philippines is trying to mainstream Gender Equality.

    Watch out for *MY AMNESIA BOYS*. See you at the Senate, not in theaters!

    Relax and enjoy!

  52. naguilenya naguilenya

    Will there be a “re-run” of the Toni Gonzaga and John Loyd Cruz movie during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing tomorrow? BUt his time, it’s a different version. You see, the Philippines is trying to mainstream Gender Equality.

    Watch out for *MY AMNESIA BOYS*. See you at the Senate, not in theaters!

    Relax and enjoy!

  53. ellen,

    Just to set the record straight: In a link you provided in previous thread http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=14928#comments , president of class 66 Avenido is quoted saying that the whole of Class 66 is supporting Reyes.

    I’m sure Avenido, who, btw was a policeman, pre-empted Urgello who is also of Class 66 and current AGFO president knowing that Urgello was bound to come up with something about this. As I said earlier on, Ugello despises Angie Reyes.

    And your link above confirmed that there was no way Urgello would tolerate Angie Reyes’ skirting corruption and pabaon accusations leveled against him.

    Urgello is too much of a gentleman and officer in the truest sense of the term to allow Angie Reyes to dance around these grave accusations.

  54. Would be good to have Gen J Nazareno’s opinion as well (1st CSAFP under Erap and classmate of Angie and Urgello) who also couldn’t stand Angie and used to make fun of Angie in command conferences especially when Angie, the opportunist par excellence was chief of then Southern Command :-).

  55. Ellen,

    At a very recent cocktail party, a military friend from where I sit got wind of reports about these shameless acts of corruption by senior military officials and asked me if there was truth to reports. He was all the more curious because he has been to the Philippines on an official trip once and knows some guys in RP military.

    Much to my regret, was forced to say “yes” and changed the topic. Naknampucha! I felt a bit embarassed there!

  56. There are scheduled official defence forums and exhbits in Europe this year. Let me tell you that members of Philippine military delegation will be looked at with a very suspicious eye here by their hosts and counterparts.

    Of course when they meet them (RP military delegation) here they will be civil and nice to them but they will be asking themselves this question: Is this Philippine military official a jerk, i.e., just like how senior Phil mil officials are depicted in news reports?

    Ugh! I suggest the Philippines not send military delegation to upcoming European defence and military events until Reyes, Garcia and company are behind bars.

  57. Anna,re #58. I sympathize with you.

  58. Statement of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan:

    To our soldiers: Rally behind Mendoza and Rabusa

    Tiwala tayo na agad na aaksyunan ni PNoy ang usapin ng tiwaling mga palakad sa AFP.

    Ito ang isang mabigat na dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon hindi matapos-tapos ang giyera sa Mindanao at kanayunan.

    Dahil sa halip na pagsusundalo ang inaatupag ng mga heneral ay pabaon at paano magpayaman ang prioridad ng mga ito.

    Wala silang interes na matapos ang bakbakan dahil kapag nangyari ito ay mababawasan ang gastusin sa AFP na maaari pa nilang nakawin.

    Kawawa ang ating mga kawal. Buhay ang binubuwis para sa AFP habang ang mga heneral ay walang sawa sa pabaon at kurakot. Hamon sa liderato ng AFP na ipakita na tunay nga na hindi na ganito ang palakad sa ating sandatahang lakas.

    Sa ating mga kawal, huwag ninyong tingnan na balakid ang pangyayaring ito. Kundi, dapat ay tingnan ito na pagkakataon na linisin ang sandatahang lakas na kapag natupad ay hindi lamang bagong bota, pabahay, o pag-aaral ng inyong mga anak ang matatamasa ninyo. Dagdag pa sa mga ito ay ang malaking posibilidad na wala nang giyera sa ating bansa kung maayos ang ating lipunan.

  59. romyman romyman

    @AnnaDeBrux , I think the former COS J Nazareno died of CVA 3 to 4 years ago.

  60. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    By God, all these revelations by Rebusa and Heidi are damning.

    The dimwits (in the Ombudsman’s office, the prosecutors and the Sandiganbayan) had better reverse their existing and/or intended stances.

    There’s no other choice. How do you defend a stance of pushing through and favoring plea bargaining in the face of the Rebusa and Heidi revelations?

    Those dimwits might get lynched if they do.

  61. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    And what was Ermita doing in that hearing, by the way?

    Was he invited? Who invited him? He was never an AFP Chief of Staff.

    Was he there to show his “Glorified” countenance in order to pressure/threaten the AFP Chiefs of Staff who attended the hearing? Just to make sure nobody squeals or admits to the AFP shenanigans?

    Ermita is like Angelo Reyes. His eyes rapidly blink when he lies. This silent operator is one efficient blinker.

  62. And what was Ermita doing in that hearing, by the way?

    Making sure that Gloria’s generals toe the Gloria line? Edong used to be a charming person but power got to his head. Pity!

    Ermita is like Angelo Reyes. His eyes rapidly blink when he lies. This silent operator is one efficient blinker.

    🙂 🙂 🙂 You noticed that too? He does that when he doesn’t want to give direct answers to direct questions; also when he’s under pressure. He laughs when he’s embarassed and then looks away. Dead giveaway body tics… 😉

    A smooth operator Edong is.

  63. romyman – February 2, 2011 12:52 pm

    Is that so?

  64. perl perl

    #59 Anna, anniversary na ba ng mga Euro-Generals? siguradong nasa high alert ang custom officials sa airport kung saan darating mga Philippine military/police officers!yaiks, kung isa ako sa official na mai-invite.. hindi ako pupunta! kahiya!

  65. jawo jawo

    Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes wants at least four senators to inhibit themselves from the Senate blue ribbon committee investigation into the multimillion-peso miltary perks, saying the four — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago, Antonio Trillanes lV and Francis “Chiz” Escudero — have already prejudged the case against him.—->The Daily Tribune 02/03/2011
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Naisip pa niya iyon ?? It’s funny that Angie thinks this way in spite of his grossly inferior mind.

    If memory serves me right, wasn’t it Angie (in cahoots with her hobbit- patroness and Sabit Singson) who withdrew support for Erap because he (Angie) pre-judged Erap as a recipient of jueteng payola (among other alleged corrupt deeds) ? Not only did he pre-judged Erap…….he went on to overthrow him in their infamous coup de etat.

    Grabe na ang amnesia mo, pare ko. Ngayon at sa iyo ginagawa ang ginawa mo noon kay Erap, you behave as if you had been trekking the straight path from the start.

    At least, sa ngayon, you know who your accusers are. Erap did not have that luxury when you ousted him. You stabbed him in the back. So now tell me, sino sa tingin mo eh mas na-agrabiyado ?

  66. chi chi

    #67. When the shoe fits! Not your day, Angie, niluluto ka ngayon ng karma!

  67. martinsampaga martinsampaga

    Pwede isabay nalang yung kaso ng mga “pabaon generals at yung mga Euro generals?”

  68. perl perl

    desperado na yan si Angie Reyes… nakakatulog pa kaya yan? korek, karma! nung magpasasa sila sa kaban ng bayan nung nasa posisyon pa sila… kala nila wala ng katapusan ang gloria! weder-weder lang yan…

  69. perl perl

    Update:
    Rabusa submits affidavit on AFP corruption, gets state protection
    http://www.gmanews.tv/story/212065/rabusa-submits-affidavit-on-afp-corruption-gets-state-protection
    UPDATED 2:00 p.m. – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima said former military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) beginning on Saturday.

    On Wednesday, Rabusa, who earlier revealed the practice of giving send-off money to retiring military chiefs, asked the DOJ to place him under the WPP.

    He also submitted an affidavit detailing what he knows about the alleged corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

  70. parasabayan parasabayan

    If it is too late to reverse the plea bargain of Garcia, bumawi na lang tayo kay Reyes. Akala nitong si Reyes eh forever ang power ni putot. Akala din niya lahat ng tao eh matatapalan ng pera. Sorry bro, katulad nga ng sabi ni Rabusa sa year book niya, “life is like a wheel”, umiikot lang. Noong panahon ni putot si Reyes at ang mga generals ni putot eh namamayagpag sa taas. Ngayon nandyan sila sa baba at madadaanan ng piyon! CRIME NEVER PAYS!

  71. rose rose

    ibaon na si Reyes sa impierno…Give him hell!

  72. Tedanz Tedanz

    Nakalimutan na si Gen. Lacson. 🙁

  73. parasabayan parasabayan

    Kung si Garcia eh pumayag na maging state witness eh di may protection din sana siya. Nakikipagmatigasan siya. Mukhang marami siyang pinoprotektahan. Maybe he too has a lot of death threats. Kaya lang para siyang walang “kwan” at parang hindi general. He would rather protect his money, interests and the people who got him into this mess in the first place. Hanggang kelan niya maproprotektahan ang lahat ng mga kasabwat niya?

  74. perl perl

    sayang, wala nga si Sen Lacson… baka sya lang makapagpaconvince kay Garcia na maging state witness, since kaklase… malabo na maging state witness yan si Garcia.. lalo kung hindi talga iaatras ng ombdusman yung plea bargain agreement… pero kung maglalabas siguro ng bagong ebidensya si Rabusa para idiin sa Garcia… baka pwde pa…

  75. perl perl

    mukhang nakatanggap talga si Garcia ng death threat sa mga dating kakampi (see thread Garcia’s Letter)… kaya gumawa ng sulat na naglalaman ng detalye ng korapsyon sa AFP at masasabit yung mga nasa taas… kaya siguro nagkaron din ng plea bargain agreement.. dahil sa sulat na yan.. nagkatakutan at nanalo si Garcia…

  76. Tedanz Tedanz

    “Aquino: I’m not shocked at corruption in military” — Inquirer

    Wahahahahaahahah !!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Engot talaga.

    Aksiyon Gng. Pangulo ang kailangan namin. Puweeee!!!!!!!

  77. preno preno

    the DFA has long reported the irregularities on the funds for peace keeping operations, straight to malacanan. that nothing happened speaks volumes about why it was not stopped, or at least investigated… the president himself should act, as commander-in-chief.

    everyone are naturally scared, this is the military top brass we are talking about. the strength of heidi’s conviction in her principles can only be described as unparalleled.

  78. martinsampaga martinsampaga

    #81

    “Aquino: I’m not shocked at corruption in military” — Inquirer

    Shocked lang siya BASTED siya lahat ng mga dates niya!

  79. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    We need to salute a brave woman like Heidi, and spit at those thugs in the military like Garcia and Reyes. I will celebrate if the two of them go to jail for good.

    Only shows that there are still some honest govt employees who see the difference between good and evil, unlike those corrupt generals who only see $$$$ in everything they do. Damned!

    On the other hand, seeing those lowly soldiers die in the battlefields of Mindanao is really sad. Lacking provisions and sleep, the only thing that keeps them going is the thought of keeping the integrity of the country. While their superiors in Manila live like kings, literally sleeping on tons of money. Grrrrrrrr!

  80. rose rose

    puede bang mabawi ang $50 million nabinigay kay Reyes…ask him to return the money at igastos sa investigation that will convict..igisa siya sa sariling niyang mantica…

  81. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    Perl, on your #79:

    You’ve got a point there. Garcia may have checkmated his superiors and partners in crime. The guy is smart.

    Ahh..but Rabusa seems smarter.

  82. after mr rabusa lived the good life with his family, also raking in millions, after a career of taking undue advantage, losing all that unearned money in casinos, hospital bills and spending a lot in a failed political ambition – he now tries to come out a hero…tsk, tsk ,tsk…and damaging the institution as he does so…
    i swear, try shouting “grenade!” and he will forget he’s in a wheelchair and run out ahead of everybody…

  83. i really believed in trillanes’ pure heart earlier but once you try to find out how they started…its just another political agenda…ask Estrada and Honasan…
    …no one is ever as clean as they claim to be, god help us all…

  84. then again, let them battle it out in the open, sling mud at each other, expose each other’s secrets, for all to know and see how we’ve all been played.
    there is no other recourse but to stay the path and not try to be manipulated by anyone to do anything unconstitutional, follow the law to the letter and not personalities.

  85. Golberg Golberg

    Bakit si Gutierez, kahit malakas na ang ebidensya at halos malaki pa ng 2 beses sa monumento ni Bonifacio ang ebidensya, “the evidence is weak pa rin.”?
    Di kaya, dun sa sinasabing nawawalang ($5M o $50M ba yun?)nung ma convert sa peso ay may naiabot na sa kanya kaya niya sinabing the evidence is weak?
    Kumpleto naman ang mga mata niya at nakakakita pa ng maayos. Pero parang, wala lang. The evidence is weak.

  86. i give this issue 2 weeks, and it will fizzle out. in this 3rd world country, the one who holds the military has the power, too bad for Erap he only fed his Angie Reyes and company, never trickled it down, Arroyo, on the other hand, worked her charm down to the colonels, notice how effective it was? but just as expensive.
    as long as we have a military that is politicized and supports unconstituional leadership change or withdraws its support for one, we will always have this problem. each sitting president must feed this powerful guard dogs tons of money, and where can he/she get it, Pagcor, Jueteng, people’s money, uncle sam’s – you’ll need a financial whiz or a master fundraiser. if not, you’ll be lucky to finish your term without coups, or do any meaningful worj at all.
    in these conditions, even an uncorrupt president coming in will be forced to learn the ropes.

  87. henry90 henry90

    Jug:

    Now you know why we good guys got out early before the system can swallow us. Even if we didn’t earn the stars, we still had our dignity intact. 🙂

  88. parasabayan parasabayan

    Nakana mo Jug. Sa totoo lang ang tingin ko dito kay Rabusa eh gusto lang niyang ma-off the hook sa mga kasalanan niya. When he said he burned all the evidences, tama ka Jug, how will he be a credible witness at this point? But still I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

    Jug, I do not agree with you that the bansot was able to corrupt even the colonels. Di na sana nakulong ang mga Tanay boys. Just think about it. All they had to do was to say “Sorry mam”. But they took responsibility of their actions and fought the bansot. The bansot sent feelers to the incarcerated to see if they had softened but these feelers failed. Ask Mike Defensor he probably will know better. Palagi siyang nandun sa Isafp.

  89. parasabayan parasabayan

    I agree with you that our military is politicized and I agree with you too that even the most honest officer in a position of power will grab the money as it is like grains thrown unto the chicken. Alangan namang hindi tutukain. Corruption has been our way of life.

    When I left the Philippines a few weeks ago, one of the security at the airport told me that I should take note of his name and look for him when the security check commences. I asked him, “is it not random” ? He said “NO”. Then I told him “anyway wala na namang laman ang bag ko pati pera naubos na”. And he said, “meron pa yan mam”! Wow! Imagine, security na yan hah! Think about those who are in more powerful positions. Even at the customs at the airport, agawan ang mga custom’s officers para sa aginaldo pagdating mo. Kinakawayan ka para pumunta sa kanila.

  90. parasabayan parasabayan

    At the Manila City Hall, I filed a paper five years ago and I was supposed to have gotten a signed copy and the lady said “pwede naman nating madaliin mam, napapagusapan naman yan”. When she said that I did not talk to her anymore and decided to just wait for the system to do its work. It has been 5 yrs now and the paper I am waiting for has not reached the destination it is supposed go to. I asked several people to follow through and it seems like kailangan ng “padulas” for one to get things done. Yan ang sistema natin. It is in a very sad state talaga.

  91. patria adorada patria adorada

    “to give honor to the soldiers who risk thier lives in defense of the country”nakakaiyak…yong mga bota na sira-sira na tinatapalan lang,para magamit uli,ni walang mga helmet.yong mga mukha parang kulang sa vitamins,yong mga baril,matanda pa sa kanila.seguro,kung walang kurap sa ating AFP kahit doblehin ang sahod nila puede mangyari…

  92. Henry,
    There is still hope with the next generation. We know these guys personally, lets see if power will not change them.

    Psb,
    she did corrupt some colonels but not all. How do you suppose the tanay boys got into that situation in the first place? They were betrayed by colleagues under whos payroll we already know.
    We can only hope that the next generation of leaders will learn from this and accept the fact that the honor code does not exist in the academy only.

  93. Henry,
    Have you noticed that “shabby” and “malingering” “can takes almost always grow up to be corrupt officers?

  94. xman xman

    OFF TOPIC: Authoritarian governments start stockpiling food to fight public anger

    “Bangladesh has tripled its rice import target and Indonesia this week bought 820,000 tonnes of Thai rice.

    “This is only the start of the panic buying,” said Ker Chung Yang, commodities analyst at Singapore-based Phillip Futures. “I expect we’ll have more countries coming in and buying grain.”

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/8288555/Authoritarian-governments-start-stockpiling-food-to-fight-public-anger.html

    Walang binigay na perang subsidy si Pnoy sa agricultural sector para maging self sufficient tayo sa food supply natin katulad ng bigas, umaasa lang tayo sa foreign imports.

    Kelan kikilos itong sinto sintong tamad na pekeng presidente bago tumaas ng husto ang presyo ng bigas?

  95. parasabayan parasabayan

    I am watching the senate hearing now. The case is very strong against Garcia coz Col Sonny Lim who was Rabusa’s assistant then is supporting Rabusa’s allegations. Rabusa has supporting papers on his allegations. Pretty damning indeed!

  96. I truly admire her. One of the few Filipinos worth our praise.

  97. triggerman925 triggerman925

    #91 i give this issue 2 weeks, and it will fizzle out.

    The Marcoses, after stealing billions, are not just scot free – they’re back in power!!! You’re right this will fizzle out. Worse, matatapos ang term ni Ferrari Boy na hindi mareresolve ang issue na to. And before you know it, putot’s cohorts are back in power. Just like the Marcoses. This country is cursed.

    **********************

    PSB: There is corruption in all, and I mean ALL government agencies. Nagkataon lang na ang AFP ang flavor of the month ngayon.

  98. There is corruption in all, and I mean ALL government agencies. Nagkataon lang na ang AFP ang flavor of the month ngayon.

    Oh dear… In matters of governance and the implementation of laws, we are probably in the same situation European societies were in up to 400-300 years ago 🙁

  99. triggerman925 triggerman925

    Ooops sorry. I meant Porsche not Ferrari

  100. jawo jawo

    Golberg – February 3, 2011 10:12 am
    Bakit si Gutierez, kahit malakas na ang ebidensya at halos malaki pa ng 2 beses sa monumento ni Bonifacio ang ebidensya, “the evidence is weak pa rin.”?

    On the contrary !! The evidence is very strong. It is Merceditas who is weak. Simple lang. She knows pretty well the repercussions of Rabusas’ (and Mendoza’s) claims/testimonies would eventually find their way all the way up the highest echelon of un-paralleled corruption, that is Gloria. She is willing to take the bullet for Gloria for everything illegal/un-constitutional that Gloria did in 9 years. And because that is the case, we could only surmise that she, too, had been on the take all along. And why not ? Well, nobody in his/her right mind would take the rap for anybody for nothing.

    Otherwise, it is common knowledge na BOBO talaga itong si Aling Mercy. ‘Di ba’t take-3 (or is it take-2 ?) siya sa bar exams bago siya naging “abugaga” ?

  101. Di ba’t take-3 (or is it take-2 ?) siya sa bar exams bago siya naging “abugaga” ?

    Talaga???

  102. triggerman925 triggerman925

    So after her 3rd try Attorney-At-Last na sya

  103. truthseeker truthseeker

    Heidi reminds me of another emotional witness Jun Lozada? Walang nangyari kay Jun. Baka ganyan din ang mangyari kay Heidi.

  104. bayonic bayonic

    I was able to listen on the radio to her emotional appeal towards the end of yesterday’s senate hearing and I must say she is one of the very few Filipinos who makes me feel proud to be a Filipino. She and her tribe should be feted with rewards and recognition …instead of crony capitalists,crass comedians,corrupt commanders and commanders-in-chief,clueless congressmen and councilors,a certain game show host and the rest of the circus.

  105. rose rose

    sa mga nababasa kong corrption sa Military…naalaala ko ang sabi sa akin ng isang PMAer na nakilala ko…pag graduate mo daw sa PMA. 2nd LT. ang rank..after four years magng lst Lt. ka and another 4 years Capt. ka..after that kumapit ka na sa palakas na padrino…and your promotion will be fast…and pag Gen. ka na pala..be corrpt…(hindi niya sinabi sa akin ito!) I wonder where he is now…hindi ko nababasa ang pangalan niya ..he must have retired long ago or killed when he was assigned sa Mindanao…

  106. truthseeker truthseeker

    Corruption in the military goes far back during the Marcos years. Gen. Ver, Olivas, Abadilla, Dumpit, Balbanero, Barangan, Balbino Diego, Maristela, etc. In fact, the so called Project 36-70 allowing civilians mostly rich businessmen to be commissioned as Reserved AFP Officers was one money making project by the AFP. I don’t know if it still exists today. But it was much worse during the GMA regime.

    Naalala ko tuloy ang kuwento sa akin tungkol sa mga bagitong Pulis. When one rookie cop reports for his duty the first time, his chief tells him: “Okay Sanchez, itong badge at baril mo…at buong Manila”.

  107. truthseeker truthseeker

    Ewan ko ba…pero parang kahawig ni Luli Arroyo itong si Heidi.

  108. rose rose

    bakit ipadala si Cimatu sa Egypt? para tumulong sa laban against the corrption in that country? omigosh! si Luli daw ay hindi nagmana sa Nanay niya..kahit sa height.. low profile lang daw!she is married to a nephew of Fr. Bernas…hindi na niya dala ang ngalan na Arroyo…but she has to protect the Bernas name…compared to he mother..maganda siya sa hitsura at sa ugali…but her brothers may not be!

  109. rose, maganda kamo si Luli? Pasukat ka na ng bagong salamin. Dun sa Moscot sa may Flatiron o sa Chinatown Optical sa Civic Center, hahaha.

    Dpat kay Luli magpa-injection ng anti-rabies. Mahirap na baka makagat ka nung ngipin niyang nasa harap ang mga bagang.

  110. rose rose

    Tongue: oo nga kailangan ko nang pumunta sa PGH…doon kasi si Dr. Perez, my eye doctor…kasi noong nag pa cataract operation ako..putot declared the day a holiday (namatay si Manalo)..kaya isa lang ang naoperahan…isa lang ang na ayos…pero Tongue ang sabi ko naman compared sa Nanay niyang putot…pero kung may isang katiting man lang na namana si putot sa tatay niyang Diosdado baka may “hitsura” rin siya…pero not only in height pero pati sa mukha niya nagmana kay Eva…tingnan mo eba ang mukha niya..her half sister is not ugly..not only in looks but also sa ugali…

  111. truthseeker truthseeker

    Luli has kept a low profile all the years her mom was in Malacanang. But she was very active defending her family against critics in her own ways. One of these was via internet, facebook, twitter. Curious din ako kung ano ang ginagawa ng tatay niya ngayon. Bigla yata naging malusog at walang sakit si FG nang natapos ang termino ni GMA.

  112. rose rose

    truthseeker: ano ang ginagawa ng tatay niya ngayon?…my guess either he is so tabbaboy ngayon kaya nag eenjoy lang siya doon sa Victohria peak where love is “a many splendored thing”. mukhang wala namang sakit…btw tapos na ba ang FAMAS award? I would like to nominate him for Best Actor…in the movie “Peking your Illness”. And as best supporting actor in “How to be a Billionare while in Public Service”…wala na siyang sakit kasi busog na busog na ang belly niya…he seems to be enjoying the “fruits” of his wife’s labor….pero balang araw mamatay din yan…

  113. truthseeker truthseeker

    Sa darating na laban ni Pacman, tiyak na nandoon na naman si FG. And of course Chavit Singson who may need to raise money to help his son in his case in Hongkong.

  114. truthseeker truthseeker

    What makes Heidi more credible is that she’s a reserved AFP officer having graduated from National Defense College. Her rank is Lt. Col. in the AFP or Navy Reserve Force. As such, she had info and knew the in and out of the military establishment.

  115. parasabayan parasabayan

    I saw the husband rallying behind her. That was so sweet! May hitsura pa yung husband niya and very supportive kay Heidi.

  116. truthseeker truthseeker

    At this point, the support of family members and loved ones is very important. Di tulad ng asawa ni Garcia binulgar pa siya. There were actually many Heidis in the past. We had Sandra Cam but unable to support her all the way.

  117. rose rose

    She truly deserves our support..our prayers will be important..kasi hindi madali ang ginawa niya…

  118. truthseeker truthseeker

    Ang hindi ko lang kursanadang witness si Mary Rosebud Ong.

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