Former military comptroller charged with graft

A former military finance chief will be charged with corruption for amassing over P135 million in "ill-gotten wealth," the Office of the Ombudsman disclosed yesterday.

Criminal proceedings will be administered against retired lieutenant general Jacinto Ligot, a former military comptroller, along with six family members, the Ombudsman said in a statement.

The government is also looking to seize the money allegedly accumulated by Ligot with the help of his family.

Ligot is also facing 11 counts of perjury for failing to disclose all his assets from 1993 to 2003 as required by the anti-graft law.

Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo approved a recommendation of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices to charge Ligot, his wife Erlinda, their children Paulo, Riza and Miguel, as well as his brother-in-law Edgardo Yambao and sister Miguela Ligot-Paragas.

Ligot’s family allegedly acted as conduits and fronts in accumulating unexplained wealth.

Marcelo also ordered forfeiture cases filed on Ligot’s properties that include several hectares of farmland in Bukidnon and Rizal provinces, condominium units, three luxury vehicles and a house in California.

Ligot, who was appointed head of the military for the Visayas region after his stint as comptroller, retired 13 months ago.

His successor as military finance chief, Major General Carlos Garcia, was arrested in April last year and is facing a court martial for allegedly taking kickbacks worth up to P303 million.

Ligot, however, cannot face a court martial since he has already retired. If found guilty, Ligot’s retirement benefits would be forfeited and he would be permanently barred from returning to government service.

The position of comptroller’s office has subsequently been abolished as part of a government crackdown on corruption in the military. Garcia was the first of several senior military officers to face graft charges.

The Ombudsman is also preparing corruption charges against a former military chief of staff, retired general Lisandro Abadia.

In 2003, President Arroyo promised military reforms after she survived a revolt by some 300 junior officers and men who accused their generals of pocketing huge amounts of money. — With AFP