Tiglao, general linked to summary executions get CA nod

The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the appointment of President Arroyo’s former chief of staff Rigoberto Tiglao as ambassador to Greece and approved the promotion of 24 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Tiglao will hold concurrent jurisdiction over Cyprus.

One of the most controversial of the AFP nominees, Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. was finally confirmed following numerous hearings and varied opposition to his promotion.

Palparan has been hounded by allegations of human rights violations in several areas where he was assigned, particularly in Luzon.

The opposition was raised mostly by militant groups led by Bayan Muna, which claimed that Palparan was behind the execution of their members in his areas of command.

Senators Sergio Osmeña III and Joker Arroyo and Bataan Rep. Antonino Roman entered negative votes on the confirmation of Palparan during yesterday’s CA meeting.

According to Osmeña, "evidence is substantial that human rights violations tend to increase" wherever Palparan is assigned.

He added that his actions would be closely monitored by Congress in light of his human rights record.

Another controversial officer, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, was also confirmed yesterday but only after almost an hour of questioning by Osmeña.

Teodosio was accorded "special treatment" by the CA courtesy of Osmeña, as the grilling was done following the confirmation of his 23 colleagues from the AFP.

Osmeña questioned Teodosio on his supposed statements against the CA after a hearing on his promotion last October.

Teodosio reportedly expressed contempt over the questions raised by the members of the CA about the issue of one of his subordinates, Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani, in relation to alleged electoral fraud in the Lanao provinces.

At the time, Teodosio was commander of the Philippine Marines and allegedly had something to do with the recall of Gudani to Manila while he was head of Task Force Ranao in Lanao at the height of the election period.

During the Senate inquiry into the wiretapping issue, allegations were made that massive cheating occurred in Lanao at the time Gudani was recalled to Manila.

Gudani testified that he was not given an explanation as to why he was asked to go to Manila at a critical period.

He also told the Senate that it was Teodosio who met him upon his arrival and who told him to go to Boracay and play golf for a while.

Teodosio explained that he was in the dark over the recall of Gudani and that he was merely instructed by Rear Admiral Ernesto de Leon to escort Gudani upon his arrival in Manila.

He admitted that there were rumors prior to the elections that Gudani was going to be relieved of his post as head of Task Force Ranao but he aired his objections to the alleged plan because of Gudani’s good track record.

Teodosio said that he believed local politicians in Lanao were behind the move to remove Gudani from his post as they were feeling uncomfortable because Gudani was seen playing golf with former Gen. Gregorio Camiling who ran for congressman in Lanao.

Osmeña refused to accept Teodosio’s explanation that he was unaware of the reason behind Gudani’s recall and told him to appear before future hearings of the Senate on the wiretapping controversy.

The other officers confirmed by the CA are Lt. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, Maj. Generals Roberto Sylim, Horacio Tolentino and Renato Miranda, Rear Admiral Alfredo Abueg Jr., Brigadier Generals Pedro Curva, Nehemias Pajarito, Francisco Villa Jr., Gilbert Llanto, Alfredo Ramirez, Cyrano Austria, Daniel Casabar Jr. and Jaime Buenaflor;

Commodore Edgar Ignacio, Colonels Ignacio Obligacion, Fidel Francis Pumihic, Eufemio Domingo, Rustico Guerrero, Romeo Santiago Nebres, Januario Caringal, Gerardo Pagcaliuangan and Fred Payawan.

The CA also confirmed the appointments of Foreign Service Officers II Angelo Amonoy and Jerome John Castro and Career Minister Leah Basinang-Ruiz.