Army chief ready for probe

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said yesterday he is willing to submit himself to further investigation on allegations that he was involved in alleged massive cheating during the May 2004 presidential election.

Speaking to reporters during the 109th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City yesterday, Esperon said that even before the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fact-finding body was created, he had already expressed his willingness to be investigated.

"Even before the AFP fact-finding body came out, I already invited myself to be able to clarify some issues. Kung sinasabi nila na nag-ikot ako (If they say I went around the poll stations), I admit it but that is because that was my duty then," he said.

Esperon said that as the AFP’s chief of operations and Task Force HOPE’s deputy chief during the May 2004 polls, "it was my duty to go around so that I could make the proper recommendations as provided for in the Constitution."

He added that Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz was right when he suggested that the military should be given fewer functions during the conduct of elections in order to prevent the institution from being tainted by politics.

Esperon was among several top AFP officials mentioned in the controversial "Hello, Garci" recordings, which purportedly contained wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and former Commission on Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

A fact-finding commission headed by Navy chief Vice Adm. Mateo Mayuga has already submitted its recommendation to the office of AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga.

Esperon denied that the delay in Senga’s issuance of a decision on the "Mayuga report" is causing restiveness in the military ranks.

"Some might get restive depending on their disposition. But (general) restiveness is another thing. I think it is not the right term for it," he said.

Despite the delay, Esperon said the Army remains united. "I could not ask for more from my commanders," he said.