I started this, I'll finish it - Rabusa

MANILA, Philippines -  Former military budget officer and whistle-blower George Rabusa said yesterday he is determined to continue his exposés on anomalies in the Armed Forces of the Philippines even if these had already driven former AFP chief Angelo Reyes to commit suicide.

“I have started this, and I have to finish it,” Rabusa said in an interview. “I cannot believe that he committed suicide because he was a very strong man.”

Rabusa expressed sadness at the turn of events but said life must go on.

He said he would reveal in greater detail the roles of former aides of Reyes, and of former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu, in the anomalies in the next congressional hearing.

Rabusa also said he would no longer pursue the angle of Reyes’ possible involvement in plunder.

Rabusa said he respects the family’s appeal for him and other detractors not to visit the wake of the former military chief.

“ have no plans of attending. They might drive me away. Something might happen,” he said in Filipino.

“I am praying that he rest in peace. I wish his loved ones will find closure on this,” Rabusa said.

Earlier, Rabusa said he was not convinced that he was the reason Reyes ended his life.

“I did not kill him. He killed himself,” Rabusa said.

Rabusa said Reyes might have thought that committing suicide was the honorable way to save his family from further public humiliation.

On learning of Reyes’ death, Rabusa wept. He said he was very close to his former boss and his family, including Reyes’ mother Purificacion.

Rabusa said the thought of committing suicide also crossed his mind because of his own guilt.

“But I did not turn my back on this. That is the most honorable way to face these challenges,” Rabusa said.

Rabusa earlier claimed that Reyes received P50 million pabaon or sendoff gift upon his retirement from the military in 2001. He said he and former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot personally delivered the money to Reyes.

He also accused Villanueva and Cimatu as well as former military comptroller Carlos Garcia of dipping their hands into military funds.

His former assistant, Col. Antonio Ramon Lim, corroborated his exposé.

To Jinggoy’s defense

Meanwhile, former President Joseph Estrada defended yesterday his son, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, from insinuations that he was trying to get back at Reyes.

“Jinggoy’s conscience is clean. It (the investigation) was started by Rep. (Roilo) Golez in the House (of Representatives). Jinggoy did his own investigation as a responsible senator,” Estrada said.

“According to some, it (the pabaon system) has been there even before my time. It was just being kept secret by the comptroller,” Estrada said.

“I was shocked. He is a very strong-willed personality,” Estrada said on learning of Reyes’ suicide.

Estrada said that he and Reyes had already patched up their differences while he was still detained in Tanay, Rizal.

“We are already okay. He said sorry to me in a dinner with me while I was still detained in Tanay. He came with his wife. I told him should the president commit a mistake, will you return me to the presidency? We all laughed at my joke. He came to me apologetic,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he told Reyes to forget what happened in EDSA 2.

“Forget it. It’s in the past already. I told him he was my kumpadre. I was the wedding godfather of his son. That is why his wife Teresita came to the dinner,” Estrada said.

Estrada said that unlike Reyes, he remained strong during incarceration.

“I remained strong. I know I will vindicate my name later. (President) Cory (Aquino) publicly apologized later. Many repented. My name has been gradually vindicated. Angie (Reyes) said many in the military also repented after seeing the former president (Gloria Arroyo) run the government,” Estrada said. With Jose Rodel Clapano