AFP now the center of graft investigations

We always read all the newspapers everyday. Yesterday almost all the headlines had something to do with graft in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Four typical headlines read: Gloria’s lack of political will blamed for AFP woes; General in P366-million case; Independent audit of AFP proposed; Generals, legislators linked to AFP graft. We can’t help wonder whether this is an actual development or some group is out to discredit the AFP. The important thing specially for members of the press is to always remain objective.

It is very obvious that the main target is Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. What matters is to investigate all complaints that are presented with proper evidence that will stand in court. Then those that have a basis should be elevated to the proper venue, meaning either court martial or our civil courts.

It is true that President Macapagal-Arroyo is the AFP Commander-in-Chief. But it is unfair to conclude that "all the blame for problems on leadership within the military ranks should fall on President Arroyo". Last week, the AFP announced the suspension of former AFP comptroller and chief for plans and programs, for misdeclaration of his statement of assets and liabilities. His net worth is said to be totally out of proportion to his income. The fact that he is being investigated during the incumbency of President Arroyo should clearly show that the Arroyo administration is not tolerating graft in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A newspaper headlined the case of Armed Forces Gen. Jose Remiscal, Jr., former chief of the Retirement and Separation Benefits system, and said that Remiscal was supposed to leave for Washington, DC yesterday to visit an 80-year old sister who suffered a stroke. What they questioned was why he was allowed to leave despite the fact that he had 39 pending criminal cases before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly absconding P366 million of the military’s retirement fund.

All this is fine. But we should be thanking, not condemning the Arroyo administration for exposing and investigating these cases. We should also add that we must always keep in mind that in our system of justice, a person is always presumed innocent till proven guilty. What is important is that all accused have their day in court.

Retired Commodore Rex Robles has accused two generals and three current Cabinet officials of being under investigation by the United States government on allegedly amassing ill-gotten wealth and violating the Money Laundering Act. Malacañang has asked Robles to name the officials involved so that they could immediately be prosecuted. It added that such action could prevent further dissatisfaction among the military rank and file. Malacañang claims that the United States government has yet to inform it officially of these cases.

If anything, we believe that the Arroyo administration should be praised for investigating all the exposures on graft and corruption that have been leveled against top officials of the AFP. We must say that so far we see no evidence of government attempts to coverup such exposures. What is vital to all these cases is their being properly investigated and elevated to the proper courts, if they so warrant.