More plunder admissions from Gen. Garcia's wife

She wanted back the $100,000 smuggled cash, seized from her sons in Dec. 2003 by US authorities at the San Francisco airport. In addition to a four-page handwritten statement (see Gotcha, 22 Dec. 2010), the wife of Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia swore by a four-page typewritten one. The aim was to convince the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement that she and Garcia, as Philippine military comptroller, owned the huge amount. In the process, she disclosed more of their plunder of Philippine state funds. Following is the second statement, verbatim:

“I, Clarita D. Garcia, date of birth December 3, 1950, swear that the following statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

“On or about December 19, 2003, I instructed my sons Juan Paulo D. Garcia and Ian Carl D. Garcia to bring cash in the amount of $100,000 into the U.S. from our home in the Philippines. I told both my sons to declare the money when entering the U.S. The money was to be used as earnest money toward a down payment for a condominium in New York City where my son Timothy would live while going to school. Timothy was paying rent in the amount of $3,000 per month to rent an apartment. My son Juan Paulo told me he didn’t declare the money because, ‘It was too much hassle.’ I always declare the money when I bring it into the U.S. I declared the money in 1993, in 1995 when I had a medical operation. I declared $100,000 on December 17, 2003. I also declared $200,000 in January 2003. My son Juan Paulo is a risk taker and is very spoiled.

“Source of Funds:

“My family’s income is from four sources, two corporations, a daycare school and my husband’s job as a Two Star General in the Philippine Military. My family has an 80% interest in the two corporations and we may earn a monthly income equivalent to $8,000. The daycare school brings in more money, perhaps $10,000 per month. However, based on the Philippine tax laws regarding both the corporations and daycare school, we are allowed to declare zero income. The income received from these businesses was not reported as a basis for tax liability. The two corporations IJT MANGO ORCHARD, INC. and IJT KATAMNAN CORP. were incorporated on March 22, 2002.

“My husband Carlos Garcia (Two Star General in the Armed Forces) was assigned to the Comptrollers Office until April 4, 2004. He receives a salary that is declared as income for tax purposes. In addition, Carlos receives travel money and expenses in excess of several thousands of dollars. I often travel with my husband on business and my travel, expenses and shopping money in excess of US$10,000 to $20,000 is provided to me. He also receives cash for travel and expenses from the businesses that are awarded contracts for military hardware. These businesses are in Europe and Asia. He also receives gifts and gratitude money from several Philippine companies that are awarded military contracts to build roads, bridges and military housing.

“As the comptroller, my husband handles all budgets for the armed forces. My husband prepared the budget for the armed forces based on the requests from each branch of the military. The budget is sent to the Secretary of National Defense and it is sent to the Senate for approval. The Armed Forces Committee reviews the each contractor’s bids. Once the bids are approved and the review committee has checked out the companies, my husband is the final signature for funding the contracts. The expense money, gratitude money and shopping money is not declared as income.

“My husband will always thank the person that provides the gratitude. If someone stops by the house with a gift or gratitude, my husband insists that their name and telephone number be taken so they may be called and personally thanked. As the wife of a general, I am afforded several privileges including a 4,000-gallon per month gasoline allowance, security detail and five drivers. I have a military cook that also provides piano music upon request.

“My husband’s position in the Armed Forces is one of privilege. The gratitude monies that he receives is common and unsolicited. Contracted companies and personnel from the different branches of the armed services are grateful for my husband’s assistance and timely payments for contracted work. In addition, I provided Agent Van Dyke with a four page handwritten statement that explains my husband’s job and our additional source of funds.”

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Tzu Chi founder Master Cheng Yen has commissioned 52 new leaders for the Philippines, among them Doctors Antonio Say, Robert Sy and Hui Sing Liu, and Li siblings Lili, Lizel, Lindsey and Lithium. The commissioner post comes after training in charity work and proven to be vice-less, and requires that they head more projects for the poor and afflicted.

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 “Love is most comforting not when it is said but when it is meant.” Shafts of Light, Fr. Guido Arguelles, SJ

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E-mail: [email protected]