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MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) A general who previously served as executive assistant of former Armed Forces chief Roy Cimatu on Friday admitted receiving millions of pesos from whistle-blower George Rabusa, but insisted that it was done aboveboard.
Speaking at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Brigadier General Benito de Leon said Rabusa gave him P10 million in cash “several times” in 2002 when he was still Cimatu’s executive assistant.
In his previous testimony at the Senate, Rabusa referred to executive assistants of military senior officials as “bagmen,” or persons who received monthly payola from the Armed Forces comptrollership office.
“I categorically deny that [former] General Roy Cimatu had received this so-called pabaon or pasalubong,” De Leon said in his opening statement to the committee.
However, Rabusa said, the statement of De Leon, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1981), was “a total lie.”
“I know you are my mistah, so please,” Rabusa told De Leon.
Then the Armed Forces budget officer, Rabusa said De Leon asked him to provide additional P10 million on top of the monthly P5 million that Cimatu’s office was regularly receiving then.
Rabusa’s statement was corroborated by his former deputy, Colonel Antonio Lim.
Replying to questions by Senator Frank Drilon, De Leon admitted that he was not an “accountable officer” despite the millions of pesos in public funds that he had been receiving.
Earlier in the day, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada insisted that his decision to bring in Rabusa was not meant to get back at the late former defense secretary military chief Angelo Reyes.
“I now would like to put to rest and correct this misimpression against me that I presented Colonel George Rabusa as a personal vendetta,” he said in an opening statement. “It was farthest from my mind.”
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked his colleagues “to be very careful in dealing with this problem, given the fact that there are people out there, spectators are watching us with different motivations, strategies, objectives that could impair the unity, cohesion and future of our country.”
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, committee chairman, assured resource persons present at the hearing that they would be given an equal opportunity to speak during the session.
“Everyone who wishes to speak will be given a chance to speak,” he said. “If you wish to speak, please raise your hand. The chair will acknowledge you.”
Reyes shot himself last February 8 and his death was blamed on Estrada and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who as a former Navy officer, led two uprisings against military corruption. He was jailed for seven years and availed of the amnesty granted by President Benigno Aquino III to rebel officers and soldiers.
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Speaking at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Brigadier General Benito de Leon said Rabusa gave him P10 million in cash “several times” in 2002 when he was still Cimatu’s executive assistant.
In his previous testimony at the Senate, Rabusa referred to executive assistants of military senior officials as “bagmen,” or persons who received monthly payola from the Armed Forces comptrollership office.
“I categorically deny that [former] General Roy Cimatu had received this so-called pabaon or pasalubong,” De Leon said in his opening statement to the committee.
However, Rabusa said, the statement of De Leon, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1981), was “a total lie.”
“I know you are my mistah, so please,” Rabusa told De Leon.
Then the Armed Forces budget officer, Rabusa said De Leon asked him to provide additional P10 million on top of the monthly P5 million that Cimatu’s office was regularly receiving then.
Rabusa’s statement was corroborated by his former deputy, Colonel Antonio Lim.
Replying to questions by Senator Frank Drilon, De Leon admitted that he was not an “accountable officer” despite the millions of pesos in public funds that he had been receiving.
Earlier in the day, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada insisted that his decision to bring in Rabusa was not meant to get back at the late former defense secretary military chief Angelo Reyes.
“I now would like to put to rest and correct this misimpression against me that I presented Colonel George Rabusa as a personal vendetta,” he said in an opening statement. “It was farthest from my mind.”
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked his colleagues “to be very careful in dealing with this problem, given the fact that there are people out there, spectators are watching us with different motivations, strategies, objectives that could impair the unity, cohesion and future of our country.”
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, committee chairman, assured resource persons present at the hearing that they would be given an equal opportunity to speak during the session.
“Everyone who wishes to speak will be given a chance to speak,” he said. “If you wish to speak, please raise your hand. The chair will acknowledge you.”
Reyes shot himself last February 8 and his death was blamed on Estrada and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who as a former Navy officer, led two uprisings against military corruption. He was jailed for seven years and availed of the amnesty granted by President Benigno Aquino III to rebel officers and soldiers.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]