Senators declared on Thursday that the fight against military fund scandal does not end with the death of former AFP chief Angelo Reyes.
A former soldier Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, said that the lawmakers had all the rights and authority to investigate and identify who greatly benefited from the military fund irregularities.
“The money involve is so big enough that only Malacañang has the capability to release that level of amount,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes mentioned last few weeks ago and named Reyes as the alleged protector or “padrino” of former AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia of all military illegitimate transactions allegedly over P300-million illegally acquired wealth of Garcia while he was active in the service. “I believe, not only Reyes is to be blamed,” added Trillanes.
“I learned from the emissary of Reyes that the late General Reyes admitted that there are transactions above p(–foul word(s) removed–)ing through him,” he said. If General Carlos Garcia got this much, then absolutely those in the higher rank than him got the more” he added.
“We will continue to discover all the mysteries behind this until we know who financially took advantage of the people,” he said.
When Senator Trillanes was asked if they will pursue investigations against the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in the sense that the alleged military fund scandal was happened during her term? Senator Trillanes replied, “It’s not far-fetched. Wherever it takes to get there we have it.”
However, Senator Trillanes admitted that so far he has nothing solid evidence to link former President Arroyo to the military fund scandal.
In senate, there are criticisms in the part of senators for their attitude of sometimes being aggressive and abrasive toward the witnesses and resource persons.
There is no need to say sorry for doing their jobs, Senators said.
“I am not yet prepared for public apology. If there are short coming done by any senate member, let the people judge them and let the media rebuke them, said Senator Juan Ponce Enrile senate president.
