AFP favors reopening of ‘Hello, Garci’ probe

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is open to the suggested re-opening of the investigation of the supposed cheating in the 2004 elections that the Arroyo administration allegedly did with the help of several ranking military officials. At a press briefing Monday, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta said a new investigation would be “healthy" as it could erase the “cloud of doubt" that marred the results of the military probe of the issue. “There is still a cloud of doubt on the Mayuga or the Garci issue and I think it will be healthy because once and for all, everything on this issue will be put aside and laid to rest," said Mabanta. The suggestion came from former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who led two attempts to overthrow the Arroyo administration — one on February 2006 and another on November 2007 — citing corruption and legitimacy issues. Three now-retired generals – Hermogenes Esperon, Roy Kyamko and Gabriel Habacon – reportedly took part in the cheating to ensure the victory of then presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The names came out in the controversial “Hello, Garci" tapes — the wiretapped phone conversation between a woman believed to be Arroyo and a man believed to be then Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. [See "Hello, Garci" time line here.] The officers were cleared by a military fact-finding board formed in 2005 to look into the allegations. The five-member panel was headed by Vice Adm. Mateo Mayuga, the inspector general and Philippine Navy chief who has since retired. The report by the panel was never made public Mabanta said another investigation on the issue will also give the officers linked to the cheating to clear their names. “We look at this as an opportunity at least for those who are accused to clear their names. I’m sure they will be happy, more than happy, if really they are not involved, to clear their names," Mabanta also said. Mabanta said it would be up to higher authorities to decide whether the case should be reopened. “Remember, the Armed Forces moves if given orders. If they say that we re-open it, then we will do it and open our facilities as required by courts," he said. Mabanta also said that the military is in favor of releasing the Mayuga report to public. “Hopefully, they will bring it in the open so once and for all (so that) the issue would laid to rest," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV