Miriam says brother not involved in AFP corruption

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Wednesday said that as far as she knows, her brother — retired General Benjamin Defensor — was not involved in the alleged corrupt practices in the military when he was the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2002. "As far as I know he has not received anything," Santiago told Senate reporters in an interview. But in the event evidence is presented against her brother before the Senate, the feisty senator quickly said she will inhibit from the proceedings. "I’ll tell him, 'just tell the truth.Kapag ginawa mo, aminin mo. Wala tayong magagawa (If you did it, admit it. We can't do anything about that)," Santiago said. Last week, former military budget officer George Rabusa appeared before the Senate blue ribbon committtee and alleged that AFP chiefs of staff receive around P5 million monthly while in position and millions of pesos more in pabaon (sendoff money) when they retire. Defensor, who is from the Air Force and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1969, served as AFP chief from Sept. 10, 2002 to Nov. 28, 2002. But Santiago laughed at the thought of her brother being involved in such payoffs. "Nanghihiram pa nga sa akin iyan kasi (He even borrows money from me because) I’m older. He is only living in AFPOVAI Village," she said. Santiago, meanwhile, said that she hasn't talked to her brother for a while. "My siblings and I are so busy... we don’t even see each other. If I see him today I would have to take a second look to see if he is really my brother," she said. In stressing that she will not defend her brother if it turns out that he was involved in the alleged corrupt practices in the military, Santiago said: "He should be treated like all other chiefs of staff are being treated." — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV