Cimatu denies receiving 'pabaon,' ready to face probe

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Roy Cimatu denied receiving millions of pesos as "pabaon" (sendoff gift) upon his retirement from the military, even as he said he is ready to face an investigation into the matter. Radio dzBB reported Wednesday Cimatu made the denial as he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from the Middle East past 10 p.m. Tuesday night. Cimatu, special envoy to the Middle East, was instructed to return to the country. He arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai. The report quoted Cimatu as saying he is ready to face an investigation on the matter to end the controversy once and for all. Last Thursday, former AFP fund manager retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa told a Senate hearing Cimatu received a P80-million pabaon upon his retirement. Cimatu had been sent to Egypt to check on the situation of Filipinos there amid protests against President Hosni Mubarak, but the mission was called off. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday it has enough people on the ground assisting Filipinos in Egypt, but did not say if the cancellation of Cimatu's mission was because of the controversy over alleged irregularities in the use of the AFP funds. In past weeks, witnesses in congressional hearings had claimed former AFP chiefs of staff may have received huge amounts of money in "pasalubong" (welcome) and pabaon. — LBG, GMA News