New Senate witness backs Rabusa testimony on AFP

A new witness of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on Monday affirmed the statements made by former military budget official Lt. Gen. George Rabusa on corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Meanwhile, the wife of accused ex-AFP comptroller Gen. Jacinto Ligot repeatedly refused to answer probing questions by senators, invoking her right against self-incrimination. Reading her affidavit to the committee, Perla Valerio, a retired budget officer of the AFP, said she was the one who prepared the documents for the release of the funds handed over to a succession of AFP chiefs of staff, including Gen. Angelo Reyes, who committed suicide last February 8. “Yung napag-uusapan na status ng PCDA (Provision for command directed activity) funds noong January hanggang May 2002 ay tutuo po dahil ako ang gumagawa nun para sa kaalaman at approval ng mga boss ko General Rabusa, J6, General Garcia at chiefs of staff Villanueva at Cimatu," she said. Valerio asked the committee to give her immunity from suits. “Ako po sana ay bibigay ng immunity sa ano mang nalabag na batas kapalit ng paglalahad ng nalalaman ko," she said. Rabusa had exposed the practice of giving "pabaon" or send-off money to outgoing military chiefs. Aside from the late Angelo Reyes, Rabusa claimed those who benefited from this practice include former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva (P160 million), and Roy Cimatu (P80 million). Ligot's wife refuses to answer Senators' questions As of posting time, the hearing continues with Mrs. Erlinda Ligot, the wife of former AFP comptroller Jacinto Ligot, refusing to answer questions of senators, including Jinggoy Estrada, who repeatedly insisted to Ligot that she shed light on US properties allegedly bought with ill-gotten wealth, among other charges. A visibly nervous Mrs. Ligot said she had taken Valium, a tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety, before she faced the committee. Her first appearance had been postponed after she had previously broken down in the Senate and was unable to testify. – VVP/HS, GMA News