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Public Affairs

The President's General


Episode on June 10, 2008 Tuesday night, after Saksi THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL Report by Jiggy Manicad He was one of the most controversial generals who served the military in his time. A four-star general who just bowed out of service as the Armed Forces' chief, Ret. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. became famous when he was implicated in the alleged massive electoral fraud in the 2004 presidential elections.He was called "Garci General" because of his alleged role in the "Hello, Garci" controversy. Recently in a website, his suspected role in the alleged rigged election results was discussed. Esperon is said to be close to the President, the longest serving military top-brass in Arroyo's term. After his retirement last month, another juicy post is being given to him as presidential adviser on the peace process. to the dismay of his critics. They claim Esperon will not be able to advance the issues of the peace process because it was under his watch as AFP chief when cases of human rights violations increased and the campaign against the rebels had been at its height. In a rare one-on-one interview, hear what Ret. Gen. Esperon has to say regarding the issues hurled against him. OUT-OF-SCHOOL Report by Maki Pulido As the new school year starts, millions of Filipino youth will not be going back to school. Despite programs to reduce the drop-out rate in the country, many have stopped studying. What are the reasons behind this and what is the government doing to solve the problem?
THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL Report ni Jiggy Manicad Isa siya sa pinakakontrobersiyal na heneral na naglingkod sa militar. Ang four-star general na kareretiro lang bilang hepe ng Hukbong Sandatahan na si Ret. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., nagsimulang maging maugong ang pangalan nang madawit sa sinasabing dayaan noong 2004 presidential elections. Binansagan siyang "Garci General" dahil sa kaniya umanong malaking papel sa "Hello, Garci" scandal. Kamakailan sa isang website, tinalakay ang umano'y papel niya sa sinasabing dayaan sa Sulu noong eleksyon. May ilang nagsasabing malapit sa Pangulo ang dating heneral, ang pinakamatagal na naglingkod bilang AFP chief sa termino ni Arroyo. Matapos magretiro noong nakaraang buwan, ibinibigay naman sa kaniya ngayon ang posisyon ng presidential adviser sa peace process. Marami ang tumutuligsa sa pagkahirang ni Esperon sa kaniyang bagong posisyon. Paano raw nito maisusulong ang usapin ng peace process sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng mga rebeldeng grupo kung noong panahon niya bilang AFP Chief sinasabing tumaas ang bilang ng mga biktima ng human rights violations at naging maigting ang kampanya laban sa mga rebelde? Kilalanin si Ret. Gen. Esperon sa isang ekslusibong panayam at alamin ang kaniyang sagot sa mga isyung ipinupukol sa kaniya. OUT-OF-SCHOOL Report ni Maki Pulido Nakatakda nang magbukas ang panibagong school year. Milyun-milyong mag-aaral ang muling dadagsa sa mga eskuwelahan. Ang malungkot, tinatayang mahigit tatlong milyong Pinoy ang hindi makapapasok. Bagamat may ilang programa ang pamahalaan para tugunan ang problema sa mataas na drop-out rate, marami pa rin ang hindi nakapag-aaral o kaya'y sapilitang humihinto. Ano ang mga dahilan at paano sinosolusyonan ang problemang ito?