Solon bats top-to-bottom probe of AFP payola

Rep. Winnie Castelo of 2nd District, Quezon City sounded call that a high-profile form of corruption must have infested the entire military organization from top to bottom with the recent revelation of the P50 million ‘send off’ money received by former AFP Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes.

“It is grossly unconscionable that this huge amount of taxpayers’ money can be slashed from the military budget to line the pockets of our military officers beginning with the highest ranking general in the hierarchy down to his vice, deputy, and joint staff without being disallowed by the Commission on Audit”, the QC solon strongly pointed out.

“If this is true, it logically follows that apart from the AFP Chief of Staff, all the Commanding Generals of the Army or Air Force as well as the Flag Officer of the Navy do also receive this payola in proportionate amounts. A monthly P5 million payola alone for a Chief of Staff is already shockingly anomalous if not downright immoral”, Castelo said.

According to the administration lawmaker, it is a good thing that no less than P-Noy took serious cognizance of the problem consistent with his espousal that good governance is anchored on the concept of a social contract popularized in his signature punch – “kayo ang boss, ko”.

“Thus if push turns to shove, it would be best that some concrete steps be taken. First, allow a congressional committee be convened to conduct full-dressed investigation. Second, key informants like Colonel Rabusa should be placed in the Witness Protection Program so he can become state witness. Third, issue a ‘Hold-Departure-Order’ to prevent those to be held accountable from living the country until after the congressional inquiry is completed”, Castelo urged.

According to Castelo, nothing should stop Congress to likewise conduct a top-to-bottom inquiry into the case of the Chief of Philippine National Police and the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard since all these uniformed services and the AFP have similar administrative and operational organizational structure. “Once and for all, let us start cleansing the armed departments by letting no stone unturned”, Castelo finally asked. 30