By Ronron
April 28, 2005
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu hinted on Thursday his “approval” on the recommendation of military investigators to charge former AFP Chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago of graft-related cases at the Ombudsman.
In a chance interview, Abu told reporters that his job as far as matters concerning the AFP’s Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) is “ministerial.”
The OESPA has forwarded to Abu last March 21 its recommendation to refer Santiago’s case to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation.
Military investigators have concluded that Santiago, who is now a director at the Dangerous Drugs Board, violated Articles of War 95 (Frauds Against the Government) in relation to Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The case stemmed from Santiago’s mistake of depositing an eight-million peso check intended for the renovation of the AFP Commissioned Officers Country (AFPCOC) swimming pool to his personal bank account after his retirement.
Santiago deposited the check in June 2003, almost two months since he retired on April 8, 2003.
“It’s already up to the Ombudsman who is tasked to investigate the case,” Abu said.
Asked if he will be forwarding soon the case, the AFP chief replied: “That is what’s going to happen. We’re already outside of it.”/DMS
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