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Friday, October 08, 2004
Criminal complaint lodged vs. general (3:30 p.m.)
MANILA -- A criminal complaint has been lodged against a general accused of massive corruption, the government ombudsman said Friday.
Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo ordered Army Major-General Carlos Garcia to explain in writing within 10 days why he should not be charged in court for corruption.
"Based on available records, the Office of the Ombudsman determined ... that the submitted evidence against Major-General Garcia is quite strong," said Marilyn Galvez, spokeswoman for the special prosecutor.
On Monday the armed forces suspended without pay Garcia, previously the military's top finance officer, for six months for allegedly making false declarations on his statements of assets and liabilities as well as "his increase in net worth (which) is disproportionate to his legitimate income."
Filipino authorities were alerted to Garcia's alleged graft when one of his sons was held at a US airport for failing to declare some 100,000 dollars he was carrying.
The military has said that Garcia's suspension was the first for a general "in contemporary times." (AFP) |
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