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Thursday, April 13, 2006
Military generals cleared of poll rigging charge
MANILA -- Four military generals accused of cheating during the 2004 presidential elections were cleared of the charge by the officer investigating the allegation, an aide of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Wednesday.
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Mateo Mayuga, who used to be the Armed Forces inspector general, absolved the four military officials of the charges leveled against them in the report he submitted to Arroyo.
The Mayuga Report, named after the investigating officer, cleared Major General Gabriel Habacon, retired Brigadier General Francisco Gudani, Major General Hermogenes Esperon, and retired Major General Roy Kyamko of involvement in poll cheating activities. The four were mentioned in the alleged wiretapped conversation between Arroyo and former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Defensor said, however, that Mayuga recommended the conduct of a preliminary investigation on three other military officials, including a colonel who was not named, for possible election fraud. He also suggested the limiting of the military's functions during elections.
The military, said Mayuga in his report, should just act as a support group to the police.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Tuesday said the President allowed the release of the "Mayuga Report" after going over it.
Malaca�ang officials said there was no whitewash in the military investigation.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the administration has nothing to hide and is in fact hopeful that the release of the report would help put an end to the intrigues and speculations about the last elections.
"There is nothing to be defensive about in the military fact-finding report. With the President's order to make public the contents of the report, we hope that this would help end the intrigues intended to malign the President and divide our Armed Forces," added Bunye, who is also Presidential spokesman.
The military, however, has postponed the presentation of the contents of the "Mayuga Report" for unknown reasons. (JMR/Sunnex)
(April 13, 2006 issue)
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