The Aquino administration is prepared to defend the arrest of former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Carlos Garcia if it is questioned before the courts, the Palace said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III, as commander-in-chief of the AFP, merely affirmed the 2005 decision of the court martial.
“Confident tayo riyan. The president confirmed the decision of the court martial... Kailangan as commander-in-chief, he has to affirm the decision of the court-martial. Confident tayo it will stand scrutiny," she said on government-run dzRB radio.
Valte also said Aquino acted promptly on the court martial verdict.
“You can rest assured the time for the President to make the decision hindi ‘yan tumagal ng dalawang linggo," Valte said.
She added the decision had undergone a review by the AFP, Department of Justice, Judge Advocate General’s Office and Department of National Defense.
Garcia's options
Garcia’s custodians brought him to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City where he will serve a two-year prison term.
AFP Judge Advocate General Brig. Gen. Gilberto Roa said they expect Garcia’s camp to question his arrest before the courts. “There is no law preventing him from going to court but we are ready to face it," he said.
The court martial ruled that Garcia violated Articles of War 96, or conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman; and 97, or conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline when he misstated the value of his assets in 2002 and 2003 and withheld information on his status as permanent US resident while in active duty.
Garcia retired in November 2004. The court martial also ordered Garcia dishonorably discharged from the service and his benefits forfeited. — ELR
