Loren, Corpus square off over coup allegation

Controversial Armed Forces civil relations chief Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus will face off with Sen. Loren Legarda at the Senate in its first hearing today over his statements linking the lawmaker to the recently aborted coup.

Corpus, the erstwhile chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), is scheduled to appear today at the hearing that will focus on the circumstances behind the failed rebellion initiated by a group of Army officers last week.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said Corpus should explain his earlier allegations linking Legarda to the failed coup attempt and branding the lawmaker as a "political prostitute."

Corpus had earlier linked Legarda to the coup plot because of her meeting with controversial civil society leader Pastor "Boy" Saycon, who was also accused of spearheading moves to overthrow the government. Saycon allegedly helped out a group of Army officers calling themselves "Kawal" (soldier), who denounced the "politicization of the military."

Although he was reprimanded by AFP chief Gen. Narciso Abaya over his statements, Corpus declared he would not issue a public apology to Legarda.

He also refused to comment on why he issued such statement against the senator last Sunday.

To avoid dragging the Armed Forces into politics, Corpus said he will remain quiet for the meantime on the goods he allegedly gathered against the opposition vice- presidential candidate, which became the basis for his controversial remark.

Biazon said the Senate investigation will determine if Corpus was motivated by national security issues or partisan politics in making the statements against Legarda.

"General Corpus must explain his accusations against Legarda and show proof to substantiate his allegations not only because she is a senator of the Republic who holds a position of high esteem, trust and responsibility to the public, but especially because she is a candidate in the forthcoming national elections for the second highest position in the land," Biazon said.

Opposition spokesman Miguel Romero said Corpus should be charged with libel and for violating election laws, pointing out that since Corpus is in active duty in the military, he should refrain from engaging in partisan politics.