Esperon willing to talk on Hello, Garci

MANILA, Philippines – Outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. expressed willingness yesterday to testify after his retirement regarding the so-called “Hello, Garci” scandal if the Senate would summon him to an investigation.

Esperon, however, maintained his innocence on his supposed involvement in the alleged rigging of votes in favor of President Arroyo during the 2004 presidential elections.

“Yes, we have always said that we believe in the democratic processes, democratic mechanisms. If I will be called to a hearing, I would attend if I find it reasonable, meaning I would be advised on what questions will be asked so that I could also prepare,” he said.

He said there is an ongoing debate on whether the rules of the hearing would be published or not and this could provide witnesses an opportunity to know how the inquiry would proceed.

“It is really something good if the rules would be known so that anybody who goes to any hearing would know what to say or do. As an officer of the Armed Forces, if it is a democratic process then I will go for it, we have always upheld the democratic processes, the rule of law,” he said.

But as of the moment, there are no fresh moves from the Senate to re-open the investigation on the alleged wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and former Commission on Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Esperon had denied involvement in any irregularity in the 2004 polls, saying that he was not responsible for the relief of then First Marine Brigade chief Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani from his unit in Lanao.

Gudani was among four military officials mentioned in the taped conversations, as he was said to have supported Mrs. Arroyo’s closest rival, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr.

Esperon said as deputy commander of Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections), he was not responsible for the relief of a commander in a certain area.

He said he was not even a member of the Board of Generals at the time, which would have given him license to do that.

The other generals mentioned in the tape were former Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko and then 1st infantry division chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon.