Cimatu denies getting pabaon

MANILA, Philippines -  Special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu categorically denied allegations that he received military funds illegally when he served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.

Cimatu arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport the other night from an official trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East.

In a statement he read at the airport, he “categorically denied” that he received any funds for his “personal use or aggrandizement” or the so-called pabaon or sendoff money during his term as AFP chief from May to September 2002.

“I will not dignify this allegation, nor will I second guess the motivations of those who are coming out with these almost a decade after the fact,” he said.

Cimatu arrived on United Arab Emirates flight EK 332 last Tuesday night.

He said that he was on a two-week mission to various areas in Afghanistan where close to 4,000 overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) are employed.

Cimatu said he was also coordinating with various Filipino associations in the Middle East as part of the continuing assessment of the situation in various countries where more than 1 million OFWs live and work.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) told him to defer his scheduled trips to Lebanon and Egypt.

“All I can say is that I welcome the opportunity to clear the air and I am ready to face any investigation to get to the bottom of these allegations anytime,” Cimatu added.

He also said that was all he can say at this time, since he has been invited to appear before the committees at the Senate and House of Representatives.

“I will have the opportunity after the hearing to share more information with our people, the better to ferret out the real, untarnished truth, spare the innocent from getting dragged into the fray and restore the honor and dignity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the men and women who have made and continue to make this great institution a bulwark of democracy,” Cimatu said.

He refused to comment when reporters asked about the suicide of former defense secretary and AFP chief Angelo Reyes, saying that he still does not know the whole story.

Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte even said the Philippine embassy in Cairo, Egypt could effectively start the repatriation of Filipino workers in case trouble breaks out in Egyptian cities as a result of the ongoing protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

“We are confident (that the embassy can do its job without Ambassador Cimatu). In fact, the second batch that availed of voluntary repatriation has already arrived,” Valte said.

Two batches of 58 OFWs were repatriated from Egypt last weekend.

“Tension in Egypt has subsided and thus Cimatu no longer needs to go there as the consulate is managing the concerns of our countrymen,” she added.

Palace won’t interfere with Senate probe

Malacañang will not interfere with Cimatu’s appearance before the congressional investigation on anomalies in the AFP.

“He’s fully aware of the Senate proceedings. If he is summoned to the Senate, there will be no Executive Order 464 to stop him,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, referring to the executive order issued by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that banned her officials from attending congressional inquiries.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. gave the same assurances and said that President Aquino does not prevent Cabinet members and other government officials from attending public hearings in the House and Senate.

Ochoa reiterated the government’s call for members of the military, including Cimatu, to cooperate with ongoing investigations into the allegations of corruption in the AFP.

The DFA recalled Cimatu because the repatriation of Filipinos in Egypt can be managed well enough.

“The DFA deemed it is not necessary for him to go there anymore,” Lacierda said.

“There has not been a major change and the Filipino nationals are being addressed properly by the increased staff in the Philippine embassy in Egypt,” the spokesman added. With Delon Porcalla