US action vs Ligots lauded

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang lauded yesterday the move of the United States to turn over to the Philippine government $132,000 in forfeited assets of retired Armed forces comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda.

The Palace said the turnover should send a strong signal that the administration is serious in its anti-corruption campaign and is getting much-needed cooperation.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said the amount might not be that big but the swift action of the US authorities was very significant for the government’s anti-corruption drive.

Carandang said this showed the American government’s trust in the current administration.

“We know that the Ligots are denying that (the assets are) theirs but based on what the US authorities are saying, those were ill-gotten,” Carandang said.

Carandang said they were grateful to the US government for its willingness to assist in the anti-corruption drive of the Philippines.

He explained the money would be returned either to the national treasury or the agency from where the money was taken.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. also thanked the US government for turning over the forfeited assets of the Ligots in response to a request that was made by the Philippine government.

“We consider this development the first of its kind in the history of our Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), a reflection of the United States’ commitment to help President Aquino act decisively against corruption and help our government punish those who have stolen from the coffers of our people,” he stressed.

Ochoa considered the recent development as a vote of confidence for the Philippine government, noting that the US action is a significant step toward the resolution of the case filed against the Ligots.

The executive secretary also said they were hopeful that this would pave the way for further cooperation between the two countries in stepping up initiatives to crack down on laundered money and double government efforts to recover ill-gotten wealth.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. announced on Thursday the turnover of the check representing the assets to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The Philippine government made a request before the US government in 2009 pursuant to the MLAT to scrutinize real estate assets of Mrs. Ligot.

The properties allegedly owned by the Ligots, which surfaced during the Senate inquiry, included houses in Anaheim, California and Stanton Avenue, Buena Park also in California, as well as houses in Makati City and Cabernet Circle.

AFP hails US support

The military hailed yesterday as a “significant development” the turning over by the US to the Philippine government of $132,000 worth of proceeds from the sale of a property owned by the Ligots in California.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the turnover reflected the commitment of various institutions to address corruption.

“This is a significant development as far as the case against the Ligots is concerned. It clearly manifests the cooperation and concern of institutions in fighting corruption,” Mabanta said.

He maintained that the AFP is “solidly behind every endeavor” to curb anomalies and to prevent abusive practices.

Mabanta said they are continuously improving existing military systems to promote transparency and accountability.

“(The AFP will) continue to implement reforms within the military establishment, particularly in resource and financial management,” he said.

Mabanta claimed that the turnover of Ligot’s assets would discourage anomalies in the armed forces.

Last month, a Department of National Defense (DND) panel formed to probe military corruption during the previous administration called for the appointment of civilians in AFP offices doing finance-related tasks.

Officials said the proposal seeks to promote checks and balance in the military’s procurement and financial system.

DND spokesman Eduardo Batac has said that the recommendation would help unmask irregularities and allow officers to focus on their military duties.

Senior military officers now supervise the Office of the Internal Auditor, Resource Management Office, and Management Fiscal office.

De Lima said the turnover was “a proud moment” for the Philippines, noting that it involved the return to state coffers “a part of what has been plundered from it.” She said there are ongoing requests for the return of other assets owned by the Ligots.

The California property was located at 7102 Stanton Ave. in Buena Park and was not declared in Ligot’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Mrs. Ligot reportedly bought the property on June 8, 2004 for $599,500. The property was ordered forfeited and sold for $132,000 in December 2005. With Alexis Romero