Ex-military comptroller Garcia expelled as PMA alumnus

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) has expelled former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was convicted by a court martial for violations of the Articles of War.

The PMAAAI announced Garcia’s expulsion from its ranks through an article published in the latest edition of its official magazine The Cavalier.

The article said Garcia’s membership was terminated after President Aquino approved his conviction by the court martial for violating Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).

Aquino, also the military’s commander-in-chief, approved Garcia’s conviction on Sept. 9, 2011.

“The (PMAAAI) Board approved the termination of the membership of Garcia for acts inimical to the interest of the Philippine Military Academy and the PMAAAI,” the article read.

Garcia is a member of PMA Class 1971.

PMAAAI chairman Brig. Gen. Remy Tigulo said Garcia’s expulsion was in accordance with their rules of procedure.

The rules state that a member who has been convicted with finality of a crime involving “moral turpitude” is subject to expulsion.

“The Ethics and Membership committees of the association recommended the approval of the termination (of Garcia’s membership),” The Cavalier article read.

In 2005, the military court sentenced Garcia to two-year imprisonment and hard labor after it found him guilty of violating Articles of War 96 and 97.

The court martial said Garcia had made false statements under oath regarding his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

The ruling said Garcia did not declare all of his assets in 2002 and 2003 and withheld information on his status as a permanent US resident while still in active service.

The military tribunal also ordered him dismissed dishonorably from the service. It also called for the forfeiture of the benefits of Garcia, who retired in 2004.

The conviction was not enforced for almost six years since former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not confirm the military court’s ruling.

Rulings of the court martial can only be enforced once the president as commander-in-chief approves the order.

On Sept.16, Garcia was arrested by security forces and was detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to serve his sentence of two years in prison.

Aside from his court martial cases, Garcia is also facing plunder charges at the Sandiganbayan for allegedly amassing about P303 million while he was in service.

He was detained in Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame for more than six years starting in 2004 while the courts were hearing his cases.