Are you inclined to believe reports of widespread corruption in the military?

ROMEO CAUBAT, MASBATE: No, because these are mere allegations yet, unless due process is observed and proven beyond reasonable doubt by a court of competent jurisdiction.

JUN MONTEBON, PARAÑAQUE CITY: It’s easy to believe that there is corruption, not just in the military, but also in almost all government offices. All that is needed is to open one’s eyes. 

Lifestyle check

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: I believe there is widespread corruption in the military because our soldiers and police officers are equipped with below-standard weapons and uniforms. Most high-ranking military officers own big lands and mansions. Some of them own big business establishments and travel abroad frequently.

Limited budget

Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: Not only inclined, but I sincerely believe that corruption in the military is widespread, rampant and an acceptable norm for some AFP top brass down to the rank-and-file soldiers. Since the time of Pres. Marcos, corruption has become a way of life. The sophistication of corrupt practices is such that the corrupt project an enviable image. Mas maraming nanakaw, mas nakakabilib. Our family is (un)lucky enough to share to the AFP and Phil. government two enlisted combat-weary army soldiers who always request my worn-out safety construction shoes to replace their more dilapidated combat shoes. Their standard reply is, “No supply of new combat boots, etc. because of limited military budget”.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Yes, it’s evident from the lack of improvements in our military infrastructure, our troopers’ niggardly rations, pay and gear, and the AFP scandals.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The practice has been in existence even before. Good thing it was exposed by some courageous men in uniform in the Armed Forces. The big bulk of our annual budget goes to combatting insurgency, and yet the Abu Sayyaf are happily lurking in their comfort lair. Worse, guns and ammunitions from our weaponry are traced from the position of the enemy, evidently sold.

Corruption is everywhere

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: It’s like asking, “Is the Pope Catholic?” Corruption is not only in the military, it is in every department of this government. There is also corruption in the church.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: The military is not alone in corruption. This menace is everywhere in our government. Malaking hamon ito kay P-Noy.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Yes, it is obvious that widespread corruption is happening in the military, but the same is true everywhere - government or private institutions, and even the church. The corrupt are easy to spot for they spend more than their licit earnings. Where else would the money come from?

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Widespread corruption in our society is undeniable, but the military is the least expected to be infected because of its honor code of conduct. However, despite their training, corruption in the military is widespread. While corruption consisted only of favoritism and nepotism in the past, now it is enormous stealing from the military coffers at the expense of foot soldiers and effective defense against lawlessness.

Pitts Hizon, Pampanga: Yes, widespread corruption is everywhere, not only in the military. Why not investigate other institutions, too?

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: I believe that widespread corruption is not only in the military, but also in other agencies where COA resident auditors fail to curb the practice.

Larry Parroco, Quezon City: Corruption does not happen only in the military. Halos sa lahat ng sanga ng ating gobyerno ay merong corruption.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, and corruption in the military as well as in other government agencies is not new. Worse, we also have a corrupted culture.

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: It’s very obvious considering what is being exposed in the Senate right now. It’s not in the military alone, but everywhere in our government. That’s the reason for P-Noy’s “matuwid na daan” advocacy. Since Marcos time pa itong corruption na ito. Doon nagsimula ang katapangang mangurakot ng mga government officials at military natin.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: I’m not only inclined, but I believe that there is widespread corruption in the AFP. This is as old as the Marcos era, and is now a tradition.

June Deoferio, Cavite: Yes, it has been a tradition ever since the time of the late Pres. Marcos.

David Devera Aman, Metro Manila: It’s everywhere. Paano nila nasisikmura ipakain at ibigay ang rangya sa buhay sa pamilya nila? Simula ibaba hanggang pinakataas, sino ang malinis?

Who is without sin

Rene Atienza, Metro Manila: Lahat ng government agency ay may corruption. Iyong mga nag-a-accuse, kayo ba ay malinis, di ba corrupt rin?

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Not only in the military but corruption has already metastasized in the whole government bureaucracy. The ongoing Senate probe about the issue, if it yields tangible results, is a good step towards P-Noy’s “tuwid na daan”. The question is, are the probers credible enough when they are seemingly afflicted with the same disease? As the adage goes, “Who will guard the guards?”

Rotten to the core

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Inclined. I look at it more like a car, all shiny outside but all rusted up inside. It’ll need sandblasting to take all the rust out.

Obvious ba?

Melvin Calimag, Manila: Huh? Di pa ba obvious? Susmaryosep naman ang question na ‘yan.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: They used to be just rumors. Like fighting in Mindanao won’t end because that’s how the top brass in the army make money. If there is fighting, funds continue to flow to buy equipment, arms and salaries of soldiers, and so would “commissions”. Meanwhile, soldiers make do with cheap uniforms. Brand-new armalites are sold for P10,000 to P20,000 apiece. After the testimonies of Col. Rabusa, Lim, Heidi Mendoza and Gen. Angelo Reyes’ suicide, how can one not conclude the existence of widespread corruption in the army?

Jay Inodio-an, Metro Manila: Oo naman, kumbinsidong-kumbinsido, kahit noong wala pang nagbunyag e halatang-halata naman na may korapsyon sa loob ng militar.

Oscar Gabaon, Quezon City: Nonsense! Obvious naman eh!

Tess Caalim, Antipolo City: Absolutely, I believe there is widespread corruption in the military.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: He he, that’s an old story. Nothing new, kaya no asenso. Only a few are benefited, dami dorobo kasi.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Corruption anywhere else is hard to see from the perspective of an insider. I’m an outsider and corruption is very clear from my vantage point of view.

Where there is smoke…

Mike Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Yes, I believe there’s widespread corruption. Now that blood has spilled with the tragic death of former AFP chief Angelo Reyes, the nasty shenanigans are all coming out in the open. It seems like the unwanted confirmation of all our suspicions that massive corruption happened during the term of GMA.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: There are many indications that widespread corruption in the military is happening. The arrest in the US of the sons of former AFP comptroller, Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, for unlawfully bringing in $100,000 sparked the fire. It conflagrated with the declaration of his wife, Mrs. Clarita Garcia, that he had been receiving kickbacks from military suppliers. The findings of state auditor, Heidi Mendoza, showed anomalies in the AFP financial affair that was later confirmed by ret. Lt. Col. George Rabuza who admitted being a part of the AFP mafia. The evasion of former AFP comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot from answering questions at the Senate Blue Ribbon investigation about their knowledge in the AFP financial irregularities raised more suspicions of their wrongdoings than proving their innocence. Former COA Chief Guillermo Carrague should also be investigated for dereliction of duty, if not involvement in the questionable performances of many state auditors.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes, listening to the exposé of Rabusa, Lim and Mendoza makes me shudder at their revelations. I believe that the AFP is graft-ridden.

Elizabeth Oxmer, Negros Occidental: With all the investigations, yes. I pray that corruption in all government agencies may diminish in my lifetime.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Yes, I believe the exposé of retired officers Rabusa and Lim and auditor Mendoza. I hope the investigation will go on despite Gen. Reyes’ suicide.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I am really inclined to believe reports of widespread corruption in the military. The testimonial evidence presented by Rabusa, Mendoza and Lim are believable. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Eric Gopilan, Parañaque City: Yes, I positively believe so. It is only now that the anomaly has been exposed to the public.

Ella Arenas, Pangsinan: Yes, I believe that corruption in the military is rampant. I can hardly believe that AFP generals committed massive corruption with their cohorts.

There will be blood

Cris Rivera, Rizal: I am. The suicidal death of former AFP Chief A. Reyes is an indispensable hint. Corruption, the bane of good leadership, does exist in the AFP.

Let’s move forward

Dr Francis Regalado, Muntinlupa City: The unexplained wealth of the AFP officials on the one hand, and the ghastly living conditions of the foot soldiers and employees of AFP on the other speak volumes of corruption in the military. Hopefully, in light of the recent events, political will from the President will get the corrupt in jail. Let’s move this country forward.

Ronald Nacion, Leyte: Sana mawala na ang corruption sa Pinas, maawa naman kayong mga nakaupo.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Records don’t lie. Unless the government acts swiftly to cure this alleged tradition in the AFP, life in the Philippines will still be in a sorry state. Let goodness prevail in our land.

Where has conscience gone?

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Widespread corruption in the military was exposed by the Magdalo group, pero nakulong pa sila ng matagal. Pag may namatay na sundalo, sangkatutak na hirap bago makamit ang benepisyo. Ang heneral, milyon ang pasalubong, milyon din pabaon, may monthly allowance pa. Quo vadis, conscience?

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Given the developments, I am inclined to believe. What is puzzling, though is, why some officers in the military are doing this. Are their salaries and benefits not enough? Or are some of them just really greedy?

Top brass corruption

Armando Tavera, Las Pîñas City: I believe that corruption occurs only in the upper echelons of the military. Those lower in rank are just following the orders of their superiors.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: The current investigation being done may elicit some more details in answer to this question. Personally, however, I still believe that there are those in the military who have true patriotism in their hearts - their names untarnished by the alleged nefarious corruption prevailing therein; and for sure, there are thousands of them who are engaged in frontal battle against the enemies of the state and die without knowing the taste and even the meaning of the alleged pabaon in the high echelons of the AFP. If it that were true, woe to them!

Felix Ramento, USA: Yes, matagal na yan. And because the “sirs” and “ma’ams” of the tribe want to outdo each other, the loot each time has gotten bigger. But, I believe, we still have many good soldiers and officers in and out of the service who suffer from the mess now operating in the military.

The court is the proper venue

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: It’s a given since there have been reports of widespread corruption in the military. But, to my belief, the latter has no monopoly of this monkey business. Records would tend to show that other government entities are not far behind in this lucrative business. However, in fairness, all accusations or expose, unless proven by supporting documents or corroborated in any court proceedings, would be mere innuendoes, intrigues (showbiz turf), character assassination, perjury and the like. Accusers must go directly to a trial court. Often, Senate hearings almost always lead to a trial by publicity, which may have led to Gen. Reyes’ tragic ending.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Absolutely. The legislative inquiry into Gen. Garcia’s plea bargaining agreement apparently opened a barrel full of slimy worms within the AFP, instigated by a vindictive Sen. Jinggoy Estrada targeting the unfortunate Sec. Angelo Reyes, helped along by a military insider, Col. Rabusa. Whether Col. Rabusa is really motivated by his quest for truth, only time will tell. The saying “It takes a thief to catch a thief” and the more emphatic “Galit ang magnanakaw sa kapwa magnanakaw”will aptly and vividly describe the whole proceedings.

Raymar Gurrea, Bacolod City: Yes, if all those allegations are substantiated with proof and concrete evidence. Our courts do not believe in hearsay alone.

Ask Jeeves

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Ask JPE.

Nimrod Hetfield, Manila: Sa Abu Sayyaf mo itanong yan.

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