It seems Esperon does not have the defense portfolio in the bag yet. Sources said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is resisting being moved like a piece in chess to another post (Justice?) just to accommodate Esperon. Is this declaration of willingness to talk about “Hello Garci” a veiled threat to the mastermind and beneficiary of the 2004 election fraud?
By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net
Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he is willing to testify at legislative inquiries into the so-called “Hello Garci” election fraud scandal after he retires, but only if the proceedings are “reasonable.”
Esperon, who will retire May 9, was linked to the alleged cheating operations in the 2004 elections after his name was mentioned in purported wiretapped conversations of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, after whom the controversy was named.
He is the last of four generals mentioned in the tape to retire from the military service.
“If I will be called to a hearing, I would attend it if I find it reasonable, meaning I would be advised on what questions will be asked so that I could also be prepared,” he told a news conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
“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.
In the so-called “Hello Garci” tapes, it was implied that Esperon had a hand in the relief of Brigadier General Francisco Gudani as chief of the 1st Marine Brigade in Marawi City, for allegedly supporting Arroyo’s chief rival, movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., who died seven months after the bitterly contested elections.
Maintaining his innocence, Esperon said that as deputy chief of staff for operations during the 2004 election period, he had no power to relieve Gudani.
Esperon spoke to reporters during a break from a command conference in Camp Aguinaldo. Among the attendees was Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Balutan, Gudani’s former battalion commander.
Gudani and Balutan testified before a Senate investigation into the alleged cheating operations in September 2005. They were investigated for possible court martial for testifying without permission from the military leadership.
As Esperon answered questions on the “Hello Garci” controversy, Balutan was seen smiling before he drank water from a glass.
Transcript of the “Hello Garci” portion in Esperon’s presscon:
Q:You think “Hello Garci” issue will die down with your
retirement?
A:I can even answer you na, I could go back to my answers about the Garci tape, so called Garci tape. Di ba sinabi dun na I was responsible for relieving GeneGudani, that’s where my name was heard. I was j3 of the Armed forces of the phils in 2003. The j3 has nothing to do with the reliefs of brigade commanders .I was not a member of the board of generals so that’s where my name came in.
Q: So this means, if senate will ask for an inquiry about this after you retire, would you attend to clear, to say senate under oath what your telling us?
A: 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, hindi yung tatawagin ka dun, hindi namn alam kung anong tatanuning sa yo. I believe the rules of the hearings would, there is a current debate now on whether they have been published or not so 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 also so as an officer of the armed forces
of the phils, if it is a democratic process then I will go for it, we have always upheld the democratic processes, the rule of law.
I’d like correct Esperon.
The conversation between Garcillano and a certain Gene took place on June 8, 2004, not in 2003. They were referring to activities in the May 2004 elections.
“…I would be advised on what questions will be asked so that I could also be prepared,”- Esperon
Why the preparation if he’d be telling the truth? Kahit saan ipaikot ang tanong kng katotohanan ang sasabihin ay hindi kailangan ang ensayo. Lokohin mo ang amo-partner mo!
Truth and justice are two words alien to the Ass and big time lying flows in his arteries. There is no need for the Ass to testify about the Hello Garci, the truth of his evil participation was already caught in the tapes. Alam na yan ng kamunduhan.
Asspweron will bring Hello Garci and his loyalty to Korap Gloria to the grave. Patay na ‘yan ay ipagtatanggol pa ang impakta.
Ginagawa ni Asspweron na tanga ang lahat ng pinoy. Kailan siya magreretiro e papunta siyang DND. Hangga’t nasa pwesto si Korap Gloria ay tiyak nasa tadyang s’ya.
Ano na nga pala ang nangyari sa magigiting na Gen. Gudani at Lt.Col. Balutan?
That’s plain and simple blackmail to get the DND Post. The civilian and military officials in GMA government have long been using this “blackmail” to get what they wanted from GMA.
Off topic: Enrile wants to drop RP’s claim on Spratlys? This old dog is getting old indeed. He’s just echoing the position of Malacanang that succumbed to the pressure of China. What the old dog fails to understand is that RP is not claiming the disputed islands but only those already occupied and close to our territories. The Kalayaan islands are already occupied by our troops; but in between “Kalayaan” and Palawan are some small islands China doesn’t want us to include. That’s ridiculous! Imagine, we’re being asked to drop the territories within Palawan yet we have Kalayaan Islands that are farther. Why can’t we claim those in between the two we own?
…Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday said the Spratlys or Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) should be dropped from any proposed bill redefining the country’s archipelagic baseline.
“As far as the baseline is concerned, you cannot include that (Spratlys) because that is not yet a settled territory of the Philippines. We claim it but other countries dispute it,” he said.
Sinabi mo pa, bitchevil. The Ass employs blackmail often to get what he wants. Takot naman ang bitch.
The Evil is blackmailing the Bitch.
“What the old dog (Enrile) fails to understand is that RP is not claiming the disputed islands but only those already occupied and close to our territories”. – bitchevil
Can’t teach old dog new tricks. Yuko, your uncle needs to examine his brains, wala nang turnilyo.
Enrile, just like his master at the Palace, is surrendering the entire Philippines to the foreigners.
Chi, you were asking about Lt. Col. Alex Balutan? He is mentioned in the last three paragraphs of the article above.
Gudani is retired. I understand he is active in a Christian Fellowship group. He is also helping younger officers.
Chi: Why the preparation if he’d be telling the truth? Kahit saan ipaikot ang tanong kng katotohanan ang sasabihin ay hindi kailangan ang ensayo. Lokohin mo ang amo-partner mo!
******
Ganyan din ang sinasabi ko sa mga kriminal na inimbestigahan namin. Sabi ko sa kanila, magsabi lang sila ng totoo at pagsisihan ang kasalanang ginawa nila sa pamamagitan ng pag-amin nila. No need for me to dictate to them what to say to the police. Gago talaga ang mga utak. I hope it is not being typical Filipino but simply being some typical criminal like the criminal squatting at the palace by the murky river.
As for Enrile, Chi, tama ka. Kung kailan pa tumanda saka pa lalong naging bugok. Hindi siya interesado sa Spratlys kasi walang gubat doon at hindi siya puedeng mag-logging! 😛
Thanks, Ellen. Curious lang ako kay Lt.Col. Alex Balutan kung nasa active service pa siya.
Migosh! Nagsalita iyong inutil na DOJ Secretary daw. Talo daw ang Pilipinas hindi pa man nakikiguerra sa China!
Bakit alam niyang matatalo ang Pilipinas? Kasi amenado siya na puro duwag ang nilagay ni Gloria Dorobo na inuuto niya sa AFP? May ISAFP intelligence daw pero puro tsismis lang wala namang ginagawang matino. Is that it?
Gago din ano? Pero take kailan ba nanalo sa guerra ang mga intsik para matakot si Raul Gonggonzales at hindi pa man ay surrender na sila sa Tsina? Ulol talaga! Meron na bang instrument of surrender na ipinahanda si Gloria Dorobo? Just curious.
This guy should be investigated and charged with treason by all means!
Tsk, tsk, Sec Teodoro, why did you not listen when you were forewarned by those close to you (on the DND position) that you only be used as a pawn by Gloria ? Could it be because of the greed for power that could have superceded the advice of seasoned politicians close to you ? I hope you realize that you are headed nowhere in this game of Gloria’s musical chairs. Tsk, tsk. Greed took the better part of you. Sayang.
Inuunahan na ni Raul Gunggonzales na matatalo ang Pilipinas sa guerra with China para siguro huwag magulat ang mga pilipino kapag inakupa na ng Tsina ang Pilipinas. Heaven forbid! Ano kaya ang gagawin ng US of A pag nangyari ito?
Sa totoo lang siguro sukang suka na si evil bitch kay asspweron kaya lang wala siyang magawa. Mahirap na talaga kung malaki ang utang mo sa isang tao masahol pa sa 5/6 ang kabayaran! Habang nasa pwesto si evil bitch, nasa pwesto pa rin si asspweron! Nananakot si asspweron tungkol sa “Hello Garci” dahil siya ay isa sa mga utak ng talamak na nakawan ng boto para kay evil bitch! The evil bitch knows it and asspweron since then leveraged on this! Partners in crime, indeed! In the Mafia gang, walang lumalabas sa gang ng buhay! They both deserve each other. Talagang, “Till death do us part” and dalawang ito!
Sayang nga talaga si Teodoro. What a wasted talent! He does not have the pull as strong as asspweron! The evil bitch have to continue with her musical chair to make sure that asspweron has indeed a big chair until the end of her term. Ang galing talaga ng maniobra ni asspweron! Ikinulong niya ang mga magigiting na opisyal at siya na pinakamaruming cheat of staff ay nagpapakasasa sa kapangyarihan at pera. Baka nga naman hindi pa kuntento si asspweron sa bilyones na bayad sa kanya ni evil bitch(through billions of funds given to the military during his term from housing to modernization of the AFP kuno!).
Yuko, ang Spratly’s siguro talaga ang kabayaran ng mga utang (kasama na ang malalaking tongpats) si evil bitch sa China. Itong mga gungGongzales at ulianing Enrile ay walang mga pakialam dahil malapit na sila sa kanilang mga hukay! Pareho ng due to expire pati na si mr wetness apostol! They will shelve this bill until mawala ang galit ng mga tao sa kakulangan ng bigas! Sa ngayon ang galit ng mga tao ay sukdulan na! It is just a matter of time before their anger would explode! The evil bitch and her tongressmen are just waiting for a good timing to do another “killing”! But for sure it will be soon. Kailangan lang siguro ng “padulas” sa bawat isa. With the absence of impeachment for now, tuyong tuyo ang bulsa ng mga tongressmen. Kailangan nila ng delihensiya. Babawi sila sa mga makabuluhang “bill” kay evil bitch. Marunong din sila ng “blackmail”. Hindi lang si asspweron nag marunong ng taktikang yan!
I think Gudani is a member of Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s Jesus is Lord.
Hi Bitcheveil, I think Gen. Gudani is also involved in the Christian fellowship of the AFP called JOSHUA (Jesus Offers Salvation, Hope and Unity to Afp). I have a book written even before the Garci saga where he was featured along with other celebrities like Gary V., Dulce, Coney Reyes, Eddie V etc. The title of the book is This Is My Story and it’s about the testimonies of these people who were spiritually transformed by God to another level. Gen. Gudani chose to obey God rather than his superiors by telling the truth and I believe that he along with Lt. Col. Balutan are credible witnesses to the Garci controversy. If Esperon testifies, between his word and Gudani, its a no brainer.
Ano kaya ang “reasonable” kay asspweron? siguro ang favorite song niya ay “MY WAY”.
The Olympic torch has proven once more that chinese blood is thicker. Apparently all chinese expats are ‘sleepers’. The Australian sinos received ‘orders to follow’ to protect the torch. The world is now becoming the chinese globe like the south china sea its chinese lake only pala.
I also wonder what kind of demo-“crazy” asspweron is referring to. The Hitler style he and the evil bitch practice is hardly an indication of democracy.
Valdemar, almost all places in the world have “made in China” products. Yes, China has globally promoted itself. Almost all the prime real estate areas in the US like San Francisco and Los Angeles are already in the ownership of the Chinese. In Canada, Toronto is mostly Chinese dominated now. One way or the other, Chinese are succesful not just in selling their products worldwide but expanding their holdings as well.
Iyong mga patrimonies ng Pilipinas ang isa pang pinag-iinitan ng mga magnanakaw sa Malacanang. This should be stopped. Salamat na lang doon sa mga negotiators na hapon ng Reparations Treaty for the clause in the treaty that they made sure would be included, iyong tungkol sa karapatan ng bawat pilipino na ipaglaban ang karapatan nilang angkinin para sa bayan ang mga patrimonies, etc. na ibinayad ng Hapon sa Pilipinas. Buti na lang intact ang records ng mga hapon na kahit na anong hocus-pocus ang gawin ni Gloria Dorobo, labas ang baho nila.
Chance na ninyong ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga pilipino sa binabalak namin paghahain ng kaso labang sa Arroyo government tungkol sa mga properties ng Pilipinas sa Japan na ibig waldasin ng utangerang magnanakaw na iyan!
Gising na mga tulog bago kayo gutumin ng husto ng ungas hanggang sa hindi na kayo makatayo.
ito na nga lidership na sinasabi nila. kendi para sa job well done, kamay na bakal para sa mga pasaway.
ayon, mukhang ayaw mabigyan ng kendi, dadaanin sa bantang iiyak-bata.
kumanta ka na lang kasi ng maayos. hindi lang kendi hangarin mo, mas importante ang kaluluwa mo.
PSB,
When I buy things now, I made sure to look at the label. I don’t buy Chinese products if I can help it.
I was supposed to go Beijing and watch one or two games of the Olympics, but I have cancelled my reservations. I realized bakit ko ba tutulungang yumaman ang mga iyan.
It has nothing to do with prejudice against the Chinese, mind you especially after I’ve found out that my Mom is part Cantonese, too, and two of my best friends are from Shanghai. Medyo di ko lang gusto iyong mga taga-Beijing. Mas malapit ako sa mga Cantonese—blood is thicker than water apparently. Pinaka-best friend ko, Cantonese from Thailand.
I just thought na medyo yumayabang na itong mga intsik sa biglang taas nila. Maski kaibigan kong intsik na kasama ko sana sa Beijing Olympics, nag-cancel na din. Buddhist kasi siya and a sympathizer of the Dalai Lama.
Ang KAPAL ni esspweron! He will be honored daw na maging DND secretary if it will be offered to him! Hoy makinig ka ass, between Teodoro and you, no contest! I will take Teodoro over you! The evil bitch will be stupid not to realize that but of course, she has a humungos debt to pay to the ass. That’s that!
Ganun pala ang democratic process para kay Esperon!
Kung gusto niya ang tanong, sasagutin niya ito. Kung hindi niya gusto ang tanong kasi maiipit siya pati ang reyna niya, hindi siya sasagot.
Ang mga gago nga naman ano!?
Gago talaga kahit na kailan!
While it may seem remarkable for Gilbert Teodoro to turn down the offer for a position at the justice department, it is also disturbing to see him invoke executive privilege at the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking investigation conducted by the house. He says he “needs to seek the guidance of Arroyo”. What a turn-off! I bet the only reason he rejects being moved elsewhere is because he believes he would look much better as the secretary of the Department of National Defense. A real macho trip, folks.
As for Esperon’s willingness to testify at the “Hello Garci” inquiries, Ha! We all know of his condition prior to his giving a testimony. (…that I would be advised on what questions will be asked so that I could also…blah-blah-blah-yakity-yak) He actually had the gall to impose that condition! What does he take us for? Esperon went on further and said that he had no hand in Brig. Gen. Gudani’s ouster. Really now! The military didn’t even wait for Gen. Gudani’s retirement which was due the following year. They eased him out of service and forfeited all his retirement benefits. I recall seeing in the news how they forcefully evicted Brig. Gen. Gudani from his house at Camp Aguinaldo. They pried open the lock of his front door, removed all of his household goods and personal effects, and stacked them up on the street. One of the media men covering the event asked the officer in charge why such thing was done to Brig. Gen. Gudani, the answer was that his term of occupancy for that particular house had already expired and that the place has been assigned to another military personnel. No protocol was observed in the removal of his personal possessions. Though I was not personally involved in that barbaric move, I felt very embarrassed towards him. My biggest surprise came when I saw and heard Brig. Gen. Gudani answer a question in a television interview. He was asked how he felt after all these things had happened to him as a result of telling the people the truth about massive cheating in the last presidential elections. He just smiled and answered in a mild mannered voice saying, “It’s just a small price to pay for the truth”. Brig. Gen. Gudani is a Christian. A born again. That makes the difference. The bible says in John 8:44 (Jesus talking) “You belong to your father, the devil, and he was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Brig. Gen. Gudani chose not to be a part of this family of liars and murderers. Gen. Gudani chose correctly. I’m happy that there still are some men in uniform and in the government service whose integrity cannot be compromised. Whose moral fiber cannot be bent. Whose spirit cannot be broken. These men are most worthy of respect. I would also like to extend the just mentioned compliments to Senator Trillanes and all the military men still in detention. Maj. Gen. Miranda, Brig. Gen. Lim, Col. Querubin, Maj. Doctolero, Maj. Aquino, Capt. Faeldon and to all the other junior officers still in detention. Mabuhay kayong lahat! Ituloy ang laban!
George,
Very good comments !
I agree with you on Sec Teodoro. It’s really all about greed, George. He broke ties with those that mattered & thought that going on his own would lead him to his heaven..look we’re his at today. His heaven turned out to be hell. Gloria is synonymous to evil.
If Esperon’s eyes are fixed on the top job at the DND will he get it?
What Esperon wants, Esperon gets and by any means. He has just thrown a strike to the evil bitch as a reminder. Between the two, Teodoro and Esperon, the later has the edge; he still has some aces in his sleeves that will force the hand of the bitch, while the former has nothing. As things cleared up, Esperon will be the one left standing, but if the evil bitch wants things as is she will be forced to give him another extension as the COS. And if that happens, maybe this time around, the other generals will make their noises be heard, their disgust be known and their disapproval and displeasure be shown and visible.
Esperon might want to testify against himself…