A defense undersecretary who was investigating two cases of irregularities involving high-ranking defense officials was peremptorily dismissed two weeks ago.
De los Reyes, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy’s class of 1971, is known in military circles as upright and incorruptible. He sent his email to the class egroup.
With his sudden termination, De los Reyes is worried about the fate of the two cases he was handling. One involved an undersecretary who is under investigation for dishonesty and another, an assistant secretary for illegal possession of munition.
“I hope the PAGC will conduct the investigation of the case. I have noted with great concern the biased and subjective investigations recently conducted by some officials of the Department,” he said in his letter.
De los Reyes said that he has always endeavored to use government funds properly and wisely.
“‘No hanky panky’ was my constant guidance/frequent reminder to people working with me. I believe in the principle of setting the example. Professionalism in the military and in the bureaucracy is a must. I have always been supportive of genuine reforms in government. The doctrine of completed staff work had helped me a lot both in office and field duties,” De los Reyes said.
Read De los Reyes’ letter in full here (VERA Files)
ganyan talaga ang nangyayari sa mga ayaw sumunod sa kagustuhan ng amo. kailangan bulag ka sa mga anomalya para maging kapanalig ka katulad ni merceditas gutierrez ng ombudsman.
He is not the most “exciting” naval officer there was around, i.e., very slow and very deliberate in everything he did, stubbornly analytical to a fault but absolutely upright and honest. Absolutely clear in his accounting of his budgets too (unlike Rex Robles, who was once N-5 too), and whose current living status has always been modest (that’s because he never stole.)
He is one of those very very few officials who rose to the top echelons of the AFP without much fanfare. One may not see eye to eye with this naval officer but many people (yours truly, included) have the highest regard for his personal and professional character.
If delos Reyes said what he said in your report, then to me, he is saying the truth.
I am very surprised that Ed Ermita allowed this to happen. He has known VAdm delos Reyes from the time the latter was a captain (PN) and could have vouched for this naval officer’s personal and professional integrity.
Ed Ermita has been a thorough disappointment. Instead of aging wisely, he’s been aging disastrously.
If absolute loyalty to his uniform to a fault is a fault, then that is delos Reyes’ fault. He is what they would call in the British Royal Navy, “a navy face.”
Anna:
Delos Reyes may be upright and honest but officers in the Navy also hated him for his vindictiveness. There were a number of officers whose promotions were blocked by him even if he was no longer with the AFP. He used his position in DND to oppose the promotion of officers with whom he had differences with, would you believe, way back when they were junior officers who served under him or got ‘endorsed’ by officers close to him. This was the reason he never became FOIC. Many officers opposed his nomination. Just like his mistah, VADM Ruben Domingo, grupo lang nila ang magagaling. Serves him right.
Henry,
Funny that you said that because that’s what I somehow meant by “navy face,” i.e., inflexible, arrogant, believes in following the rule to the letter because it is how it is.
He used his position in DND to oppose the promotion of officers with whom he had differences with, would you believe, way back when they were junior officers who served under him or got ‘endorsed’ by officers close to him.
I’m sure that was part of a distinct behavioural pattern — not so much out of vengeance, but because he arrogantly believed he was right.
(That’s why he and I had some differences, despite that I believe he is honest and upright.)
Two of the major reasons why he never made FOIC:
(1) he didn’t have a strong patron (he never stood a chance against Ernie — not a chance, ask Edd, he’ll tell you.)
(2) just as I had said, he was very slow, extremely anaytical and arrogantly stubborn to a fault (believing that because he was keenly mathematical, he was superior than most), not quite possessing the command traits one needs to be FOIC.
But I think, one of the reasons too that he didn’t make FOIC was also because he didn’t quite complete his command badge (not sure anymore.)
Ruben Domingo, on the other hand is another kettle of fish. The man, I think, to the end of his service, thought and acted like he had “Stockholm Syndrome”.
As far as vindictiveness is concerned in the service, let me tell you that I know a lot of your upperclassmen who became major service commanders and the first act they did was just that: made sure those guys who had differences with them never climbed the ladder.
And can tell you right now that idiotic, out-of-his-depth Pio C Class 63 (one of the worst FOICs the navy ever had) became FOIC because someone was vindictive and made sure that the fellow who had been previously recommended by the Board of Generals wouldn’t make it so Pio who was not really the initial recommendee instead got the job.
In the Royal Navy, “navy face” is not a compliment.
Anna:
I understand the militics behind the designation of FOICs but by Joe, does USEC in the DND like Riot had to stoop so low that he had to block the promotion of a deserving officer just to satisfy his lust for vindictiveness? That’s why I said he had it coming. He can’t solicit sympathy from fellow officers because of this attitude. I had first hand knowledge why Pio made it as FOIC, laksitibo that he was then. I was present when Tabako asked Billy who his personal choice was. Pio it was. Apparently, Billy never forgave his mistah, Benny Matic, for signing a petition questioning Billy’s promotion to O-7. The frontrunner in the race that time, Commodore ‘Yoyoy Villame’ Divinagracia of Class 62, got embroiled in a smuggling case in Zambo. Coincidentally, Lepix Angue, of Class 78 (now Commander of NCRCOM), firgured prominently on why both Matic and Divinagracia never made FOIC. hehehe
Incorruptible? Ah, it’s good that he was removed. He didn’t belong there.
In DND, or the AFP in general, “honesty” is a four-letter word.
Henry,
Apparently, Billy never forgave his mistah, Benny Matic, for signing a petition questioning Billy’s promotion to O-7.
Not quite. Poor Benny was just collateral damage (he was lucky he remained ViceCom PN) but truth is it had something to do with the rest of Class 63 having a field day already thinking that a popular classmate of Pio’s was gonna get the job; Billy did not appreciate it at all but not at all, so when Tabako asked him, he said gotta be Pio. (Well, his reason was because Pio served under him when they were doing Subic and he knew him well but truth is our dear friend didn’t like what he had heard about then PAF CG, who was about to become top AFP honcho, and batch hatching things for the navy).
Yep — all militics.
I know about Angue. In a cyber email circulating around, I made a one line comment: “Angue is excellent at intelligence gathering.” He was greatly appreciated for that “great talent” not only by his fellow naval officers but also by 2 of Ernie’s classmates (not navy.)
Speaking of militics, do you know the reason why Divinagracia was “fired” (yeo, fired!) from his post then as NCS even when he was already touted as next FOIC, and “exiled” without fanfare to Zambo? True that it was a field command post but just the same it was an exile. Not only because he “irritated” Billy, but also because he defied (offended is more like it) his own classmate, Boy A.
Anyway, I heard that Commo D has passed away. May he rest in peace.
I understand the militics behind the designation of FOICs but by Joe, does USEC in the DND like Riot had to stoop so low that he had to block the promotion of a deserving officer just to satisfy his lust for vindictiveness?
No, shouldn’t be like that at all. But this isn’t unique to Navy, not even to AFP GHQ nor to DND. It happens all the time.
It happened to a navy captain (won’t mention his name but I’m sure you know the story very well) who spent only a couple of months or so as dep PSG (to Joey C) under Erap but who got the boot because someone was vindictive; Erap himself was “prayed upon” and so the fellow got kicked out.
Henry,
Speaking of militics again. One thing that’s always puzzled me is why Leo never made it to maj service cdr. He’s always been mum about it. What happened?
I asked Tabako but he would only smile.
Sinong Leo?
ellen, Tabako’s chief bodyguard.
Oh, Leo Alvez, who helped convince Angelo Reyes to betray the Constitution and abandon his commander in chief and has been greatly rewarded with a board seat in San Miguel Corporation.
Anna:
I don’t think that ‘Yoyoy’s’ assignment to Naval District VI, as it was known then,(it’s now NAVFORSOUTH)was an exile. It was a coveted assignment. Many Commanders became multi-millionaires after their stint there. You know why. Angue reported him for being in cahoots with smugglers. It became big news. He got axed and his dream of becoming FOIC went pfffttt. . . .
Sir aries was not vindictive. He made sure that you are clean… even at times when he was in contradiction with the Chief of Staff back then when he was Vice CS. He knew the officers well and their background (reputation) and knowing very well how the system could “protect or conceal” information— he ensures—albeit the only “remaining conscience” in the DND.
If he did block those promotions — it means theres a reason… and so the law applies to all or none at all.
Sir aries is ’71. (GMA was hostile to this class for obvious reasons) Thats why he never made FOIC. and yet despite this… he was given the USEC position for Internal Affairs… because DND NEEDED such an office … ensuring that things are in proper.
Evil triumphs when good people do nothing… Sir aries continues to be a beacon of hope of what is true and good in the continuing fading of AFP morals.
Ellen, they were classmates. He’s always been anti-Erap and was vocal about it even while he was in Nueva Ecija immediately after his Malacanang stint and Erap was just VP.
Henry,
The best money making post is with engr. Just look at Pastor. 🙂 (Now, that fella is the Navy version of Villar.)
Ellen,
Is Cong Lobregat still alive?
Ano man ang iyong gawin at labag sa patakaran ng kurakot ay sibak ang iyong kahihinatnan.Matagal ng kalakaran iyan sa bansang ating sinilangan.Kaya hanggang ngayon ay di tayo umunlad dahil sa ating ugaling pakikisama kahit ikakasama ng karamihan ng ating kababayan.Pati ang mga susunod pang lahi ay nagdurusa dahil sa ating paguugaling labag sa sampung utos ng ating dakilang lumikha.
Anna, re #20.
Congresswoman Clara Lobregat has passed away. Her son,Celso, is the incumbent congressman of Zamboanga.
Based from DND sources, VAdm Delos Reyes was not ‘unceremoniously’ relieved due to the investigations against erring officials – not at all…here’s what happened as several sources corroborated: the relief was triggered by a series of events that started when on one particular day early this month, VAdm Delos Reyes implemented an office eviction order vs that Asec whom VAdm Delos Reyes mentioned in his ‘report’ to his class. Well, could have been just like any ordinary ‘eviction day’ except that:
1. The Asec concerned was out on official travel with SND in the south at the time of the ‘raid’. The SND was naturally offended specially so that he (SND) was not even given prior information by VAdm Delos Reyes about the plan as a matter of courtesy;
2. VAdm Delos Reyes employed (ordered is more like it) the Defense Intelligence and Security Group (DISG) personnel without also even informing the Group Commander who was also with SND that day (also a peemayer). DISG is supposed to be a personal ‘unit/staff’ of the SND therefore VAdm Delos Reyes has no direct authority over DISG’s deployment;
3. To make matters worse, VAdm Delos Reyes ‘unnecessarily’ sought the intervention of the Executive Secretary (Sec Mendoza, not Sec Ermita anymore) to resolve the issue effectively bypassing the SND.
Question: If you’re the SND what will you do? Well, the ES made the decision easier for him.
Arrogant? Stubborn? Vindictive? Yes and more…That’s why he was also ‘pre-maturedly’ pulled out from his stint as TF 61 Cmdr in Zamboanga.
Thanks, Ellen.
Maryosep, ganyan pala ang ego niyang mga “lalaki” sa military establishment. Mas sensitive pa sa dahong makahiya.
Hummer, anong klaseng pagiisip ang mga tao sa military.
He got offended that the room which he used to occupy was opened while he was out with SND? Read the letter of VAdm de los Reyes. He “was relieved from that office almost two years ago but he continued to use the room as storage for his belongings.”
What kind of setup is that?
Read further de los Reyes letter: “I had to order the transfer of said belongings after he failed to remove them from his former room despite previous verbal and written advice. The room was earmarked for a Director assigned to said office since February 18.”
In fact that the director had been “squatting” in other people’s offices because that room had not been cleared.
You stated that “The Asec concerned was out on official travel with SND in the south at the time of the ‘raid’.”
So, does that make him untouchable because he was with SND?
Macario Sakay, ang tanong mo “anong klaseng pagiisip ang mga tao sa military”. Unang-una halatang halata ang bias mo vs military. Nais ko lang ipaalala sa yo na hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo ng mga military-ng meron matinong pagiisip at damdamin upang ikaw at ako ay makatulog ng mahimbing sa gabi. Pangalawa, eto tingin ko pwede sagot sa tanong mo:
– ang iba, tulad ni Aris ’71;
– ngunit ang higit na nakararami ay ang kabaligtaran –
hindi mapang husga at higit sa lahat pantay pantay ang
tingin sa kapwa – yan ang ating military tunay na mga
tao at marunong mag bigay galang…
Pero mabalik lang ako sa usapin sa dnd, walang kinalaman ang ‘isip military’ na sinsabi pa tungkol sa insidenteng kinasankutan ni Aris ’71…ang sinasabi ng ating mga sources (na pawang mga sibilyan) ay may kinalaman sa nabanggit ni AnnaDeBrux, ang “arrogantly stubborn” attitude ni Aris ’71 nang ipadama niya sa mga kasamahan na ‘he can get away with his actions because he truly, truly believes he’s always right therefore he doesn’t need consensus in his actions and decisions’. Kahit saang organisasyon hindi tanggap ang ganuong attitude.
Now tell me, who is acting “untouchable”?
Ayon pa nga sa isang source, ang Asst Sec for Personnel (ASPER) na dati ring navy at junior officer ni Aris ’71, ay lagi na lamang ‘blindsided’ dahil pag mayroon ‘concern’ sa mga AFP personnel assigned sa DND, malimit deretso tawag sa CSAFP si Aris ’71 sa halip na bigyan ‘courtesy’ ang kinauukulan sa DND.
On the issue of vindictiveness, Adm Delos Reyes never carried an emotional baggage for use come promotion time. He recalled a case of a navy commander who have not submitted statements of assets and liabilities for 9 years. As Chief, AFP OESPA/VCSAFP, Adm De Los Reyes directed this officer to explain which the latter failed to do. This commander was then recommended to be tried by the Efficiency and Separation Board which the then Chief of Staff, AFP approved. OESPA also forwarded the case to the OMBUDSMAN. When Adm De los Reyes retired and then appointed as USec, it did not take long for him to find out that the then FOIC, PN did not subject him to ESB. When the DND learned about this, the erring commander was deleted from the list of promotees. The following year, this commander was cleared by the Navy ESB and was recommended for promotion. This board never gave the reason why this commander did not submit his SAL for 9 years! Adm De Los Reyes said that there is no way such failure could be justified. This erring commander was a PMA graduate and should set a good example.
Adm De Los Reyes recalled another case involving another commander who received double salary for 9 years. This officer defrauded the government in the amount of P4.5 million. The Navy court-martialed him and considered him already punished when he was not promoted. This officer called on the admiral and begged that the latter concur with his retirement so he could pay back the government but that was a multiple fraud felony. The DND allowed him to retire and cannot charge the erring officer for fraud. The reason given was double jeopardy. At anyrate, Adm De los Reyes submitted the case to the OMBUDSMAN for review. This erring officer was also a PMA graduate. To Adm De Los Reyes, PMA officers should set the highest standards of honesty and efficiency in the service.
Vindictiveness? Or a manifestation of political will to keep a right always right and to right a wrong? Adm De Los Reyes bows out of government service with the thoughts that the multitudes of those he helped due to injustice or unfair treatment are more than enough to make up for black propaganda against his character. To him, honor is first and foremost.
Macario Sakay, hwag mong sabihing “anong klaseng pag iisip ang mga tao sa military?” Ang mga militar ay deliberate, mahinahon, mapagkumbaba at magalang. Yang si Ariston de los Reyes ay “feeling” napakagaling, napakalinis at napakabuti. Na ang tingin nya sa sarili nya ay sya nalang ang tagapagsalba ng military sa kumonoy ng kasamaan.
Pero sa isang banda, tingnan mo ang record nyang “butiki” na si Ariston noong sya ay nasa serbisyo pa? Ang mga anak nyan ay hatid sundo sa eskwela at bahay gamit ang sasakyan ng gobyerno, driver na sundalo na sinuswelduhan ng gobyerno, gasolina ng military. Ang asawa nyan, mag shopping gamit ang sasakyan ng gobyerno, driver ng gobyerno, gasolina ng gobyerno.
Ngayon sinasabi na si Ariston de los Reyes ay Malinis? “Mr Clean” kuno? Tingnan mo ang mga pinangbayad nyan sa mga tuition fee ng mga anak nya na pinag aral sa mga “class” na eskwelahan? Saan galing yang mga ginastos nyan? Di ba sa military. Ang anak nya na nag intern sa V. Luna ay pinabigyan nya ng sweldo ng isang Lieutenant sa loob ng isang taon. Di ba yan Graft and Corruption? HINDI MALINIS SI ARISTON.
Di ba gawaing GRAFT AND CORRUPTION YAN? Sobra lang ang pagpapahalaga ng media sa Ariston na yan. Sya nalang ang “messiah” at sya lang ang “malinis”. KALOKOHAN YAN.
Huwag niyong ibaling ang isyu to what he has raised which are documented.
The cases:Dishonesty of a USEC in the NDCP masteral course of his son
and storing of ammo in an office in the DND building.
Hi Ellen. Have been following your blog for many months now and I just want to put in my 2 cent’s worth and end my “lurking.”
May nagsabi sa akin na ang mga anak ni delos reyes ay:isa ang nag-aral sa UP Manila at dalawa naman ay sa UST. Exclusive schools na ba ang mga ito?
Paano naging graft and corruption ang pagtira nila sa bahay na official quarters naman nila? Palagay ko pasabog lang yan ng mga galamay ng mga ayaw sa kanya.
Dragging his family into this has got to be the dirtiest, most feeble, most pathetic trick in the world. That’s the best you could do to divert people’s attention from the real issues? Couldn’t find any skeletons in the closet now, could you, Mr. Malibogpa? If you truly believe in the things that you’ve been accusing Sir Aris of, then quit hiding behind such an absurd and creepy log on ID. Show us some proof of what you’ve been saying.
What government vehicles? What shopping sprees? And “class” na eskuwela? I know for a fact that his children graduated from UST and UP. Obviously, such schools are way beyond your league but do you really have to take it against the children just because they got into these schools?
Says you: “Saan galing yang mga ginastos nyan? Di ba sa military.” There’s a term for this. Oh, wait. It’s called a ‘monthly income’.
And here’s more: “Ang anak nya na nag intern sa V. Luna ay pinabigyan nya ng sweldo ng isang Lieutenant sa loob ng isang taon.” Was she? Because she had the rank of a lieutenant when she interned in that hospital.
And here’s more (oh dear, you really should have stopped. You already had us at hello): “Yang si Ariston de los Reyes ay “feeling” napakagaling, napakalinis at napakabuti.” Well, I guess he really is, compared to you and the people you are working with.
So please, Mr. Malibogpa, quit the juvenile name-calling, quit the empty accusations and most of all, quit the worn-out (un)intell tactics. You’re definitely no Tom Clancy.
Folks, it’s time to get back to the real issues.
And considering that the pyrolympics had just ended a few weeks ago, one cannot help but wonder what the purpose of the illegal munition and unexploded ordnance found in the DND premises was…
Light-a-Fire Movement PartII?
Di ba si Norberto rin ang sinasabi na utak ng glorietta blast? Baka nga may scenario na may pasasabugin na naman. Be afraid…be VERY afraid…