DAVIDE
MANILA,
FEBRUARY 11, 2011 (TRIBUNE)
Philippine Truth Commission Chairman Hilario Davide, formerly the Philippine
permanent representative to the United Nations, has some explaining to do
regarding the multimillion-dollar fund transfers yearly from the UN for the
maintenance of the country's peacekeeping contingents.
Ironically, the head of the truth body might be compelled in Congress to
reveal the truth behind the disposition of the UN funds, which if left hanging,
will be the source of another embarrassment for the country and the likelihood
that the UN may start thinking twice about tapping the country for future
peacekeeping missions.
Because it certainly is embarrassing for a Philippine ambassador to the UN to
be getting part of the UN funds which should have gone to the soldiers — at
least through the national treasury first, since the military also cannot be
trusted to hand that money over to our soldiers in these peacekeeping areas who
volunteer, precisely for a bigger pay, despite harm coming their way.
The military brass, on their own, cut the pay of these Filipino peacekeepers
in half — a complaint which was already aired years ago by the soldiers, but
which complaint has apparently not been heeded, either by the military,
Malacañang or even Davide at the UN.
The public hearings held in the House of Representatives over the UN funds
revealed two distinct facts: That there was a presidential directive requiring
the fund to be deposited to the national treasury before being disbursed to the
Armed Forces of the Philippines for the use of peacekeeping soldiers and that
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) withheld the funds on the pretext that
Davide found out about a likely anomaly in its use within the AFP. Yet that is
not within his and the DFA's province to withhold the funds — anomaly or not.
The DFA was being blamed for allowing the AFP to have direct access to the
fund, which apparently was a request within the military hierarchy and was later
found out in Congress hearings that these were made part of the conversions
going on in the institution where generals earn their pabaons and pasalubongs.
Davide in withholding the funds indicated that he had at least a hint of the
corrupt practices but he and the DFA did not raise it to higher authorities.
At that time, it was Gloria who was Commander-in-Chief and it would appear
futile to blow the whistle about this irregularity to her, but Davide could have
done something more meaningful than withhold the money.
Of all people, Davide, a former Chief Justice who was an accomplice in
bringing the blight of Gloria to the nation, could have sought Gloria's
intervention to have the practice stopped or the greed "moderated" as former
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri would put it, to spare the UN funds
which are badly needed by Filipino soldiers who are on foreign tours.
What Davide decided to do, however, would shame King Solomon. He deposited
the UN money in New York, which would be another violation of the conduct in the
disposition of the funds probably both with the UN and government rules.
The withholding of the funds, that are used to reimburse the AFP for the
upkeep of Filipino peacekeepers, could also be the reason for the sudden slash
in the compensation of soldiers chosen for the foreign tours.
Davide had the foresight that the irregularity in the diversion of the UN
funds would blow up in the future and withholding the funds was apparently meant
to save his hide from being complicit in the plunderous practice? Duh.
He should be held accountable for being an accessory in not doing anything
more to stop the shameful act.
At least, he should be made to appear before Congress to explain to the
people why through all these years he chose to be silent about the whole issue.
And he's supposed to head the body to ferret out truth.
Chief News Editor:
Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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