Probe sought on P197M given to AFP during 2004 elections By Pat C. Santos 08/21/2011

Probe sought on P197M given to AFP during 2004 elections

By Pat C. Santos 08/21/2011
The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Commission on Audit (CoA) to investigate the P197 million election fund given to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the 2004 elections.

The call came amid revelations in the Mayuga report on the possible misuse of the election funds. Bayan said based on interviews, the bulk of the funds was not used for AFP units doing election duties, but by the intelligence units of the AFP, Bayan said in a prepared statement.

The funds came from the Comelec when it deputized the AFP for election duties in some areas in the provinces. The funds were supposed to cover expenses of TF HOPE headquarters, operational expenses, missions and reservists.

In his interview with the Mayuga panel, then Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia who headed the Task Force Honest Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) suggested that the AFP review how the huge election funds were spent and what was spent did not come close to the amount that was released..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110821met1.html