April 29, 2005

Santiago denies P8M rap; Abu OKs filing of complaint

By Dona Pazzibugan and Nelson F. Flores
April 29, 2005
Page A2


ARMED Forces chief Gen. Efren Abu has approved the filing of a graft complaint against former chief of staff, retired Gen. Dionisio Santiago, with the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with allegations that he pocketed P8 million intended for the repair of a swimming pool in Camp Aguinaldo.

A report by the AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability said Santiago "defrauded the government" when he deposited a check worth P8 million into his personal account two months after he retired.

Santiago held the post from Nov. 28, 2002 to April 3, 2003.

"As far as OESPA matters are concerned, my job is ministerial," Abu said yesterday when asked about his action on the recommendation. "I have full trust and confidence" in Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Ariston Delos Reyes, the concurrent chief of the office that investigated the retired general.

But Santiago, now executive director of the Dangerous Drugs Board, yesterday denied that he took the money, saying his "conscience is clear."

According to Santiago, he did not benefit from any transaction during his four-month stint as chief of staff. He added that he may have "fast-tracked" some contracts to ensure their early completion but did not take a single centavo.

"All I want is for the projects to be finished the soonest possible time for the benefit of my men," said Santiago, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy in 1970. He added that "he will face the charges anywhere, anytime."

Records showed that the AFP Commissioned Officers Country issued a check to Santiago on March 4, 2003 for the swimming pool's renovation. Santiago, however, kept the check and paid the contractor himself.

On June 2, 2003, nearly two months after he retired, Santiago deposited the check into his account at the Centennial Bank Central Office. He only returned that check to AFPCOC last February when an investigation got underway.

In a letter last Feb. 24 to the AFPOESPA chief, Santiago insisted that there was nothing irregular in the improvements made in the swimming pool. But he admitted that "it was a mistake to hold on to the money" and to pay the contractor himself.

However, the AFPOESPA said Santiago was still liable for graft even if the former chief of staff returned the check. With a report from Emman Cena, trainee