GUDANI TESTIMONY A CALL TO CONSCIENCE

The members of the AFP should now examine their conscience to discern what is right and what is wrong, what is moral and what is legal, what is honorable and what is dishonorable in the light of the revelations under oath of Marine General Francisco Gudani before the Senate hearing today.

Was the AFP prostituted during the election period last year to protect the political interest of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Binababoy ba ang AFP?

Should an officer follow his superior officers even if the orders are illegal and against the Honor Code?

Is it correct to ax a general for complying with the summons of the Senate and promote a general for complying with the improper instructions of a COMELEC commissioner?

As a former member of the AFP and as the outgoing chairman of the House Committee on National Defense, I mourn for the AFP and its officers and personnel who I am sure are in the depths of a moral dilemma upon hearing Gudani’s revelations.

Gen. Senga’s refusal to appear before the Senate is tantamount to contempt of the Senate and the entire Congress. His sacking of Gen. Gudani for appearing before the Senate is a defiance of the Senate and could trigger a constitutional crisis and more.

The President’s order prohibiting members of the executive branch including the AFP from appearing in congressional probes is an assault on Congress and will trigger a constitutional crisis. It is an act of a desperate President who now sees her stonewall crumbling before the force of the truth bared by officers of conscience like Gen. Gudani. This order is unprecedented in the recent history of the relationship between Congress and the executive branch.

By ordering the court martial of Gen. Gudani, Gen. Senga may wittingly or unwittingly be participating in a cover-up. Gen. Senga should re-assess the implications of his action against Gudani.

This is a terrible period for the AFP.

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