Covering military corruption: Investigative and explanatory pieces led the way
Background and investigative reports
Much of the needed background and context were found in special news organizations such as Newsbreak, PCIJ, and VERA Files.
As Garcia’s case continued to heat up in January, Newsbreak listed documents and verified information on. These included the organization’s first reports on the controversy; his and his family’s trips abroad including the Dec. 2003 incident when his two sons went to the United States and were apprehended by US customs for failing to declare $100,000 they had with them; the bank deposits and properties of the Garcias; and the Commission on Audit investigation led by Mendoza (“Here’s a list of Gen. Garcia’s ‘sins’, Jan. 25). Newsbreak also recounted its expose on the unexplained wealth of Jacinto Ligot, Garcia’s predecessor in the comptrollership post. (“Ex-AFP ‘bagman names bosses in fund scams”, Jan. 27)
Writing for the Inquirer in Jan. 2007, VERA Files exposed in a three-part special how the AFP Modernization Program has become a magnet for graft in the military and the questionable cash transfers of the United Nations peacekeeping fund (“AFP modernization drive sputters, Jan. 8; “Favored suppliers bag AFP deals”, Jan. 9; “RP peacekeepers dealt ‘unkindliest cut of all”, Jan. 10).
As part of a four-part special in February, PCIJ noted that despite the numerous complaints of alleged payoffs to or other fund irregularities involving military officials filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, the graft agency’s performance in solving and prosecuting erring officials has been poor. (“Ombudsman a failure, despite flood of funds”, Feb. 6)
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