Lawmakers seek House probe on Balikatan fund mess

MANILA, Philippines - Militant lawmakers asked Monday the House of Representatives to provide protection for the military officer who blew the whistle on the alleged misuse of the 2007 RP-US Balikatan funds as they sought the chamber's investigation into the scandal.

Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, and Neri Colmenares filed House Resolution No. 1159, while Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, Anakpawis Representatives Rafael Mariano and Joel Maglunsod, and Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino filed HR 1160.

Aside from seeking a probe into the use of the P46-million fund, both resolutions asked the House to extend assistance and provide protection to Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Gadian, who exposed the supposed anomaly, and to her extended family.

"Being a woman and a mother who has nothing to gain and everything to lose for standing up against the powerful and corrupt in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), Gadian is now the subject of a vilification campaign by the AFP and alleged threats to her life. Gadian needs the utmost and immediate protection as a whistleblower, including her immediate family," the lawmakers from Bayan Muna said in their resolution.

“An immediate and thorough investigation on this alleged corruption involving high-ranking military officers should start now in order to bring to justice those who are accountable. Gadian should be encouraged to speak instead of being gagged and harassed as her exposé concerns the very controversial US-RP Balikatan exercises," Maza said in a statement.

Gadian earlier claimed that part of P46 million fund for the Balikatan military exercises in 2007 went to the pockets of some officials. However, retired Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo - who headed the military’s Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) at the time and Gadian's former superior - denied the allegations, saying it is Gadian who is currently under investigation over the missing funds. - Jam Sisante, GMANews.TV