‘Hello Garci’ general, 25 others get CA nod

Before he was confirmed, Brig. Gen. Pedro Sumayo answered several questions on his involvement in the scandal particularly on wiretapping the phones of then-President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilo Garcillano. (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA— The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of 25 generals and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including a general involved in the controversial “Hello Garci” scandal during the 2004 presidential elections.

Before he was confirmed, Brig. Gen. Pedro Sumayo answered several questions on his involvement in the scandal particularly on wiretapping the phones of then-President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilo Garcillano.

It may be recalled that the scandal involved a conversation between Arroyo and Garcillano were election results were rigged in Arroyo’s favor.

Grilling came mostly from Senators Panfilo Lascon and Gringo Honasan who questioned the intention of wiretapping and reprimanded him, who was lieutenant colonel for the AFP’s Intelligence Service that time, for allowing it to happen.

Sumayo said that he was aware of alleged wiretapping, which he said, was not part of their operations that time.

He further said that a military probe on the wiretapping incident was conducted but he did not know the results because he had moved to another unit.

The general, meanwhile, vowed to the CA that wiretapping will never happen again.

“I assure sir that that will never happen again sir, my job now is to defend the network and the infrastructure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Sumayo said.

Below is the list of officers confirmed by the Commission on Appointments:

1. Carlito Galvez Jr. to the rank of Lieutenant General
2. Danilo Rodelas to the rank of Rear Admiral
3. Allan Ferdinand Cusi to the rank of Rear Admiral
4. Arnel Dela Vega to the rank of Major General
5. Jess Estoesta to the rank of Brigadier General
6. Perfecto Rimando Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
7. Francisco Mendoza Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
8. Arnulfo Matanguihan to the rank of Brigadier General
9. Melquides Ordiales to the rank of Brigadier General
10. Manolo Samarita to the rank of Brigadier General
11. Emmanuel Salamat to the rank of Major General
12. Glorivine Dida to the rank of Brigadier General
13. Ramiro Manuel Rey to the rank of Brigadier General
14. Nixon Fortes to the rank of Brigadier General
15. Raniel Ramiro to the rank of Brigadier General
16. Robert Empedrad to the rank of Rear Admiral
17. Felipe Beljar to the rank of Brigadier General
18. Pedro Sumayo to the rank of Brigadier General
19. Ronnie Evangelista to the rank of Major General
20. Felicisimo Budiongan to the rank of Brigadier General
21. Henrico Rennaldo Macalalad to the rank of Brigadier General
22. Jose Faustino Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
23. Lope Dagoy to the rank of Brigadier General
24. Erickson Gloria to the rank of Brigadier General
25. Ernesto Lopena to the rank of Brigadier General
26. Pelagio Valenzuela to the rank of Brigadier General.